Mornington Peninsula: An Introduction

The view from Flinders

Australia's Mornington Peninsula offers an irresistible combination of world-class golf and premium wine. Just an hour's drive south of Melbourne, this boot-shaped peninsula has emerged as an exciting cool-climate wine region in Australia, while simultaneously hosting some of the country's most challenging and scenic golf courses - a perfect starting point for this series introducing the wine and golf regions of Australia.

A Maritime Wine Playground

While the first vines in the Mornington Peninsula were planted at Dromana in the 1850s, modern viticulture in the region truly began in 1972 when Baillieu Myer planted vines at Elgee Park. This pioneering effort was quickly followed by other visionaries who recognized the region's potential for cool-climate viticulture. 

Surrounded by water on three sides – Port Phillip Bay to the west, Western Port Bay to the east, and Bass Strait to the south – the peninsula enjoys a unique maritime climate that provides ideal conditions for growing premium wine grapes.

This maritime influence creates one of Australia's coolest vineyard areas, with long, mild growing seasons that allow grapes to develop complex flavours while maintaining crucial natural acidity. 

Climate and Terroir

The peninsula's undulating landscape creates numerous microclimates, with elevations ranging from sea level to about 250 meters. The higher, cooler sites are particularly suited to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, while protected north-facing slopes provide ideal conditions for earlier ripening varieties. Annual rainfall averages 350mm during the growing season, with most precipitation occurring in winter and spring.

Signature Wines and Producers

The regions is known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Pinot Noir

The region's flagship variety, Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir, is characterized by its perfumed aromatics, silky texture, and bright red fruit flavors. Leading producers include:

• Main Ridge Estate: stands as one of the region's most historic and respected producers. Established in 1975 by Nat and Rosalie White, it was one of the peninsula's first commercial vineyards and helped establish the region's reputation for exceptional Pinot Noir.

• Paringa Estate: Founder Lindsay McCall's meticulous attention to detail produces some of Australia's most celebrated Pinot Noirs

• Ten Minutes by Tractor: Known for their single-vineyard Pinots that express distinct terroir differences across their three main vineyards

Chardonnay

The peninsula's Chardonnays combine mineral precision with subtle complexity, offering a sophisticated alternative to more opulent Australian styles. Notable producers include:

• Yabby Lake: Their Single Vineyard Chardonnay has helped redefine modern Australian Chardonnay

• Stonier: One of the region's pioneers, producing elegant, detailed Chardonnays

• Kooyong: Their single-vineyard Chardonnays are benchmarks for the region

Other Varieties

While Pinot Noir and Chardonnay dominate, innovative producers are achieving impressive results with other varieties:

• Pinot Gris/Grigio: Particularly successful in the region's maritime climate

• Shiraz: Cool-climate examples showing pepper and spice rather than jammy richness

• Tempranillo: Several producers are experimenting with this Spanish variety to excellent effect

Golf in the Mornington Peninsula

The Mornington Peninsula's golf offerings certainly take centre stage for the region. Here are the must-play venues:

The National Golf Club

The National boasts three distinct courses, each offering unique challenges:

• Old Course: Ranked among Australia's top 10, this Robert Trent Jones Jr. design features dramatic elevation changes and spectacular ocean views

• Moonah Course: A links-style course designed by Greg Norman that plays through dramatic dunes

• Gunnamatta Course: The newest addition, opened in 2019, offering a true links experience with views of Bass Strait

St. Andrews Beach Golf Course

Designed by Tom Doak, this windswept links course provides a pure golf experience with minimal artificial features. The course follows natural contours through wild dunes, demanding creative shot-making and strategic thinking.

The Dunes Golf Links

This 18-hole championship course is consistently ranked among Australia's top public access courses. Designed by Tony Cashmore, it's a true links course that winds through natural sand dunes, offering a genuine test of golf in the tradition of Scottish links.

Conclusion

The Mornington Peninsula represents a perfect marriage of outstanding golf and exceptional wines. Its cool maritime climate produces wines of elegance and refinement, while its varied landscape has given rise to some of Australia's most memorable golf courses. For the traveling golf and wine enthusiast, few destinations offer such a compelling combination of sporting challenge and viticultural excellence.