New reasons to discover The Bellarine Taste Trail
The Bellarine Taste Trail takes in wineries, restaurants, cafes, provedores, farmgates, accommodation and tour operators. The Trail has recently welcomed several newcomers, providing plenty of incentives to visit the region.
The Bellarine is home to some of Australia’s best cool climate wineries, which now includes the artisan Basils Farm, who specialise in handcrafted, biodynamic wines. Stop by the cellar door from Thursday to Sunday for tastings of chardonnay, rose, pinot noir and shiraz and take in the stunning views over Swan Bay to Queenscliff.
Other top wineries along the trail include Bellarine Estate Winery, Jack Rabbit Vineyard, Oakdene Vineyards, Scotchmans Hill, Terindah Estate, Curlewis Winery, Baie Wines and McGlashans Estate.
Those with a taste for cider must visit the new architecturally designed Flying Brick Cider House in the heart of the Bellarine, home to the fastest growing cider brand in Australia. It is the ideal destination for a refreshing apple or pear cider on the lawn on a sunny day. All Flying Brick ciders are naturally crafted, made from 100 percent fruit and free from added sugar, colours or concentrates.
Flying Brick Cider House is also home to the exclusive new Bellarine winery Yes Said the Seal, which offers an exclusive range of premium reserve sparkling, sancerre, chardonnay, pinot noir and shiraz. Flying Brick Cider House is open daily for lunch and for dinner on Friday and Saturday.
The Barwon Heads Wine Store on Hitchcock Avenue and Noble Rot Wine Bar in Point Lonsdale are two other great new spots to stop for locally produced wine. The latter also offers casual dining, with a cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Oakdene, which has a fine dining restaurant, luxurious accommodation and a quirky cellar door shaped like an upside-down house, has just launched casual eatery – Mr Grubb. Offering a menu including share plates, salads, pizzas, burgers, sliders and much more, guests can sit amongst the silver birches on the decking for a relaxing meal. Mr Grubb is open daily for lunch and Friday and Saturday for dinner.
Family run business,Advance Mussel Supply, has been farming mussels in Port Phillip Bay for over 25 years. They have recently opened a new shop on the Portarlington-Queenscliff Road, allowing visitors to either try the tasty fare onsite or pick up famous Portarlington mussels or fresh Angasi oysters to take home. They are open on weekends year round and daily during school holidays.
Those looking for further tasty treats to take home with them can visit Wildings Pantry Essentials to stock up on their range of 57 products including spices, condiments, sweet things and dressings. All goods are lovingly made by Anna and the Wildings team in their St Leonards kitchen. Many ingredients are sourced locally, including tomatoes from Lonsdale Tomato Farm and olives and oils from Lighthouse Olive Oil.
Also new to the Trail is Oyl Events, which has opened in the former home of the acclaimed restaurant Loam. Oyl’s eatery is open to the public on Sundays from 11am to 3pm, offering delicious homemade goods. The venue has quickly established itself as a popular spot for weddings and events, set among the surrounds of the olive grove.
