Mornington Peninsula Food Trail 2022

Mornington Peninsula Food Trail 2022

These were the places we visited and ate at, as regular paying customers, on the Mornington Peninsula Food Trail 2022 in Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia.

Day 1
Peninsula Pantry
Red Hill Estate
Hector's Seafoods

Day 2
Point Leo Estate

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Day 1
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Peninsula Pantry
@ 43A Wondaree Street, Rye, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria 3941, Australia
Opening Hours: Wed - Mon 8am – 3pm, Closed Tue
https://www.facebook.com/peninsulapantry/

Well-known to locals in the area but off the main travel routes, Peninsula Pantry is a homely cafe, serving hearty home-cooked dishes and pastries made using fresh local produce. At Peninsula Pantry, they make almost everything from scratch, and it's all delicious. We were recommended by our Airbnb hosts to pay a visit to Peninsula Pantry, and we certainly enjoyed dining here, no regrets!

Ambience at Peninsula Pantry is homely and cozy. The small place seats possibly 2 or 3 groups / families at most, with warm lighting and rustic functional furnishings that are decently comfortable. Service is fantastic, staff are welcoming to both familiar local faces, and tourists, demonstrating good product knowledge as they describe the day's fresh bakes and menu specials. Kudos especially to John Luke for making us feel welcome! Food at Peninsula Pantry is Austalian and British English cuisine, with nearly everything scratch made using fresh ingredients. Portions are large and hearty, really filling, and are best shared.

Peninsula Pantry Facade

Display Of Pastries

Peninsula Pantry Counter

Seating

Peninsula Pantry Menu

Home Made Jams

The Cinnamon Roll (AUD $4.50), also known as Cinnamon Scrolls, are large fluffy soft bakes, with cinnamon spread across the inside spiral roll of bread, glazed with icing sugar. Served warm, the cinnamon roll perfumes each bite with aromatic sweet spice bready flavour, so satisfying. Good!

Cinnamon Roll (AUD $4.50)

Cinnamon Roll

Cinnamon Roll

We'd heard recommendations that the Vanilla Slice (AUD $4.50) was a must-try here, and it certainly lived up to expectations. In fact, this vanilla slice is among the best we've had. The thin puff pastry crust sprinkled with icing sugar is crisp and flaky, shattering beautifully to reveal the creamy wobbly soft custard flavoured with vanilla. With its bright floral sweet buttery flavour, this vanilla slice exudes a luxurious, decadent feel. A yummy dessert. Highly recommended!

Vanilla Slice (AUD $4.50)

Vanilla Slice

Vanilla Slice

To start, the Meat Pie Beef Bourguignon (AUD $7.50) here is actually larger than other meat pies, bigger than a palm but smaller than an open hand. With a crisp buttery crust that yields easily, the meat pie beef bourguignon contains tender beef steak and carrot chunks, and a rich generous bourguignon gravy made with red wine, tomato, and shallots. This has lovely robust smoky meaty vegetal earthy sweet savoury salty herbal flavour, very nice. We ordered additional tomato ketchup on the side. Highly recommended!

Meat Pie Beef Bourguignon (AUD $7.50)

Meat Pie Beef Bourguignon

Meat Pie Beef Bourguignon

Loved the Free Range Eggs With Spinach & Bacon (AUD $19). This simple but well executed breakfast had fluffy creamy free range scrambled eggs with eggy sweet savoury flavour, crunchy blanched spinach leaves with vegetal sweet herbal bitter flavour, and chewy pork back bacon with smoky meaty salty savoury flavour. Dressed with parsley, this dish of free range eggs with spinach & bacon was yummy. Highly recommended!

Free Range Eggs With Spinach & Bacon (AUD $19)

Free Range Eggs With Spinach & Bacon

Free Range Eggs With Spinach & Bacon

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Red Hill Estate
@ 53 Shoreham Road, Red Hill South, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria 3937, Australia
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 5pm
https://www.redhillestate.com.au/

The shire of Mornington Peninsula is known for their wineries, focused on producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. Red Hill Estate is a boutique award-winning wine producer founded in 1989 by the late Australian businessman, Sir Peter Derham. Today, Red Hill Estate produces some of the finest cool climate wines that are wonderfully textured, complex, and elegantly understated. We'd decided to visit Red Hill Estate on the strong recommendations of their wines and service quality.

