Mornington Peninsula explorer daytour

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tanglewood Estate
• Willow Creek Winery
• Salix Restaurant
• Mornington Peninsula Chocolates
• Red Hill Cheese
• Arthurs Seat Lookout
• Heronswood Gardens

We start our day at 9.30am and follow the bay through Melbourne's bayside suburbs before heading inland to our first stop for the day, Tanglewood Estate at Merricks North. Tanglewood is a small family owned and operated winery where a warm welcome is always extended. First planted in 1984 the vineyard covers 7 acres, the principal varieties grown here are Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. They are some of the oldest vines on the peninsula and as each year passes, they gain an intensity of flavour that younger vines cannot match. Biscuits and cheese complement the tastings.

A short drive away is the Willow Creek Vineyard. Established in 1989 the vineyard of 28 acres produces consistently good wines from estate-grown grapes. These include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.

After the tasting, we move into the light-filled, award-winning Salix Restaurant that overlooks the vineyard. (It's hard to imagine a more relaxing setting!) Here we enjoy a main course a la carte lunch and glass of Willow Creek wine, followed by tea and coffee. Browse the menu.

It's then off to Mornington Peninsula Chocolates at Merricks. This is a place where food and art become one. With no artificial flavours or preservatives, these exquisite chocolates are almost too good to eat (almost!).

We're now heading home, and with the sun beginning to fall the afternoon vista from Arthurs Seat lookout (305 metres high) is spectacular. The bay glistens and shimmers, and to the left you can see the heads of Port Phillip Bay, and in the distance to the right you will see the Melbourne CBD skyline.

And for the garden lovers, there's the option of visiting the Heronswood Gardens at Dromana. Perched on a high point that overlooks Port Phillip Bay, this breathtaking historic property features over 1.6 hectares of formal gardens surrounding an historic bluestone building constructed in 1871.

TOUR PRICING

Package

$180 per person (applies from 1/4/11 to 31/3/12).
$190 per person (applies from 1/4/12 to 31/3/13).

Includes

Deluxe transport, wine and chocolate tastings, cheese and biscuits at Tanglewood Estate, main course a la carte lunch with glass of wine and coffee at Salix Restaurant, entry to Heronswood Gardens, bottled water, guide and GST.

Group Tours

For groups of up to 20 people, a similar day can be arranged (although would not include Mornington Peninsula Chocolates as it is too small). As a guide, the cost would be $120 per person based on a group of 20 (applies from 1/4/11 to 31/3/12). Costs for smaller groups available on application.

Tours are available on a daily basis with a minimum of 2 people. Private tours can be arranged, price on application. Mornington Peninsula Chocolates and Red Hill Cheese are not open every day so access cannot always be guaranteed. That of course will not stop us trying on your behalf.