Take a drive down to Yabby Lake Vineyard on the Mornington Peninsula - your first stop off the freeway, just 50 minutes from Melbourne. Check out the bright, freshly renovated space and Chef Simon West's relaxed lunch menu, a beautiful match for the Single Vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Yabby Lake Vineyard was established in Tuerong by the Kirby family in 1998, and the team has been led by renowned winemaker Tom Carson since 2008. Over the past decade, the vineyard has built a reputation for single vineyard wines of exceptional character - achieving great critical acclaim in recent years. The winery made history in 2013 as the first pinot noir ever to win the revered Jimmy Watson trophy, after 52 years of the award.
Open every day for lunch and tastings, the cellar door has established a loyal following for its welcoming atmosphere, warm hospitality, strong wine focus and single estate espresso by Market Lane.
Renowned local chef Simon West brings with him a wealth of expertise working in cool climate regions, a myriad of local produce and a lightness of touch befitting the purity and finesse of the wines from this special site.
The menu changes daily and focuses on simple yet refined, seasonal fare - start with beautiful Bass Strait scallop or arancini, move on to sharing plates such as house-made trout rillettes or farmyard chicken and green olive terrine, then settle in for beautifully cooked confit duck leg or organic Victorian beef.
The enhanced cellar door space features an expanse of large-scale windows embracing the stunning vineyard landscape, a new deck with large recycled timber beams overhead and a new, dedicated tasting area.
Visitors can also lounge by the inviting open fire and enjoy the growing collection of contemporary artworks, both inside and out.