Ambience at Red Hill Estate is stunningly beautiful, with the green vineyard gently sloping down the rolling hill towards distant lakes, contrasted by blue skies dotted with fluffy white clouds overhead. Service at Red Hill Estate was affable and friendly, very personalised and knowledgable about the available wines, from how it's grown to the types of dishes to pair with. Food at Red Hill Estate is focused on their wines, specifically Pinot Noir red wine and Chardonnay white wine, and how they're paired with Modern European cuisine. Portions are sized for individuals.

Red Hill Estate Banner

Doorway

Red Hill Estate Restaurant

Red Hill Estate Vineyard & Ducks

Red Hill Estate Vineyard & Sky

Pond For Ducks

Red Hill Estate Wine Tasting Area & Wine Barrels

The wine tasting session at Red Hill Estate costs AUD $10 per person, and a choice of up to 6 different wines per group (maximum of 19 people per group), all served in tasting portion size. Pretty good experience, the staff will describe each wine as they serve, and will offer recommendations if asked.

The Wine 2017 Blanc De Blancs (AUD $45 per bottle) is a sparkling wine made with 100% Chardonnay green grapes. It has a pale straw yellow colour, with aromas and tastes of green apple, cinnamon, lemon zest, and chalk. The body is crisp, fine, and balanced, with fruity sour zesty spice sweet mineral flavour, gentle bubbles, and a refreshing finish.

Wine 2017 Blanc De Blancs (AUD $45 per bottle)

The Wine 2019 Cellar Door Release Chardonnay (AUD $34 per bottle) is a white wine made with 100% Chardonnay green grapes. It has a pale white green colour, with aromas and tastes of vanilla, honey, grapefruit, and ginger. The body is creamy, lively, and fresh, with fruity spice sweet floral earthy flavour, succulent with bright natural acidity.

Wine 2019 Cellar Door Release Chardonnay (AUD $34 per bottle)

The Wine 2019 Single Vineyard Chardonnay (AUD $79 per bottle) is a white wine made with 100% Chardonnay green grapes. It has a similarly pale white green colour as the cellar door release, but with stronger, more pronounced aromas and tastes of grilled peach, fig, vanilla, cedar, and brioche bread. The body is structured, rich, and persistant, with concentrated fruity sweet floral woody bready flavour, a glowing expression of Chardonnay indeed. While it can be carefully cellared for up to 10 years, I would find it difficult not to finish it all on the spot.

Wine 2019 Single Vineyard Chardonnay (AUD $79 per bottle)

The Wine 2020 Cellar Door Release Pinot Noir (AUD $34 per bottle) is a red wine made with 100% Pinot Noir purple grapes. It has a pale brick red colour, with aromas and tastes of cherry, pine leaves, elderflower, and raspberry. The body is bright, lively, and mildly tannic, with fruity earthy herbal floral sweet sour flavour, gamey and young.

Wine 2020 Cellar Door Release Pinot Noir (AUD $34 per bottle)

The Wine 2020 Cellar Door Release Coonawara Cabernet Sauvignon (AUD $34 per bottle) is a red wine made with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon black grapes. It has a deep velvet purple colour, with aromas and tastes of plum, cassis flower, blackberry, and cedar wood. The body is silky smooth, elegant, and rich, with fruity woody earthy sweet floral flavour, prominent up front, and soft but lingering on the back.

Wine 2020 Cellar Door Release Coonawara Cabernet Sauvignon (AUD $34 per bottle)

The Wine 2018 Late Harvest Pinot Gris (AUD $35 per bottle) is a fortified dessert wine made with 100% Pinot Gris grey blue grapes. It has a bright straw golden colour, with aromas and tastes of honey, jasmine flower, orange marmalade, and caramel. The body is rich, slightly viscous, and creamy, with intense fruity floral sweet flavour, a clean length and gentle persistance that remains on the palate.

