If you’re planning a picnic, don’t just settle for any old salami and cheddar. The Bellarine and Moorabool Valley have some incredible vineyards, provedores, wine bars and cellar doors offering platters and tasting boards. And as one of Victoria’s premier growing regions, there’s a good chance that everything on your plate has been sourced locally. So you’re not just getting a good feed, you’re supporting Bellarine farmers and makers, too.
Established in 1996, Lethbridge has carved a name for itself in the Moorabool Valley, but it’s also got a sister vineyard, Hat Rock, on the Bellarine Peninsula. Either way, a Lethbridge cellar door session usually involves a glass of sparkling Pét-Nat wine (think notes of white peach blossom, red apples and grapefruit) and the kind of charcuterie platter that makes you want to move to Provence. Lethbridge’s on-site providore stocks a huge range of local and international cheeses, meats, sardines and relishes, too. You can even grab some to take home.
Lethbridge Wines, Lethbridge
Lethbridge Wines, Lethbridge
Little Malop Street is the coolest spot in Geelong, and the coolest spot on Little Malop is (arguably) Geelong Cellar Door. This is a one-stop shop for wine lovers, and there are plenty of bottles you can grab to stock the cellar, but we recommend stopping by after dark for a cheese and charcuterie platter. Think creamy Meredith’s goat’s cheese, free range pork shoulder, pistachio terrine, tart little cornichons, mixed pickles and mustard. Ingredients change with the seasons, and there’s a platter to suit every budget. Try and snag a spot near the crackling fire, if you can.
Geelong Cellar Door, Geelong
Geelong Cellar Door, Geelong
Geelong Cellar Door, Geelong
Geelong Cellar Door, Geelong
With its panoramic views out towards the You Yangs, and a focus on cool climate wines, Jack Rabbit has become a bit of a Bellarine staple over the years. Winemaker Nyall Condon is known for letting his wine do the talking – minimal intervention, no funny business, just the natural character of each varietal. Grab a seat on the outdoor patio and tuck into the Meat Lovers Charcuterie: Barwon Valley Ham, Bellarine Beef pastrami, smoked chorizo, spicy nduja, gooey feta, crusty bread and sauerkraut. It’s one of the best platters in the region. And the views don’t hurt, either.
Jack Rabbit Winery, Bellarine
Jack Rabbit Winery, Bellarine
Jack Rabbit Winery, Bellarine
Jack Rabbit Winery, Bellarine
Is there a better place to be in summer than outdoors at The Whiskery? Glass of gin in one hand, boozy baked brie in the other? Grab a seat under the trees and tuck into a range of platters, from mussels Escabeche with pickled onions and guindillas to duck liver pate or house beet hummus with basil oil. The large share boards here are very fairly priced, and they go down pretty smooth with The Whiskery’s collection of local and international spirits. We’re partial to the Bellarine’s own Teddy & The Fox, but there are dozens of drops to choose from.
The Whiskery, Drysdale
The Whiskery, Drysdale
The Whiskery, Drysdale
Griggs Creek Providore features the Bellarine Taste Trail Platter, and it's a must try. This little box comes fully stocked with a selection of cheeses, cold meats, local-made dips, chocolates, crackers and dried fruit. They even throw in cutlery, so you can have a proper fancy picnic.
Griggs Creek Providore, Curlewis
Griggs Creek Providore, Curlewis
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