Montalto Vineyard: Mornington Peninsula Discovery Wine Tasting and Lunch

The draw here is the chance to taste Montalto wines you may not find elsewhere, including back vintages and limited bottlings, in a small-group setting at the vineyard. The visit stays on the estate rather than touring the wider peninsula, so the focus is on wine, food and art.

I like two things in particular: the tasting explains how grape variety, vineyard site and winemaking shape cool-climate wines, and the lunch uses seasonal produce from the estate’s gardens. The sculpture collection gives you a pleasant way to stretch your legs after the meal.

One consideration: you need to arrange your own transport to and from Red Hill South. The $96.83 price covers the tasting, shared lunch and one glass of wine, but extra drinks cost more.

At a glance

• The tasting is built around cool-climate wines: Learn about Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris from the Mornington Peninsula.
• Some wines are estate-only: The tasting can include back vintages and limited bottlings not sold away from Montalto.
• Lunch comes from the gardens: Expect a casual shared meal shaped by seasonal ingredients, with one glass of Montalto wine included.
• The sculpture walk is part of the visit: Explore contemporary works among wetlands, vineyards and produce gardens after lunch.
• The group is small: A maximum of eight people keeps the tasting focused and gives you room to ask questions.
• The experience stays at the estate: It starts and ends at 33 Shoreham Road, Red Hill South. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

A winery visit, not a peninsula-wide tour

The name can suggest a broad outing around the Mornington Peninsula, but this is a four-hour visit to one estate: Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove. That distinction matters when you plan your day. You will not be driven between wineries or collected from your hotel; you make your way to the meeting point and spend your time at Montalto.

The setting gives the experience a clear focus. The peninsula’s maritime climate suits early-ripening varieties such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. At Montalto, the tasting is designed to show how variety, site and winemaking choices affect the wine in your glass, rather than simply offering a quick succession of samples.

The format also suits a range of experience levels. If you are new to wine, the guided tasting gives you a structure for noticing differences. If you already know your way around a wine list, the back vintages and small estate bottlings add interest beyond the standard tasting-room lineup.

The 11am start and seated tasting

The experience begins at 11am at 33 Shoreham Road, Red Hill South. From there, the tasting takes place in either the Alto wine room or the Piazza. Both settings offer views over the Red Hill vineyards, though the precise venue may vary.

This is a seated, tutored tasting, not a rushed stop at a counter. The estate team guides you through wines from current releases, older vintages and limited bottlings that are not available away from the property. The emphasis is on understanding what you are tasting: how the grape variety, the vineyard site and the winemaking approach each contribute to the result.

That educational angle is useful even if you are not a wine expert. Instead of needing a polished vocabulary, you can listen for the differences the team points out and ask questions as you go. For experienced wine drinkers, the chance to sample older or less widely available bottles is a strong reason to choose this visit over a basic tasting.

Montalto’s cool-climate focus gives the conversation a local anchor. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris are early-ripening varieties that suit the peninsula’s maritime conditions. You are not promised a specific selection of each wine, but those grapes help explain why this area has a distinct identity within Victoria’s wine country.

The group maximum of eight is another practical plus. A small party can make it easier to follow the explanation and have a conversation with the staff. It does not guarantee a private tasting, and the group may include other bookings, but the limit is modest enough to avoid the feel of a large bus stop.

Seasonal lunch in the Piazza

After the tasting, you sit down in the Piazza for a casual shared lunch. The menu draws on seasonal ingredients from Montalto’s produce gardens, a detail that gives the meal a direct connection to the estate rather than making it feel like an unrelated restaurant stop.

The meal is shared, so expect a more relaxed format than a formal, individually plated lunch. A glass of Montalto wine is included. If you want another glass or a different beverage, you can purchase additional drinks separately.

Food and wine are the most consistently praised parts of the experience. The lunch is described as delicious, and the staff as friendly. That combination matters: a good meal gives the middle of a half-day visit real substance, while a welcoming team makes the tasting feel like an exchange rather than a lecture.

A vegetarian option is available, but you should advise the provider when booking if you need it. The menu is seasonal, so you should not count on a particular dish being served. If you have other dietary needs, the available information does not specify options, so contact Montalto before you book.

A sculpture garden among wetlands and vines

Once lunch is over, take time to explore Montalto’s contemporary sculpture collection. The works are set among the estate’s wetlands, gardens and vineyards, so the walk gives you a change of pace after sitting for the tasting and meal.

The collection is connected to the Montalto Sculpture Prize, described as one of Australia’s most valuable private sculpture prizes. That gives the outdoor art more context than a few decorative objects beside a cellar door. You can look at the pieces in relation to the natural setting and the working estate, rather than treating the sculpture walk as an afterthought.

There is no stated guided sculpture tour, so plan on exploring at your own pace. The experience also does not specify a route length or walking time. If you prefer to linger over art, allow enough time within the approximate four-hour visit; if wine and lunch are your main interests, you can make this a shorter wander before the experience ends at the meeting point.

What the $96.83 price covers

At $96.83 per person, the price includes a tutored wine tasting, a shared lunch and one glass of wine. You also have the sculpture collection and estate grounds to explore. In practical terms, the cost pays for more than a tasting flight: it covers a guided introduction to the wines, a meal and a second activity on the property.

Value depends on what you want from a winery visit. If you are mainly looking for a quick sample and plan to visit several wineries in one day, this four-hour stay may feel too focused on one place. If you prefer to learn about the wine, sit down for lunch and have time to explore the grounds, the bundled format makes better sense.

Keep the extras in mind. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and additional wines or other beverages are available to buy. You will need to arrange your own way to and from the estate, which may affect the total cost and means you should plan transport before tasting.

Who will get the most from this visit

This experience is a good fit for couples, friends and food-and-wine fans who want a leisurely half-day at a single estate. The guided format works for beginners who want some context, while the back vintages and limited bottlings offer a point of interest for people who already enjoy tasting wine.

It also suits anyone who likes to pair a winery visit with something beyond the glass. The seasonal lunch and sculpture collection make the outing feel rounded, and the garden and wetland setting gives you a reason to spend time outdoors after the meal.

It is less suitable if you want a winery-hopping itinerary, a ride from your accommodation or a very short visit. The experience is based at Montalto, lasts about four hours and requires you to reach the estate yourself. The minimum age is 18, and most people can participate.

Montalto is often booked around 24 days in advance, so leaving it until the last minute may limit your choices. Confirmation is provided at booking. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time; cancellations or changes made later are not accepted for a refund or adjustment.

Should you book Montalto’s Discovery Tasting?

Book it if you want a relaxed, estate-based introduction to Mornington Peninsula wines, with a proper lunch and time for art and gardens. The strongest reasons are the educational tasting, the chance to try wines that are not widely available, and the seasonal meal. Friendly service and appealing food add to the experience.

Skip it if your priority is visiting several wineries, avoiding extra transport planning or keeping your day short. This is a focused visit, not a peninsula tour. For the right pace and interests, the tasting, lunch and sculpture walk make a well-balanced four hours.

FAQ

How long does the Montalto Discovery Tasting take?

The experience lasts approximately four hours. It begins at 11am and ends back at the meeting point.

Where does the experience start?

Meet at 33 Shoreham Road, Red Hill South, Victoria 3937, Australia. The activity ends at the same location.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a tutored wine tasting, shared lunch and one glass of wine. Additional wine and other beverages may be purchased separately.

Is a vegetarian lunch available?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available. Advise Montalto when booking if you require it.

What is the minimum age?

Participants must be at least 18 years old.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own transport to and from the estate.