Wine 2018 Late Harvest Pinot Gris (AUD $35 per bottle)

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Hector's Seafoods
@ Stall 1, 2185 Point Nepean Road, Rye, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria 3941, Australia
Opening Hours: Sun - Thu 11am – 8:30pm, Fri - Sat 11am – 11pm
https://www.zomato.com/mornington-peninsula-vic/hectors-seafoods-rye

We were searching for the best Fish And Chips in Mornington Peninsula, and online reviews pointed to Hector's Seafoods for their consistency, beach front veiws, and the fact they opened late. So we decided to stop by at Hector's Seafoods for a meal.

Ambience at Hector's Seafoods is rustic and casual, almost diner-like with no frills. There's minimal indoor and outdoor seating, with most people ordering takeaway; just as well, as lingering frying odours hang heavily in the air indoors. Service at Hector's Seafoods is polite and efficient, staff work quickly to prepare and fulfill orders, and patiently answer queries. Food at Hector's Seafoods is Australian cuisine, focused on fish and chips, and other fried or grilled seafood dishes and sides that traditionally accompany. Portions are large for individuals, and are best shared.

Hector's Seafoods Exterior

Hector's Seafoods Interior

Hector's Seafoods Menu

Takeaway Packaging

Takeaway Packaging

The meal for 4 of us was packed in a carton! We had Battered Blue Grenadier Fish (AUD $7.80), which had a semi-crisp batter and tender flaky blue grenadier fish meat with light savoury sweet salty flavour. The Battered Flake Fish (AUD $8) also has a semi-crisp batter and soft chunky flake fish with mild sweet salty savoury flavour. The Dim Sim Fried (AUD $1.30) and Potato Cake (AUD $1.30) were decently executed, though I personally felt these were lacklustre and could be skipped.

The Minimum Chips (AUD $4) is still served in a generous portion, with the medium-cut British English style potato chips being crisp and fluffy with starchy salty sweet flavour. I loved the Calamari Squid Ring And Chips Combo (AUD $9.50), which has crisp outside bouncy inside calamari squid rings which carried lovely savoury salty bready flavour. The Grilled Barramundi Fish (AUD $8.50) had a fillet of tender flaky lean grilled barramundi fish, but it was overly seasoned with a pronounced salty note. The Pineapple Fritter (AUD $2.50) was our favourite, juicy and crisp with robust fruity sweet flavour from the battered and caramelised pineapple ring. Also got a Fish And Chips Combo For 2 (AUD $31) for sharing. Good!

Fish And Chips Combo For 2 (AUD $31)

Fish And Chips Combo For 2

Battered Blue Grenadier Fish (AUD $7.80)

Battered Flake Fish, Dim Sim Fried, Potato Cake, Minimum Chips

Battered Flake Fish (AUD $8), Dim Sim Fried (AUD $1.30), Potato Cake (AUD $1.30), Minimum Chips (AUD $4)

Calamari Squid Ring And Chips Combo (AUD $9.50)

Calamari Squid Ring And Chips Combo

Grilled Barramundi Fish (AUD $8.50)

Grilled Barramundi Fish

Pineapple Fritter (AUD $2.50)

Pineapple Fritter

Battered Blue Grenadier Fish, Halved

Battered Flake Fish, Halved

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Day 2
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Point Leo Estate
@ 3649 Frankston - Flinders Road, Merricks, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria 3916, Australia
Opening Hours: Sun - Fri 11am – 5pm, Sat 11am – 9:30pm
https://www.ptleoestate.com.au/

A popular winery producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines in the shire of Mornington Peninsula, the Point Leo Estate was a private family-run vineyard of billionaire John Gandel and his family for almost 25 years, finally opening to the public in October 2017. Befitting its owner's taste for the finer things in life, Point Leo Estate spearheaded the "vine art movement" in Australia - wineries that offer more than just wine and fine dining experiences, but also artwork on its grounds as a way to draw in visitors. At Point Leo Estate, John Gandel and his wife Pauline, have curated a memorable experience for visitors, with a fine dining restaurant and wine tasting sessions set against a dramatic coastal backdrop, enhanced with about 50 contemporary, large-scale, world class artwork sculptures by local Australian artists as well as International names, collected over the years from around the world.

