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AUTUMN WINE TOURS – LABOUR DAY AND EASTER LONG WEEKENDS
Our most spectacular time of year is here when the wineries are awash with colour and our grapes are harvested as our latest vintage begins to take shape.
And Autumn also produces the most consistent, pleasant weather of any of our seasons – not too hot, not too cold, just right.
This makes it the perfect time of year to visit and book your own, personalised Mornington Peninsula wine tour with the region’s number one ranked tour operator.
You may even get to see the winemakers in action as Amour Of The Grape Tours takes you behind the scenes with our close relationship from some of the region’s finest winemakers.
Amour Of The Grape Tours will be running our popular wine tours daily throughout this period with group discounts for three or more people every day as well as our weekday discounts for couples. We will also be available for return transport for those just looking for a lunch transfer service. And we are also offering return evening transport for those heading out for dinner at one of our fantastic winery restaurants. To book phone Paul on 0414 704 801. We cater for groups of two to seven and can cater for groups of 11 on Saturdays.
PICNIC RACES
The Labour Day and Easter picnic races will be held at Balnarring on Sunday March 10 and Saturday March 30 respectively. This is a must do activity on the Peninsula. Back your picnic rug, your hamper and your champagne and let Amour Of The Grape Tours transport to and from the racecourse in style. To book phone Paul on 0414 704 801.
MORNINGTON CUP RACES
We are now taking bookings for the Mornington Peninsula’s most prestigious sporting event – the Mornington Cup on Saturday April 20. The day when big time city racing comes to the Peninsula. Return transport available for groups of two to 11. To book phone Paul on 0414 704 801.
2024 LOCAL FOOTY.
The new footy season is upon us and Amour Of The Grape Tours will be available for return transport to our big Good Friday matches at Rye and Red Hill. To book phone Paul on 0414 704 801.
TRIP ADVISOR AWARD
Amour Of The Grape Tours has once again – for the eighth year in a row – been awarded the 2023 Travellers’ Choice Award by Trip Advisor for consistently high reviews by our guests.
We are not only ranked number one for small group wine tours on the Mornington Peninsula but also in the TOP TEN PERCENT OF ATTRACTIONS WORLDWIDE.
A huge thanks to all my wonderful customers for making this all possible as well as all the fantastic staff and owners at the various beautiful cellar doors we visit.
I couldn’t have done it without you all and it’s been an amazing decade long journey with many more years to come.
And we have just chalked up our 300th review on Trip Advisor and our 50th on Google – tremendous milestones that we never dreamed would be possible when we began operating in September, 2013.
OUR TENTH ANNIVERSARY.
Spring of 2023 marked our ten years of operation since we began operating with a dream of showing off our beautiful Mornington Peninsula to guests from all over the world and giving them a day out to remember in an area famous for its world class wine, stunning beaches and golf courses, the world famous Peninsula Hot Springs, fantastic shopping and restaurants and incredible natural beauty and scenery.
And we have loved every minute of it and have met so many wonderful people along the journey.
2024 AGE GOOD FOOD GUIDE RANKINGS.
The Mornington Peninsula has once again shown why it is Victoria’s regional foodie capital in the latest Age Good Food Guide rankings.
We picked up an astonishing 16 hats with two of our spectacular winery restaurants – Laura at Pt Leo Estate and Ten Minutes By Tractor in Main Ridge scoring two hats as well as the fabulous fine dining Tedesca Osteria in Red Hill.
And to Audrey’s at The Continental Hotel in Sorrento, The Cape at the RACV Club in Cape Schanck, Doot Doot Doot at Jackalope Hotel in Merricks North, Many Little in Red Hill South, Moke in Flinders, Port Phillip Estate in Red Hill South, Rare Hare at Jackalope in Merricks North, Pt Leo, Pt Leo Estate, Polperro at Red Hill South and Montalto in Red Hill South for all receiving one hat.
Amour Of The Grape Tours is available for both return lunch and dinner transport to all these incredible wineries and restaurants. To book phone Paul on 0414 704 801.
SPECIAL RELEASE PINOT NOIR
Looking for a fantastic Pinor Noir with a great name and story behind it. Fenian Winery has just released a magnificent Pinot Noir from the celebrated 2021 vintage named Saoirse – which is Gaelic for Freedom. This is one definitely worth checking out.
WEEKDAY AND GROUP DISCOUNTS FOR WINE TOURS.
Our weekday specials operate every day (except between Boxing Day and Australia Day).
Just $180 per person – $10 off our regular price – for a couple with a Mornington Peninsula pick-up for our popular all day tours, including lunch and a glass of wine each.
But our regular group discounts for groups of three or more still apply EVERY DAY, including on weekends and school holidays, with prices starting from just $150 per person for a group of six or seven.
We also offer group and weekday discounts for Melbourne CBD and suburban pick-ups as well.
Our Mornington Peninsula wine tours are available every day for small groups of two to seven and include visits to four to five wineries as well as a multi course Tapas lunch and a glass of wine each at either the lovely Mont Rouge Estate, Green Olive Tapas Farm and winery, Montalto or the Pier 10 winery in Shoreham. Optional tastings also available at Bass and Flinders Gin Distillery, Red Hill, Jetty Road or St Andrews Beach Brewery, Main Ridge Dairy, JimmyRum Distillery and Mock Red Hill or Mr Little Peninsula cider.
