Throughout winter, there are some pretty awesome things to do on the Mornington Peninsula. Yet what we find to be one of the most exciting is following the region’s very own Wine Food Farmgate Trail. Ready to explore more of Mornington Peninsula wineries and gourmet food? Check out 9 of our favourite winter warmers for the frosty season below, which will surely get the taste buds tingling!
Drink and Dine
1. Hot Chocolate
How good is decadent hot chocolate on a cold winter’s day? Make sure to stop by the cafe at Rocky Creek Strawberry Farm in Main Ridge between Friday and Sunday to sample their classic creation. And if you want to keep the sweet sensations going, order one (or more) of their delicious scones with cream and house made strawberry jam!
2. Hearty Menu
We reckon it would be pretty fair to say nothing beats a winter feast. And throughout the Mornington Peninsula, you’ll find so many destinations where you can pull up a chair and indulge in a warming banquet. Designed for two to share, the ‘Feed Me’ menus at Red Gum BBQ in Red Hill are authentic American-style BBQ at its best. Back to Mornington where Squires Loft serves up the finest steak cuts, burgers and mouth-watering entrees and sides. Main Street is also the home of Yo My Goodness (YOMG); burgers, wings and loaded fries are aplenty. If seeking more of a fine dining experience, the Cape Restaurant at RACV Cape Schanck Resort serves a multi-course set menu with European influence in a refined yet relaxed atmosphere. And if relaxing at the Spa Dreaming Centre at Peninsula Hot Springs in Fingal, the on-site cafe serves up nourishing food in abundance.
3. Coffee
For those mornings or afternoons where the winter chill lingers, a cuppa toasty coffee will bring all the needed warmth. Blue Mini in Rosebud is the home to Boneo Road Roasters, whose ethically sourced beans make for the most flavoursome brew. Don’t forget to also stop by Red Hill Cellar and Pantry to enjoy the daily coffee outside on the deck. Some of the best Mornington Peninsula coffee at both of these destinations if you ask us!
4. Red Wine
A glass of red wine in the winter months sure goes down a treat (just think of all the wholesome and hearty food it can be paired with!) And luckily for all those exploring the Mornington Peninsula wine scene this season, there exists an array of inspired flavours to be discovered and enjoyed from the many cellar doors of the Wine Food Farmgate Trail:
Balnarring
-
Elan Vineyard and Winery
-
Quealy Winemakers
Dromana
- Critteden Estate
- Trofeo Estate Winery
Merricks
- Pt Leo Estate
- Merricks General Store
Red Hill
- Foxeys Hangout Winery
- Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill
- Mont Rogue Estate
- Monalto (Red Hill South)
Tuerong
Pick Up
5. Pies
The Red Hill Baker in Balnarring is the No #1 stop for a warming pie during winter. If you’re on the move, add in a quick stopover here to pick up a flavoursome savoury pastry from the friendly team. If time permits, find a table in their cafe and enjoy fireside dining on those chilly mornings and/or afternoons.
6. Chocolate
In our eyes, chocolate is most definitely a wintertime staple! And what better way to indulge in the deliciousness of this adored treat than to visit Cocoa Rouge Chocolaterie in Red Hill and sample their range of artisan hand-made choccies! From honeycomb to macadamia, raspberry to cherry, the flavours on offer are diverse and divine (and we know you’ll love them all!)
- Mornington Peninsula Chocolaterie
Do It Yourself
7. Eggs
When we say best winter homemade meals, what comes to mind? Quiches, flans and wholesome brekkies? You’re thinking what we’re thinking! At the heart of all these favourite winter warmers lies the humble egg. And we couldn’t recommend a visit to the family-owned Somerville Egg Farm more to purchase the best ‘farm fresh’ eggs going around.
8. Winter Produce
When cold days evolve into even colder nights, enjoying a home-cooked casserole, soup or Sunday roast represents one of the best ways to escape the winter blues. Benton Rise Farm in Tuerong, Hawkes Farm in Boneo, Torello Farm in Dromana and Tully’s Corner Produce Store in Mornington each stock quality fresh produce ideal for these toasty meals. Potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, onions, broccoli…this is going to be a delish shopping list!
9. Seafood
Dinner party around the corner and no idea what to put on the table? Seafood is a superb place to start for your next winter meal with friends or family. Think fish curries, prawn paellas and seafood linguine marinara. And if you pay a visit to the team from Peninsula Fresh Seafood, you’ll find the freshest locally caught whole fish alongside popular shellfish catches.