Ambience at Point Leo Estate is stunningly picturesque. Against the background of the Western Port Bay where blue waters meet blue skies, the green vineyards unfold down the rolling hill at one end, while the larger-than-life sculpture exhibits stand tall at the other end. Arguably the most ambitious outdoor sculpture park ever conceived, part of its awe-inspiring beauty lies in how the artworks interact against the natural surroundings. The main complex, architectured in the shape of a wine barrel, houses the restaurant, cellar, and wine retail area where tastings are carried out, a sophisticated yet comfortable environment. Service at Point Leo Estate is professional, engaging, and knowledgable, with staff being helpful and accomodating, particularly in the wine tasting sessions where they describe each vintage. Food at Point Leo Estate is focused on wines, specifically Pinot Noir red wine and Chardonnay white wine, and how they're paired with Modern European cuisine. Portions are sized for individuals.

Point Leo Estate Counter

Point Leo Estate Vineyard

Point Leo Estate Vineyard, Sky, Pond

Point Leo Estate Boab Tree Entrance

The wine tasting session at Point Leo Estate can be experienced in 2 tiers, the standard costs AUD $10 per person for a tasting flight of 5 regular wines, while the premium costs AUD $20 per person for a tasting flight of 2 regular wines and 3 reserve wines. The premium wine tasting session was a decent experience, the staff will describe each wine as they serve, and engage customers in conversation, though some segments felt a little robotic.

The premium Wine Pt. Leo Estate Méthode Traditionnelle 2018 (AUD $76 per bottle) is a sparkling wine made with a blend of 60% Pinot Noir purple grapes and 40% Chardonnay green grapes, a curious and novel blend roughly aged over 2 years. It has a deep golden yellow colour, with aromas and tastes of red cherry, brioche bread, orange peel, and lemon. The body is fine, elegant, and persistant, with a light bubbly feel, and pleasant zesty tangy fruity bready sweet flavour, culminating in a dry finish.

Wine Pt. Leo Estate Méthode Traditionnelle 2018 (AUD $76 per bottle)

The regular Wine Pt. Leo Estate Chardonnay 2018 (AUD $56 per bottle) is a white wine made with 100% Chardonnay green grapes, roughly aged over 1 year. It has a light straw yellow colour, with aromas and tastes of lemon curd, green apple, pear, oak, and vanilla. The body is velvety smooth, refreshing, and rich, with zesty tangy fruity sour sweet woody flavour, unfolding with bracing acidity over a lingering finish.

Wine Pt. Leo Estate Chardonnay 2018 (AUD $56 per bottle)

The premium Wine Pt. Leo Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2019 (AUD $86 per bottle) is a white wine made with 100% Chardonnay green grapes, roughly aged over 2 years. It has a pale straw yellow colour, with similar but more pronounced aromas, tastes, and structure, like its counterpart. More 'fresh' if you will.

Wine Pt. Leo Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2019 (AUD $86 per bottle)

The regular Wine Pt. Leo Estate Pinot Noir 2018 (AUD $56 per bottle) is a red wine made with 100% Pinot Noir purple grapes, roughly aged over 1 year. It has a light brick red colour, with aromas and tastes of dark cherry, plum, strawberry, holly leaves, and blueberry. The body is bright, silky, and juicy, with fruity herbal bitter earthy sweet flavour, unfolding with fine tannins over a lingering finish.

Wine Pt. Leo Estate Pinot Noir 2018 (AUD $56 per bottle)

The premium Wine Pt. Leo Estate Reserve Pinot Noir 2019 (AUD $86 per bottle) is a red wine made with 100% Pinot Noir purple grapes, roughly aged over 2 years. It has a pale brick red colour, with similar but more pronounced aromas, tastes, and structure, like its counterpart. More 'powerful' if you will.

Wine Pt. Leo Estate Reserve Pinot Noir 2019 (AUD $86 per bottle)

For non-drinkers, the sculpture park can be experienced for AUD $10 per person entrance fee. There's a 1.9 km short walk (about 30 minutes), or a 3 km long walk (about 60 min), or you can choose to combine any segment of the 2 paths.