To book phone Paul on 0414 704 801 or email us at info@amourofthegrape.com.au.
NEW WINE BAR.
Ten Minutes By Tractor – one of our most prestigious wineries – has added an exciting new wine bar Allis Wine Bar to its already famous restaurant and great cellar door. Amour Of The Grape Tours is available for return transport to what is sure to be a popular addition to the Mornington Peninsula Wine Region.
NIGHT TRANSPORT
Finding a taxi or uber is next to impossible on the Mornington Peninsula so Amour Of The Grape Tours runs a personalised, safe, chauffeur service at night to take guests to and from our fabulous winery restaurants including Ten Minutes By Tractor, Port Phillip Estate, Paringa, Pier 10, Polperro, Montalto, Many Little and Pt Leo Estate. Prices depend on group size and pick-up address but start from just $30 per person for the return trip.
TOP 100 WINES IN AUSTRALIA.
Australia’s most prestigious wine reviewer James Halliday has named two Mornington Peninsula wines in his top 100 wines this year.
Congratulations to Yabby Lake and their 2022 Block Two Pinot Noir and Handpicked Wines for their 2022 Pinot Gris on making the list.
2024 HALLIDAY RATINGS
The wine ‘bible’ – the annual James Halliday book reviewing all of Australia’s incredible wineries has been released and once again the Mornington Peninsula scored big – especially in our areas of speciality such as Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Rose.
Here are some of our highest rated wines on the Peninsula and congratulations to all these fantastic wineries and their cellar doors.
PINOT NOIR
2022 Yabby Lake Block 2 single vineyard release – 97 points (in top 100 wines Australia wide for the year)
2021 Scorpo Old Cherry Orchard Pinot – 97.
2021 Principia Altior Pinot Noir – 96.
2021 Principia Kindred Hill Pinot Noir – 96.
2021 Moorooduc Estate Robinson Pinot – 95.
2021 Moorooduc Estate McIntyre Pinot – 95.
2021 Quealy Musk Creek Pinot – 95
2021 Ten Minutes By Tractor Coolart Road Pinot Noir – 95.
2021 Paringa single vineyard Pinot – 95.
PINOT GRIS/GRIGIO (all wines rated 95 out of 100, equal highest in Australia).
2021 Scorpo Pinot Grigio
2022 Moorooduc Pinot Gris on Skins
2021 Trofeo Pinot Gris Amphora
2022 Quealy Feri Maris Pinot Grigio
2022 Ocean Eight Pinot Gris
2022 Quealy Tussie Mussie Pinot Gris
2022 Yabby Lake Pinot Gris
ROSE: (all these wines rated 95 out of 100)
2022 Paringa Estate Rose
2022 Trofeo Rose Amphora
2022 Montalto Estate Rose
2022 Foxeys Hangout Rose
CHARDONNAY
2021 Moorooduc Estate McIntyre Chardonnay 96 points.
2021 Moorooduc Estate Robinson Chardonnay 96.
2021 Montalto The Eleven Chardonnay 96.
2021 Paringa single vineyard Chardonnay 96
2021 – Eldridge Estate Wendy Chardonnay 96.
2021 – Principia Chardonnay – 96.
2021 Montalto Estate Chardonnay 95.
2021 Ten Minutes By Tractor McCutcheon Chardonnay 95.
2021 Ten Minutes By Tractor Estate Chardonnay 95.
2021 Port Phillip Estate Morillion Chardonnay 95.
2021 Port Phillip Estate Red Hill Chardonnay 95.
2020 Ocean Eight Aylward Chardonnay 95.
2021 Ocean Eight Verve Chardonnay 95
SHIRAZ/SYRAH
2021 Montalto Estate Syrah – 96 points.
2021 Montalto Tuerong Syrah – 96.
2021 Port Phillip Estate Tuerong Shiraz – 95.
2021 Moorooduc Estate McIntyre Shiraz – 95.
OTHER VARIETALS
2021 Quealy Turbul Fruliano – 95.
2021 Eldridge Estate Gamay – 95.
AUSTRALIAN PINOT NOIR CHALLENGE
A huge congratulations to Montalto for winning the Mornington Peninsula trophy for the best Pinot Noir in the recent Australian Pinot Noir challenge with their 2022 Montalto Pennon Hill Pinot.
NEW VINTAGES.
The 2021 vintage is our most outstanding since 2015 and Port Phillip Estate has just released it’s 2021 Faultline and Farrago Chardonnays as well as their stunning Ferrous, Meres and Haven Pinot Noirs. And also check out their incredible Morillion Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. These wines have long been a favourite at Amour Of The Grape Tours and the 2021 vintage is simply a must addition for any serious wine collector.
RACV MORNINGTON PENINSULA.
Great to see so many of our fantastic boutique wineries get a mention in this recent fantastic RACV travel article focusing on our incredible Mornington Peninsula wine region.
