Visit the vineyard: Get to know these standout wineries on the Mornington Peninsula

Intro

Crittenden Estate

Founded in 1982 by Garry Crittenden, Crittenden Wines is a family-owned winery on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. Today, the winery is operated by second generation siblings Rollo and Zoe, whose aim is to produce exceptional wines that reflect the character and terroir of the region, with a focus on sustainability and minimal intervention.

The Crittenden cellar door is a must-visit stop for Visitors to the Mornington Peninsula "The Crittenden Cellar Door offers a relaxed and informative tasting experience, guided by experts who love to share the Crittenden story," says Zoe. "In seated comfort, the team will take you through an insightful journey through the winery’s offerings – ideal for first-time guests or returning visitors looking to try something new." Guests can also enhance their experience with a supplementary single vineyard tasting, focusing on the pinnacle of our winemaking and featuring the Cri de Coeur label along with occasional gems from the cellar. As part of the premium line-up you may find the iconic Cri de Coeur Savagnin; 2020 having just been announced in the Top 20 of Halliday’s Top 100 Whites over $40. Don’t be disappointed if it’s not available, due to demand and limited release quantities the Savagnin sells out quickly!

The Crittenden Restaurant will officially open its doors at the end of October, just in time for the summer months. The family can’t wait to share the transformation to the original restaurant: a fully renovated indoor dining space, sheltered deck overlooking the lake and vineyard, and a beautifully landscaped terrace... multiple spaces designed for every dining occasion. They have engaged Chef Brunno Melo who will be offering a menu that celebrates the best of our region - showcasing fresh, local ingredients - and host Gauthier Georgelet will ensure your visit to this new dining destination is one to remember. Finally, for those don’t want to leave, Lakeside Villas (run by Rollo’s wife Linda) offers luxury self-contained accommodation built out over the property’s lake.

Co-owner and marketing director: Zoe Crittenden

crittendenwines.com.au | 25 Harrisons Rd, Dromana VIC 3936 | (03) 5987 3800

Dexter Wines

Dexter Wines is a small family business growing premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on Bunurong/BoonWurrung Land, Mornington Peninsula. Tod and Debbie planted their first vines in 1987, some of which, 39 years later, we are still farming today.
The vineyard is planted to Chardonnay and Pinot exclusively on a north facing block, with a range of clones in each variety, this gives us many blending options when it comes to crafting the wines. The location of the vineyard and orientation make it an ideal sight for growing Pinot and Chardonnay, it is protected from south westerlies but has good airflow from the ocean breeze which reduces disease pressure. We are incredibly lucky to enjoy the benefits of Tod and Debbies foresight on this land, as now we get to work with mature vines, that are well balanced and produce full flavour fruit.
All our fruit is hand picked, aged in french oak puncheons on full gross lees, blended in December and bottled in January.
We make two "white label" wines, which are made from a blend of all the clones. In exceptional vintages we make two "black label" wines from specific plots on the vineyard in very small quantities. These two wines are processed using different winemaking techniques to the white label wines.

We try to grow and make wines that we like to drink as a family around the dinner table in the hope that other people will enjoy them to.

We have just launched our wine club as of last month with a wine dinner in Melbourne. We plan to host this each year for our members to dive into back vintage wines and current vintage wines and to discuss our future events and plans. Our wine club benefits from discounts, once off wines, pre release offers and updates.

Winemaker/owner/vigneron: Tod Dexter

dexterwines.com.au | 210 Foxeys Road, Tuerong VIC 3915 | 0417 330 610

Stonier Wines

Stonier Wines is one of the pioneer wineries in the Mornington Peninsula, having been founded by the late Brian Stonier in 1978. Stonier’s vineyard portfolio boasts some of the region’s oldest vineyards, each one contributing nuances from within the different sub-regions of the peninsula. It is one of the few wineries in Australia to measure its carbon footprint in detail, using the officially recognised system of the Winemaker’s Federation of Australia.

stonier.com.au | 2 Thompsons Lane, Merricks VIC 3926 | (03) 5989 8300

Top image credit: Dexter Wines