Yabby Lake Lunch

There’s nothing we love more than getting off the beaten track. Abby Lake is one of these destinations - frequented by many, yet tucked away and hidden from some, as they approach the Balnarring exit (off the Peninsula Link). These days, running a restaurant let alone winery on the Pen is highly competitive, with so many wonderful options on offer. It’s no longer just about offering great food and wine but rather the stories and experience behind the vineyard, and Yabby Lake has this in abundance. Is it exceptional hand crafted wines passed from winemaker to cellar door you are looking for?

Whispering Vines

Trofeo Estate is situated on the iconic Harrisons Road precinct of Dromana - in the 1930’s it was a passionfruit plantation - it is one of the Pen’s oldest vineyards but newest wineries. From the moment you enter the property, with it’s oak lined driveway, you’re surrounded by vines & beautiful rural views.

Modern Mediterranean fare

After a relatively cold and wet winter on the peninsula, Spring has sprung and the boys are in full swing with a fresh and reinvigorated menu. Every time we mention Volpino, someone inevitably says, “Oh, I love that place!” Located on entry to Mount Martha Village by the sea, Volpino has a great outdoor deck that capitalises on those beautiful sunny days and the idea of a leisurely lunch, but its also complemented by the coziness of an indoor dinning room.

Picture-perfect backdrop in Dromana

Zac and Jacqui Poulier, established Stillwater at Crittenden in 2004. Both have extensive culinary experience in Melbourne, and around the world. After working and travelling the world together, they returned to the Pen and the rest as they say is history.

Harvested by hand in Red Hill

The Red Hill Lavender Farm & Distillery produces a small variety of exceptional & effective products containing only pure essential oils – it’ a dream come true for Kylie and Brad Crump and their daughters. Inspired by the beauty of Provence, they hand-planted fields of lavender.

Looking for inspiration

Spring is in the air and whilst we may encounter many sunny and warm days on the Pen the late afternoon and evenings are still cool. The Italians would say ‘primavera non ti scoprire’, meaning in Spring, don’t get undressed, yet, as you may still encounter cool days and if you’re looking for a beautiful cashmere wrap or light merino jumper to keep your warmth then head to Red Hill House (RHH).

Essence Food for the Soul

When chef husband and wife team Jim and Melanie Houston got married at the Portsea Hotel, little did they know that 10 years later they would buy a business across the road from the Portsea Hotel and live in it with their three children for the best part of a year. That business is now known as Essence Food for the Soul. As chefs, life for Jim and Melanie was busy, particularly with three young children. The long hours took a strain, and they were ready to make a lifestyle change within the food industry. Sometimes everything falls into place and you find the ideal scenario, and this wholesale food business was perfect for the chef team. Essence Food for the Soul is all about the best quality produce made into delicious, heat and serve meals that help the time poor to eat well.

Exquisite choice of food and wine

Once you settle in at Lindenderry Red Hill you may well lose yourself in this picturesque, European styled luxury estate. The hotel is created as an intimate world of its own with everything you need either within the property or in the acres of gardens which surrounds you but the other advantage is that it’s smack bang in the middle of Red Hill and the exquisite choices of food and wine experiences or it’s ‘alfresco activity’ – you can walk, crawl or ride to anywhere and back from here.