Check it out at:
https://www.racv.com.au/royalauto/travel/victoria/best-boutique-wineries-cellar-doors-mornington-peninsula.html
MORNINGTON PENINSULA DOMINATES TOP WINE RANKINGS:
Prestigious wine reviewer Huon Hooke has released its list of Australia’s best wineries and congratulations to Mornington Peninsula wineries Polperro, Paringa, Quealy, Moorooduc Estate, Stonier, Ten Minutes By Tractor, Yabby Lake and Eldridge Estate for all being named among Australia’s top 125 wineries.
Great job everyone again showcasing why the Peninsula is Australia’s premier Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wine region.
TEN MINUTES BY TRACTOR RESTAURANT WINS TOP GONGS
This incredible winery and restaurant – which was sadly destroyed by fire in February, 2018 – is now well and truly back up and running and has quickly reclaimed its former glory. Ten Minutes By Tractor has just been named as having the Best Wine List of any Australian winery in the 2021 Australian Wine List Of The Year Awards. A fantastic result for the team after losing so much of its previous wine list in the fire. Amour Of The Grape Tours runs return transport daily for lunch or dinner to this Peninsula icon. To book phone Paul on 0414 704 801. And speaking of Ten Minutes By Tractor make sure you check out their new 2021 Up The Hill and 2021 Down The Hill Pinot Noirs. No two wines better showcase the amazing micro climates we have in Australia’s premier Pinot Noir region reflecting one warm vineyard and one mild vineyard and all their difference subtleties and characteristics.
PENINSULA HOT SPRINGS TOURS
Amour Of The Grape Tours runs daily tours to the Mornington Peninsula’s number one tourist attraction with pick-ups available from Melbourne, Frankston and the Peninsula. Lunch packages also available as well as group discounts. To book phone Paul on 0414 704 801.
NEW HOT SPRINGS
Fantastic news. The Mornington Peninsula now has another Hot Springs at the beautiful Alba – right across the road from our world famous Peninsula Hot Springs in Fingal. Tours available every day.
THE ART, WINE AND CHOCOLATE TOUR
We have joined forces with two of our favourite wineries Elan and Mont Rouge as well as local artist Russell Scott for this unique tour combining wine, lunch and chocolate with the chance to create your very own wine glasses. Available on Sundays for groups of four to seven.
ART GALLERY AT ELAN WINERY.
This is a must see. Combine a tasting of the fabulous Gamay wine at Elan winery with a perusal of fantastic art work. Open every weekend in Balnarring.
GIFT VOUCHERS
But for those still hesitant to travel at this time you can still book a tour with us however through our popular gift vouchers. These enable you to choose the date of your tour any time you would like. To order your gift voucher phone Paul on 0414 704 801. Our tours are available every day for small groups of two to seven and include visits to four to five wineries plus a magnificent winery lunch and a glass of wine each. Pick-ups available from Melbourne CBD, southern and eastern suburbs, Frankston Train Station and anywhere across the Peninsula. Wine Tours available as well Beer, Cider and Spirit Tours.
BEER, CIDER AND SPIRITS TOUR
For those of you that aren’t wine drinkers we have a fantastic, exciting alternative for you.
The Dromana Industrial Estate is the Mornington Peninsula’s newest tourist precinct and we have a tour that showcases it all. From cheese to gin to cider to beer to rum, you name it we have it for you.
Check out our new Beer, Cider and Spirits Tour with pick-ups available from Melbourne, Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula. Available Friday to Sunday.
To book phone Paul on 0414 704 801 or check out our website at www.amourofthegrape.com.au for more information.
PENINSULA HOT SPRINGS AND WINERY LUNCH TOUR.
Why not combine the Peninsula’s two best attractions into the one exciting day with our Southern Peninsula winery lunch and Hot Springs package. Package includes entry into the Hot Springs as well as wine tasting, lunch and a glass of wine each at the fabulous Cups Estate next door in Fingal plus return transport to and from your home/accommodation in Melbourne or the Mornington Peninsula.
To book your tour phone Paul on 0414 704 801.
ACCOMMODATION.
If you have yet to book your Mornington Peninsula accommodation feel free to ask for our recommendations when you book a tour with Amour Of The Grape Tours. Some of our personal favourites include Hotel Sorrento, Boathouse Resort Motel in Blairgowrie, Flinders Hotel, Haven in Red Hill, Lindenderry Hotel in Red Hill, Harmony B and B in Fingal and Plantation House in Rye. If you book at any of these beautiful places please tell them Paul from Amour Of The Grape Tours sent you.
BOUTIQUE STAYS AND EXPERIENCES
The Mornington Peninsula has some incredible B and B’s available right across the Peninsula at a range of sizes and prices.
Our friends at Peninsula Retreats and Experiences have several stunning properties and will have luxury accommodation that is just right for you.
Give them a call on 0400 588 791 or visit their website at www.retreatsandexperiences.com.au and tell them that Paul from Amour Of The Grape Tours sent you.
And for more information on everything the Mornington Peninsula has to offer also check out https://www.kayak.com.au/Rosebud.47882.guide .