AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES (select from) AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES (select from) STAY OVERNIGHT (select from) DAY FOUR: MORNINGTON PENINSULA GEELONG & THE BELLAR INE MORNING ACTIVITIES (select from) Grape Explorations Australia (p58) Join a small group or take a bespoke tour of top Mornington Peninsula wineries. Meet the winemaker, taste the wines and grazing lunch. Or follow the beer, cider and spirit trail. Jackalope Hotel (p78) is an award-winning escape from reality. A high-end hotel in pristine vineyard surroundings, with every space carefully created and curated by leading designers. Immerse in art and indulgence at every turn. Bellarine Taste Trail (p66) Musters the region’s best foodie experiences. Over 50 food and wine destinations including wineries, beer, cider and fabulous restaurants. Or explore berry, olive and tomato growers, farmgates and farmers’ markets. JimmyRum Distillery & Bar (p58) Rum is the next big thing, and JimmyRum craft distillery is the place to sip and learn about this handcrafted spirit at Victoria’s dedicated first rum craft distillery. Tours, tastings and master classes. Cheers! Green Olive at Red Hill (p58) is all about paddock-to-plate sustainable farm tours, food and wine lunch packages, picnics in the olive grove and a shop brimming with natural products – all in one incredible place. Flinders Hotel (p77) Historic hotel, charming village packed with providores. Saturday cooking classes such as Italian or Asian; popular Saturday Gin High Tea including top shelf local and imported gins with premium tonics. Jack Rabbit Vineyard (p66) is renowned for unrivalled panoramic views across the bay to Melbourne. It’s also a showpiece for the gastronomic gems of the Bellarine, flaunted in the restaurant, vineyard and cellar door. Trofeo Estate (p64) A unique story: elegant, fruit-driven wines aged exclusively in Italian terracotta amphora (no oak). Red Hill cellar door and restaurant in spectacular 1930s reimagined cannery with deck overlooking vines. Montalto (p59) boasts 30 permanent sculptures dotted throughout its grounds and vines. Explore first, then hit the Piazza Café and sit amongst expansive kitchen gardens to tuck into wines and a menu designed to share. Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill (p78) features 40 elegantly Hecker Guthrie designed spacious guest rooms with quality furnishings and fittings. Swoon over views, sample wines and savour farm-to-table dining. The Q Train (p69) is a lovely dégustation dining experience that travels along a heritage railway line between Drysdale and Queenscliff. Indulge in a pre-departure beverage in Club Loco – showcasing wines, beers and ciders from the region. Crittenden Estate Wine Centre (p57) Explore the Crittenden family’s famous cool-climate wines that are so expressive of this region. A secondgeneration family-owned winery, known for sustainable vineyard management. Alba Geothermal Springs & Spa (p56) Dine on locally sourced, seasonal produce from celebrated chef Karen Martini’s menu. Slip into the rain pool, forest pools, sunset pool or private pool, and book into the divine spa. Lakeside Villas at Crittenden Estate (p78) offers the ultimate vineyard escape. Appearing to float above the lake among the vines, each 4.5 star spacious, self-contained villa boasts wood fire, spa bath and private deck. Rocky Creek Strawberry Farm (p63) boasts pick-your-own strawberries (Nov-Apr) and a year-round decadent Dessert Café where the house-made ice-cream is to-dine-for and strawberry themed produce thrives. 5 DAY ITINERARY – FOOD & WINE 32
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