Montalto Vineyard Olive Grove Montalto rewards all visitors with an experience unlike any other winery.
The estate offers a journey through vineyards, olive groves, restaurant, kitchen gardens and orchards, sculpture wetlands.
These are the foundations to a five star estate, multiple wine awards, the region s only Chefs Hat restaurant, sought after olive oils and a spectacular sculpture collection.
The Mitchell family established and manage the estate and we invite all visitors to share in our dream.
All products are exclusive to visitors to the Estate and all guests are invited to tour the property to gain a greater appreciation of the bounty of the land.
Wine At Montalto we believe our wine should be an expression of its origin, a representation of the best fruit produced from its site in a particular vintage.
For the most part, this means grapes grown on our 30 acres of vines here at Montalto.
Our focus is on the Mornington Peninsula s primary varieties Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, however our wide range also includes Sparkling, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Ros and Shiraz, amongst other varieties.
Our emphasis is on producing fruit of outstanding quality.
Care and attention to detail in the vineyard is paramount well balanced vines, low cropping levels and the exploration and use of alternatives to chemical sprays all play their part in producing high quality fruit.
Minimal interference winemaking by winemaker Simon Black is focussed on preserving and enhancing the individual characters from our site.
The result is wine that we feel very proud of, and that is receiving critical and popular acclaim, residing in the cellars of wine collectors in Australia and overseas.
We make our wine in limited quantities, and it is available only from the estate.
Our recently renovated cellar door offers visitors the opportunity to explore our wine with our friendly, professional cellar door staff.
Restaurant Described the Mornington Peninsula s best winery restaurant , Restaurant Montalto holds a Chef's Hat in The Age Good Food Guide 2011, an award it has held for numerous years.
The relaxed elegance of the Montalto Restaurant is set in a striking and harmonious landscape building featuring rammed earth walls, timber frames and rough-hewn floor boards.
Floor to ceiling windows take advantage of the breathtaking rural outlook of vines, olive groves and sculpture leading down to picturesque lakes and wetlands, with pasture, and a hint of the ocean as the backdrop.
The Montalto Restaurant is imbued with a provincial spirit, from a personal greeting at the front door to the food on your plate.
Led by Head Chef Barry Davis, the kitchen serves food inspired by regional France, but anchored in the fresh seasonal produce of the estate and the Mornington Peninsula.
A warmly professional service team and an interesting, eclectic wine list featuring local, Australian and international wines in addition to our own estate range complete the experience.
84 good life -june, july, august 2011 Piazza Garden Cafe Our Piazza Garden Cafe offers simple, tasty food to enjoy with a glass of estate wine in our protected courtyard or amongst the abundance of Wendy s kitchen garden.
With no bookings required, you can visit on a whim with your family or friends and take in the beauty of the property.
With a short, seasonal menu featuring estate produce, you might enjoy a delicious pizza, a grazing plate, a fresh summer salad, or something heartier in the cooler months.
Picnics A picnic at Montalto is a unique experience.
An afternoon in your own private and beautiful location whether it be high on Pennon Hill under towering gums with sweeping views of the vines to the sea, next to a reedy dam in an Australian countryside setting, or tucked away next to our young orchard.
Relax and enjoy the company of your dining companions as we look after every detail.
A table set with white linen, quality crockery, glassware and cutlery, your selected estate wine and a menu inspired by the freshest produce.
Enchant your sweetheart or frolic with family and friends.
Available from November to April.
Olives Beautiful, mature silvery-green olive trees can be found around the border of the Montalto estate, as well as in a dedicated grove.
The dozen varieties of olive trees provide us with fruit for our own estate cured and marinated table olives and are the basis for the Montalto range of cold pressed, extra virgin olive oils, including Lemon Basil infusions alongside the Limited Release and original oils, available for tasting in the Cellar Door.
Every July, we celebrate the new season olive oils with our weekend Olive Festival Abundance at Montalto, a highlight of our calendar.
The 2011 Montalto Olive Festival will be on 9 10 July 2011.
Sculpture It was John Wendy Mitchell s desire to combine their passion for the arts with their love of nature and growth that was the birth for the Montalto sculpture collection.
The Montalto estate provides a picturesque outdoor gallery, and sculptures are sited throughout the beautiful grounds, adding interest and creative energy to the idyllic scene.
Meander along the walking trail or contemplate as you enjoy lunch in the Montalto Restaurant or Piazza Cafe.
The Montalto Sculpture Prize - Exhibition of Finalists is held from mid February to the end of April each year, providing a further burst of colour and creativity at the property.
The 2011 Montalto Sculpture Prize closes on 1 May.
Gardens Produce Montalto s estate to plate philosophy is all about using the land we are blessed to occupy in a sustainable manner, recognising its particular characteristics and sharing its wonderful attributes with others.
Expansive, lush kitchen gardens are grown on organic principles, using heirloom herb and vegetable varieties.
Daily visits from the Montalto kitchen ensure fresh, seasonal produce on the menu.
The gardens were established and are maintained by Wendy Mitchell, who can often be found digging away, particularly in the warmer months when the garden is a full time activity.
Seasonal produce grown at Montalto is further enhanced by a fruit and nut grove and berry garden.
Figs, stone fruit, almonds, hazelnuts, citrus, strawberries, raspberries, loganberries and more are all available for the restaurant menu.
Wetlands Four spring fed dams are linked by a stream through the valley floor of the amphitheatre property.
Over 90 species of native bird and animal life inhabit the natural wetlands.
Rambling blackberries have been cleared to allow existing native plants to thrive.
A further program of planting is currently underway to improve the ecology of the waterways and encourage more native wildlife.
Boardwalks through the wetlands allow the visitor an opportunity to enjoy this peaceful and natural habitat.
The space takes on a different character during the annual sculpture prize as man-made creativity interacts with nature.
Opening Hours Montalto is open every day.
Cellar Door daily 11am 5pm.
Restaurant Lunch daily, dinner Fri Sat evenings Piazza Cafe Open weekends and public holidays Picnics available November April Extended Hours from Boxing Day Australia Day 084.indd 1 29 05 11 10 15 PM