Mornington PeninsulaWine Tours
Ringed by two bays and the Southern Ocean, the Mornington Peninsula is where Melbourne's winemakers built a cool-climate world 90 minutes from the CBD: the closest thing Victoria has to Burgundy by the sea.
Choosing your Mornington Peninsula wine tour
The Peninsula is where Melbourne goes to slow down: an hour from the city, Pinot Noir country to the horizon, and more than 20 tour operators who all understand the assignment. Private tours dominate, with 20 operators running dedicated days from $139 to $250, while the small-group operators are proudly local, led by guides who live here. Most visitors book a full day: 4 to 5 cellar doors, a winery restaurant lunch, and the coastal detours that make this region unlike anywhere else in Victorian wine.
Wine, springs, and the sea
No other Australian wine region pairs its tastings with hot springs and a coastline, and the tours lean into it: our hot springs and wine guide covers the region's signature combination, and operators fold in Cape Schanck lookouts and beach-box photo stops on request. Coming from the city? The from-Melbourne guide compares day-trip options, and what the Peninsula is famous for explains why Pinot rules here. At the indulgent end, helicopter winery lunches and yacht formats exist too.
Occasions and planning
A hens weekend here runs on private vehicles, sparkling starts, and a springs finish, and corporate days trade on the hour-from-Melbourne convenience. The cost guide breaks down every price tier, and the luxury guide covers the top end. Browse the operators below, filter by style or duration, and enquire directly with the ones that fit your dates.
Experiences
3 itineraries matching your filters
Dreamscape Tours
Group winery tours across Melbourne's four wine regions — party bus, host and lunch sorted.
Duration
Full day
Wilsons Wine Tours
Wilsons Wine Tours
Geelong-owned wine tour operator — private or public, always a fun day.
Duration
Full day
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Mornington Peninsula wine tour cost?
Day tours run from $139 to $250 per person including tastings, with most full days between $150 and $228. Chauffeured 5-star formats start around $198, and helicopter or yacht add-ons are quoted separately.
How far is the Mornington Peninsula from Melbourne?
About an hour's drive south. Several operators collect from Melbourne hotels for day tours, and local operators pick up from Peninsula accommodation, Mornington, and Mount Martha.
What wine is the Mornington Peninsula famous for?
Pinot Noir above all, with Chardonnay and Pinot Gris close behind. The maritime climate produces elegant cool-climate wines, and most tastings across the region lead with the Pinot family.
Can you combine a wine tour with the hot springs?
Yes, it is the region's signature day: cellar doors through the middle, hot springs to finish. Some operators build it into a single itinerary, and most private formats will add a springs session on request.
How many wineries can you visit in one day?
Four to five cellar doors with a lunch stop on a full day. The wineries cluster tightly between Red Hill, Main Ridge, and Merricks, so travel time between stops stays short.
When is the best time to visit the Peninsula's wineries?
Year-round, with different moods: summer pairs tastings with the coast, vintage in late summer and autumn brings winery activity, and winter is peak season for long lunches and the hot springs. The Winter Wine Weekend in June is the calendar highlight.
The Dossier
The Peninsula is 90 minutes south of Melbourne via the Mornington Peninsula Freeway, or a leisurely ferry ride from Docklands on a summer weekend. Red Hill is the unofficial hub; the ridge road between Red Hill and Main Ridge passes more cellar doors per kilometre than almost anywhere in Australia. Accommodation is strong and a two-day visit starts to feel like the minimum once you arrive.
Summer (December to February) is hectic with beach traffic; experienced visitors come in March and April when harvest is on, the crowds thin, and the light turns golden over the bay. October and November are the Peninsula at its most photogenic: flowering orchards alongside budbursting vines. July and August are the insiders' months: oysters from the bay, open fireplaces, and cellar door staff who actually have time to talk.
Pinot Noir is the prestige varietal: the Peninsula's maritime influence and volcanic soils produce examples that regularly outperform wines twice their price internationally. Pinot Gris and Chardonnay are strong supporting acts. The food and produce scene is exceptional: the Red Hill markets, a string of hatted restaurants sourcing from vineyards next door, and a general sense that this is a peninsula that takes its eating seriously. Cellar doors here are polished; the tasting experiences tend to match the quality of the wine.
Curated Reads
Tell us what you're after
Send one enquiry and we'll match you with the right Mornington Peninsula operator for your group. No cost, no obligation.
Not sure which operator?
We'll match you with the right tour