LOOKING FOR WINE LOOK AT THE VINES The increased knowledge now available to winemakers has furthered the pursuit of single vineyard wine and has framed the ambition for the Peninsula to be recognised as a leading producer of some of the world s great Pinot noir.
-Arthur O Bryan Winemakers on the Mornington Peninsula have made many improvements and great progress over the past twenty-five years.
The pioneers of the region began with a passionate commitment to their vineyards.
Along the way they talked about shared values, formed a strong vigneron s association and developed a vision for the future that pushed them to continually improve the wines.
Their ultimate goal was to have their beloved Mornington Peninsula recognised as a significant wine region- better known for wild yeast ferment than wild open surf beaches.
overcoming many barriers, mainly caused by unpredictable weather, producers such as Baillieu Myer AC, nat White, Brian stonier Ao, garry Crittenden, Lindsay McCall and rick Mcintyre always kept the focus on quality over quantity.
Harvest was all about precious, small parcels of wine.
They d drive to Melbourne and hand-sell to the canny wine retailers and restaurants of the inner suburbs.
over the decades, these same wine merchants became solid supporters of the once exotic, and occasionally quixotic, cool climate wines.
Today the very best Peninsula wines are recognised for finesse with style, line and length, essential qualities by which those same wine merchants recognise the world s great wines.
There is little argument that the place where improvement has been most notable is in the vineyard.
Here winemakers have deliberately narrowed their focus to grape varieties they believe can best achieve the quality the region is capable of.
The aim is to match a specific variety be it Chardonnay, Pinot gris, Pinot noir or even Tempranillo with each unique pocket of land.
This mimicked the european approach and differed from many Australian regions that had more of a fruit salad planting regime.
in French Burgundy, the benchmark of individual vineyards and expression of site are the most interesting facet of Chardonnay and Pinot noir production.
Therefore single vineyard wine is a logical progression for winemakers wanting to properly realise the whole concept of terroir .
The best winemakers understand wine quality better than anyone else.
Their intimate knowledge of the climate, best soil and site all plays into the concept of terroir - implicit in the differences seen in the same variety and the same vineyard and adjacent vineyards.
The differences in aroma, flavour and most importantly, the structure, line and length of wine allows the winemaker s acute wine gPs to hone in on site peculiarities and this is the foundation on which great single vineyard wine is built.
Today there are more and more single vineyard wines entering the market giving us all more compelling reasons to down the tools and visit a cellar door to try them.
Terroir consists of the site- or region-specific characteristics of a wine.
76 good life, february -march, april 2011 Friends of MP Vignerons The Friends of the Mornington Peninsula Vignerons FMPV is a social group of food and winelovers who get together at regular intervals for informal functions with the focus on Mornington Peninsula MP wines and vineyards and to support MP vignerons.
The functions are, where possible, held at the wineries vineyards and include barbecues, tastings including comparative tastings with other cool climate wine regions , winery tours and the Annual dinner where carefully aged wines from the FMPV's cellar are partaken with much delight.
Also from time to time cameo sessions are arranged for special interest wine related topics The FMPV was established some twenty two years ago by a group of wine lovers who were helping some of the early winegrowers and eventually decided to formalise the group into an identifiable entity.
Known generally as the FMPV or by the vignerons as the Friends it is quite a unique group possibly being the only one of its kind in Australia and vignerons from other regions have been heard to say that they wish they too had their own fan club .
Besides the regular social activity some members enjoy hands on involvement by volunteering to pick grapes and each year the FMPV volunteers assist with the Winter Wine Weekend exhibition at red Hill.
The FMPV also presents an annual Award for excellence to a vigneron in recognition of their contribution to quality winemaking, enhancement of MP wines and development.
The growth of the wine industry on the MP over the last ten years has resulted in some eighty cellar doors which certainly provides scope for FMPV members to continue tasting all the wonderful MP wines.
People interested in finding out more about the FMPV activities may contact the President -Graeme Buckley on 03- 97879616.
High Quality, Affordable Prices UndergroUnd Wines is situated on the nepean Highway as you drive between Mt eliza and Mornington where a roadside banner attracts hordes of wine savvy customers.
Young, fresh and modern this team of winemakers have a great sense of fun with quirky labels and a revolutionary attitude.
Their wines are full flavoured and prove excellent value.
Look out for dr durif, a durif from fifty five year old vines, offspring Pinot gris, Cabernet Merlot, Moscato and Black and White Pinot grigio.
drop in and meet the boys who aim to make high quality wines without a ridiculous price tag.
- Arthur o'Bryan Linden Tree at Lindenderry one of the prettiest Peninsula restaurants, Linden Tree offers diners an intimate setting, surrounded by tall trees with magnificent views over the vineyards of red Hill.
robert and his team create an innovative modern european menu that focuses on local produce that is accompanied by a range of innovative local wines as well as wine from around Australia and the globe.
Linden Tree at Lindendery offers guests an intimate dining experience overlooking our vineyard.
Private dining is available for groups between 8 - 30.
The flower filled courtyard is open during the summer months for lunch time dining.
The Cellar door lunch menu changes weekly, neW - sunday Lunch spanish Feasting Menu - Five ever changing courses gathered from the deep heart of rustic spain.
Mealtimes have been lost to television and working late, losing the bond that connects us.
reconnect with family and friends over our sunday feasting menu, designed to share, destined to be loved.