wine country on the peninsula Four decades of Mornington Peninsula Wine Mornington Peninsula has long been seen as Melbourne's playground but for those who live here we have so much in our backyard to explore and understand.
Mornington Peninsula is a serious wine region with very dedicated winemakers who strive for continued high quality wine production.
Andrew Catchpole, a respected UK wine writer wrote in 2011 in Decanter Magazine Within striking distance of Melbourne, this well-heeled coastline is rich in quality wine .a cracking place to produce teasingly elegant, supple Pinot Noirs and thrillingly crisp, refined Chardonnays in what is fast becoming recognised as one of Australia s finest cool-climate regions Dedication in the seventies The modern era of wine production commenced in the 1970 swhen a handful of likeminded people acquired land, followed their dream and independently planted vineyards.
In 1972 Baillieu Myer planted the first vineyard and in 1975 Nat and Rosalie White planted and developed the first winery in the region.
The local planning scheme was amended to allow the sale of produce from rural land in order for Main Ridge Estate to obtain a liquor licence and to develop their Cellar Door to proudly showcase their first vintages around 1981.
The first Wine Seminar was held in 1976 at Elgee Park and this group of pioneers established meetings which were held every couple of months to discuss viticulture, winemaking or simply to taste each other s wines.
Each pioneer has their own story to tell and many are still running cellar doors and happy to re visit these early days for those who are genuinely interested.
It is difficult to imagine what other group of people can actually remember each growing season and harvest experiences and relate these to the vintage of wines produced.
Some vineyards are still harvested by a dedicated group of family and friends who have participated since early vintages, others enjoy the involvement of interested locals helping out, others have developed relationships with contractors who understand their grapes are precious.
A couple of contractors have been around from the very early days, and been instrumental in developing best practice methods for growing and harvesting.
At a Foundation to Fruition Celebration held in 2005 at Elgee Park one of these contractors was Jo Vaughan who provided fascinating insights into the changes in equipment and techniques which he has witnessed since the start of the industry in the region.
Experimentation in the eighties In the eighties Mornington Peninsula Vignerons Association was formed by this handful of people who connected and shared their experiences and dreams and learned from each other.
The Department of Agriculture was forthcoming in providing some advice, but wine growing knowledge had included very little experience in cool climate and maritime regions.
Much of what was needed was learned through experimentation and exploration and a commitment by those involved.
The Association was formed from the grassroots level and has maintained a strong organization since with around 120 members in 2012.
New members brought new skills and further developed business models to establish the industry.
In 1981 the first Winter Wine Weekend was held.
This was an opportunity for everyone to come and see, talk and taste and invite Melbournians to see what had grown on their doorstep.
This event has been held annually since.
Confirmation in the nineties In the nineties an established understanding lead to further vineyards being planted and reach levels which indicated this industry was here to stay.
The beginnings of an identity for the region were established and have since grown into a wine region which has a reputation for high quality wine production.
The flagship varieties of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay have served to highlight the strengths of the region, and Pinot Gris has become the rising star.
An annual wine touring map was started and visitors invited to tour the wineries and taste the fruits of the vignerons labour at any time of the year.
The seasons all offer great experiences spring shows the start of growth emerging on canes, summer sees flowering and fruit development, harvest in autumn and winter pruning and resting vines.
Celebration in the naughties The naughties consolidated all that had been learned.
In 2001 Stonier won the Trophy for Best Chardonnay and then went on to win the Best Wine at the London International Wine Challenge in London for their 1999 Stonier Reserve Chardonnay.
In 2003 the first Mornington Peninsula International Pinot Noir Celebration was held.
This biennial event has grown to become as James Halliday stated in 2005 The Pinot Noir Celebration, organised by the Mornington Peninsula Vignerons, is one of only a handful of wine events dedicated to Pinot Noir in the world.
It is a unique opportunity to listen and learn from the world's greatest wine palates and experience Pinot Noir at its best.
I am delighted to be involved .
Every few years since 1996 the MPVA has undertaken a diagnostic review of the local industry.
Plantings currently represent Pinot noir over 59 of plantings and Chardonnay over25 .
These reviews provide insight into the varieties planted, hectares yields give an overall view of the development we have witnessed.
Investment in Mornington Peninsula winery businesses is in excess of 100m and the total value of wholesale sales has grown to more than 70m Although most wine is sold to Melbourne and within Australia, Export markets are important to continued viability and continue to grow.
Diversifying markets has helped business ride the waves as well as protect from troughs experienced in the economy.
The national statutory wine organisation Wine Australia created a 'regional heroes program' 3 years ago and Mornington Peninsula was invited to be one of 16 regions in Australia, to co-promote our region in the UK, US and China.
Being selected as one of 16 out of 62 wine regions in Australia is testament to the reputation this region now has.
Although a tiny region in size and production levels but we have a very clear story to tell.
As Australia moved away from producing big commercial products, this region was in the perfect position to showcase regionality.
This was something which had grown naturally alongside the years of experimenting and fine tuning growing grapes and making wines which were suitable for this region a greater understanding and appreciation of the region and what makes it special.
International recognition grows with awards such as the Regional Trophy at Decanter World Wine Awards in London recently, won by Moorooduc Estate 2009 Robinson Moorooduc Pinot Noir.
- Cheryl Lee, Executive Officer Mornington Peninsula Vignerons Association Stonier www.gdlife.com.au 77