Red Hill Estate

Another big venue with lovely introductory gardens and what looked like a lovely restaurant which looked over the vines to Western Port beyond. A truly wonderful view. The cellar door is a large, modernised shed with a wall of produce for sale as well as other walls of Art. I thought it was a little higgledy-piggledy, bits of this and bits of that, but what do I know? Wine serving was pleasant and so was the wine. Chardonnays - good, Pinot Noirs - very good. There was an entry level version of each, then a cellar door only version, then the upper versions. I liked the drink now stuff. There was an abundance of Pinot Noirs on offer in boxes at the centre of the shed from different years, different levels and in various combinations. The one on tasting was okay but I wanted to try more. To do so I would've had to spend almost $200 buying a mixed sixpack which was a little frustrating. I'll have to keep an eye on this place and hopefully they do tasting days so I can really get to know and compare their Pinot Noirs, without having to actually buy them all!

Crittenden Estate

I could tell as I was driving up that this was a serious venue with a large carpark. So as usual with these sort of places I was already wondering whether the wines stacked up, how much focus was left on the wines and cellar door and how it would rate as a venue. You have to walk a bit from the car park to the cellar door and although there are vines to look at, it's always nicer if you are forced to walk through pretty gardens, along a cared-for path rather than across a slab of concrete. I know, I'm picky. Anyway, I opened the glass door to the large cellar door and peeked into the restaurant area on my way to the restroom. Looked nice, weeping willow views, nice lawns, that sort of thing. Back to the cellar door I noticed lots of produce on offer and had time to investigate a little and wonder if all these wines with different labels were part of this place's repertoire. And indeed they were. The tasting list had no less than five sections under different labels, all with whites and reds. I was confused. I asked the lady how tastings are done here and she said to pick the ones I liked. I wanted to point out that I don't yet know which ones I like! Since there was no order to them I found this disconcerting and I'm sure the average punter would to. I prefer to be led through the process by the all-knowledgeable counter hand. I didn't want to do any work. I had it explained, as I showed my discomfort, that there's a grown-in-Mornington label (Crittenden Estate), a Spanish grape label (Los Hermanos), an experimental label (Pinocchio), a drink now label (Geppetto) and another label that is from Europe. Well I pointed to this and that and tasted some wine. I probably tried half of what was on offer and this was probably just as well. My favourites were the Tempranillo and the Homenaje a Cataluna (both from the Los Hermanos label). There were others that were good as well but to be honest the whole experience was so confusing that I just left it at these two.

Balnarring Winery

This was a good find, open every day. A proper farm and vineyard where you honk your horn to attract attention and someone comes out to greet you. There is not effort to put on a facade here. It's a farm. You walk through a busy, messy office/lab into the large shed fillled with barrels to the roof. The tasting wines are laid out on planks of wood atop barrels. A very intimate experience where the host is with you, tasting as you go, rather than across a bench. There were some very interesting wines here including a dry white muscat which was very fruity and luscious. A grape I'd never heard of, Senza Nome produced a bizarre wine that starts off like a Sav Blanc and finishes like a Riesling. And something called Fruilano. I must admit I'm at the stage of my wine appreciation where I like having these exotic and unusual varieties to try, even if I don't know too much about them. I liked the light, only slightly wooded Chardonnay, which is rare for me - I usually go for the heavily oaked types. I liked both the Balnarring Pinot Noirs, the single clone and the blend for more complexity. And then the sweet stuff. I know that many wineries throw in a Rose or a dessert wine, maybe a late harvest Riesling to appeal to the sweet tooth who doesn't feel comfortable leaving without buying something. But these sweet wines were really good. Really good. Overall a surprisingly unique experience for an off the road tasting, with a large and interesting range of wines. Very enjoyable.

Dromana Estate

A full on winery, restaurant and gardens affair that I didn't fully explore but would like to in the future. You walk through a pretty little garden with benches (for afterward) on the way from the carpark to the establishment. The cellar door is the first room of an old looking house turned restaurant with a lovely feel and character.  But I went for the wines, of which there are many. So many that after a tasting you definitely want to sit down on one of those benches outside for a while. There are no less than four labels on offer. Mornington Estate; a very solid drink now label, Dromana Estate; a higher priced Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, "I" Range; a delightfully interesting collection of Italian varieties not rare but not common either and David Traeger; a couple of heavier reds from a winery in the Goulburn Valley. Well, where do I start? Don't dare scoff at the Mornington Estate label. The Chardonnay and Shiraz Viognier are very good (I have fond memories also of the Rose from years ago but it was sold out on this visit) but the others will appeal also depending on your tastes. I like the Dromana Estate Chardonnay but not enough to purchase (I already have a number of Chardies in my wardrobe). Both Pinot Noirs were okay. The "I" range will also appeal to the right palate; I liked the Sangiovese and especially the Nebbiolo (which I bought on my last visit also). The David Traeger Shiraz is a pure delight; heavier but soft, smooth and subtle. All wines are very well priced and definitely offer variety and drinkability to your collection.

