What better way to warm yourself up during winter than with a belly full of wine and good food? This coming Queen's Birthday long weekend, head to the Mornington Peninsula for its annual four-day Winter Wine Fest, a variety of cellar door experiences, dazzling dining events and wine tastings.
The festivities will kick off on Friday, June 7 with 'The Winemaker's Truffle Dinner' – the unmissable opening night in the festival's program, which brings 13 top wineries together in 'The Village Hall' at the Red Hill Showgrounds. Each winery will host a table with wines specially curated to match starting canapes and a delightful three-course menu showcasing the finest of the new season's truffles.
You can expect the winemakers' rarest and finest, back vintage and cellar selection drops, with bottles likely to be passed around from table to table as the libations start a'flowing! Jazz ensemble, the Georga Byrne Trio, will treat your ears to their dulcet tones while your taste buds are treated to the likes of Paringa Estate, Montalto, Crittenden Wines, Handpicked Wines and many more.
And that's just the first day! Saturday, June 8, is when the festival's famous weekend showcase will take place. The long-standing event allows you to taste more than 150 premium wines by 40 wineries from the region. Tickets are $80 per person and include a complimentary Riedel tasting glass and access to all wine tastings.
On Sunday, June 9, head to the 'Village Green' to explore plenty of bougie food pop-ups, including Pinchy's Lobster Bar, Long Paddock Raclette Bar and Red Gum BBQ (along with their wood smoker.) The festival has also just launched its very first Cassoulet Lunch for just 200 lucky ticket holders. Participants will get a seat to a long–table, famous feast of duck casosulet and crusty bread, plus a fruit tart to finish – all for just $59 a head. In addition, there'll be a vintage bar, where guests can purchase a glass of something truly special from one of 12 wineries.
Keep the good times rolling on Monday, June 10 by booking in for a variety of cellar wine experiences at participating wineries. There'll be masterclasses, live music, winter lunches and more from Sunday – even a sparkling brunch! For more information and to book a spot, head to the Mornington Peninsula Wine website.