Since 1988, Mornington Peninsula Cellar Doors have provided a warm and friendly welcome to visitors throughout the Queen’s Birthday long weekend. This year is no exception and visitors will find many new releases alongside fine food and music in Cellar Doors. The launch of the Winter Wine Fest, which is held on Saturday 6 June at Red Hill Reserve from 11am to 4pm, includes wine seminars for those interested in finding out more, but also a chance to speak with the regions’ winemakers.

In February this year, Jancis Robinson MW was keynote speaker at the biennial Mornington Peninsula International Pinot Noir Celebration. Following her visit, she wrote: ‘The celebration focussed on the 2006 vintage, but 2007 was being described as a watershed vintage for the region, yielding the finest quality yet, with a usefully cool December and January followed by a warm summer that resulted in greater ripeness and intensity than usual. The most notable feature of Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir is its refreshing acidity and purity.’ Jancis Robinson, 5 March 2009

The Winter Wine Fest features over 200 wines on taste and for sale by the glass or the case from 50 Mornington Peninsula vineyards including Ten Minutes by Tractor, Willow Creek Vineyard, Red Hill Estate, Paradigm Hill, Yabby Lake, Paringa, Stumpy Gully Vineyard and Kooyong – all undercover. More serious wine lovers can enrol in one (or all) of the tutored mini tasting seminars that will be held throughout the Winter Wine Fest day. It’s a great way to learn more about the Peninsula’s wines, growing techniques and their impact on flavour and wine styles.

Warming winter foods including calamari, spare ribs, quesadillas, pies and paella will be provided by local cafe/restaurants including Montalto and Two Buoys. A selection of Mornington Peninsula gourmet providores will also be showcased, along with local favourites the Flying Calamari Brothers, Elfreds, and coffee provided by Café Jett

Entry to the Winter Wine Fest is $35 at the door, or $30 pre-booked and includes an MPVA wineglass, Seminar attendance (limited numbers available, book in on a first come first served basis on the day) and a comprehensive Tasting Book. Food purchases are not included. Transport options to the event will be coordinated by Red Hill Shuttle and tickets for designated drivers will also be available.

For bookings and further information on any of the Winter Wine Weekend events please phone Cheryl Lee (03) 5989 2377 or check the MPVA website: www.mpva.com.au.