Merricks Estate

This was a pleasant experience. Genuine article here, boxes of wine as you walk in the barn that acts as the cellar door. You fell that you are on a real farm. Get on with your tasting, select your wines, pay and move on. Not that the host won’t start talking if you are interested. Only four wines on offer but rippers they are. Already aged and reasonably priced, it would be hard to go past this little selection for the combination of value and quality. The Cab Sav is a delightful cool climate type, which, despite an obvious love for the more popular Cab Sav regions, I quite like. I’ve come across a few good cool climate Cab Savs now, in Tasmania and on the Peninsula and although they are definitely not a replacement for the traditional heavy red, I like to keep a few, treating them almost like a different grape, certainly a different style. They make for an interesting flavour to savour on their own or to join with light savoury foods, home cooked pies for instance or a meaty salad. The Shiraz is simply stunning. That rare combination of strength with finesse, multiplicity of distinct flavours flowing beautifully together with great length. Subtle but long and strong. A beauty. And the Chardonnay is another one to take home and drink. Often. These wines have been aged so are ready to drink. Don’t store them, drink them. The Pinot Noir didn’t grab me when I was there but it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if it did during a future vintage. I hope this winery keeps going for a long time so I can pluck its produce to add to the backbone of my home cupboard collection for many years to come.

Darling Park

Homely little cellar door down the road from Port Phillip. Lounge suit, coffee table, kids toys and fireplace – you’d think you were visiting old friends. Cosy, warm and welcoming. A couple of poodles scamper around while you get your bearings and settle in for the tasting, which, I have to say, was rather surprising. The sparkling was enjoyable but the Pinot Gris was one the best, if not the best I’ve had on the Peninsula. Fine length with distinct flavour and a sweetish finish. The Chardonnays were also very good. Pinot Gris – Viognior was an interesting and pleasant blend and along with the Pinot Gris, the Rose was a standout. Rose lightness and freshness but lengthy and complex. The friendly banter across the counter was lovely. I will go back here when I need some more Gris and Rose which both offer something different for the odd meal when the usual whites aren’t quite right.

Port Phillip Estate

As you approach in your vehicle you are greeted by a large, curved concrete affair. Think modern art gallery without the art, although some of the wine, particularly the impressive range of Pinot Noirs, does have its merits. The building imparts difference; that is, difference between it and you. Difference between the people who own it and you. You are inferior (unless you own one of these places yourself). The door creates uncertainty but then knows you’re coming and swings outward, requiring you to step hastily backward out of the way, and then assured and relieved of entry you approach the glass sliding doors with growing uncertainty as they remain closed. They think about it long and hard before opening at the last moment, allowing access almost begrudgingly. You walk in and realise why you have been admitted; it is hoped that you spend money. There’s a fancy restaurant to the left which does serve good food (appropriately priced), a bistro to the right as well as the tasting bench. The feel and the views are impressive, giving an elevated, distant and calm setting to look over the vines and dams to Western Port beyond through the large glass walls. The tasting is of the selective type. You select whether to pay $10 for the privilege, and then the employee selects which wines you are worthy of. It’s worth lying that you are from the industry. You may not want to pay for the top wines but at least you’ll get to try them for your ten bucks. Go on a Monday to support your fib. The employee talks about grapes from here and there, flavours to expect etc but it’s rehearsed and you have to infuse some humour to break the boredom. Wine-wise there’s a bit of everything; Sav Blancs, through Pinot Gris to Chardonnay, then the Pinots and Shiraz as well as a Barbera. I found the Charddies okay but not perfect unless you’re allowed to try the Farrago. Certainly there are many equivalents or better on the Peninsula that have greater need of your money. There’s something for everyone within the Pinot range depending on your taste and experience. They're all good. Worth a visit if you can swallow your pride and allow the establishment to be your master. Posh people better suited.