Food & Wine
The Bellarine is famous for it's award winning fine dining restaurants, world class wineries, stylish providores and not to mention it's sublime locally-harvested mussels and a variety of other local produce including blueberries and local Drysdale Cheese.
The local fishing fleet provide a steady supply of the freshest fish and other seafood caught in the bay and Bass Strait. Fresh seafood can be purchased in most towns on The Bellarine and easily purchased at a local restaurant for lunch or dinner in any town.
Find below just some of the food and wine experiences available on The Bellarine!
The Bellarine Taste Trail
Bellarine Peninsula is emerging as one of Victoria’s newest gourmet destinations-to-watch, thanks to an abundance of new and innovative food and wine related offerings most notably the new Bellarine Taste Trail.
Wineries
The Bellarine’s reputation as a fine-wine producer grows with every vintage.
The Bellarine has over 25 vineyards and 16 wineries producing distinctly cool climate, maritime influenced wines. With most vineyards featuring uninterrupted bay views - it's no wonder The Bellarine is fast becoming the destination of choice for a day trip from Melbourne or indulgent weekend away.
A detailed map of The Bellarine is available to help you navigate the region's cellar doors and other features. Stop by the Visitor Information Centre for a copy of the map or order one online by emailing: ecrameri@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
Farmgates & Produce
The Bellarine has an array of farmgates and providores producing the first products. A couple of farmgates to add to your Must Do List include:
Tuckerberry Hill Blueberries (part of Bellarine Taste Trail)
35 Becks Road, Drysdale
Ph: 03 5251 3468
Contact: David or Chris
Tuckerberry Hill Blueberry farm allows ones to come and pick their own berries between December & March each year. Tuckerberry now has it’s own onsite café and berry shop. Opened Boxing Day 2009! The menu offering includes cool refreshments and coffee, sandwiches and cakes, plus all things blueberry such as fresh picked blueberries, homemade blueberry muffins and blueberry ice-cream. In addition to the exciting new café, Tuckerberry Hill is also launching to the public their very own home grown, chemical free Garlic. The Garlic will be available for purchase in pre-packed handful sized bunches, direct from the new café!
Lighthouse Olive Grove (part of Bellarine Taste Trail)
650 Andersons Road, Drysdale (located under Loam at Lighthouse Restaurant)
Ph: 03 5251 1100
Contact: Tina or Rosie
Lighthouse Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a multi-award winning olive oil, grown and cold pressed on the Bellarine Peninsula. With 11,000 trees grown on 165 acres overlooking Swan Bay and Queenscliff, Lighthouse is the largest olive grove on The Bellarine. Loam shares the property with Lighthouse Olive Groves. The Olive Mill Shop allows you to taste an array of olives, and olive oil – but it also stocks a huge array of other produce and delights. It’s a bit of a hidden gem.
Drysdale Goats Cheese (part of Bellarine Taste Trail)
Phone: 03 5251 1449
Contact: Corinne Blacket
Drysdale Goats Cheese is the only commercial goat cheese manufacturer on the Bellarine Peninsula. Registered in December 2005, the cheese making concentrates on small quantities of fine, hand-crafted cheese made from the milk of their small herd of Saanen milking goats. Corinne Blacket is a Pharmacist who makes a selection of mighty fine goats cheese. You can even visit the herd of goats and their kids by appointment. Drysdale Goat’s Cheese do not have a farmgate door, but their cheese is available for purchase from Bellarine Estate cellar door and other fine restaurants and providores on The Bellarine.
McGlashans Wallington Estate (part of Bellarine Taste Trail)
225 Swan Bay Road, Wallington
Phone: (03) 5250 5760
Contact: Russell and Jan McGlashan
Visit the new cellar door for a Wine Tasting and enjoy their vintage car display, maritime and automotive display. They specialise in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Shiraz. Russell McGlashan is a keen Abalone Diver, and is one of only two locations on the Bellarine where you can purchase local Abalone. The Abalone is also a feature on McGlashan’s renowned grazing platter, which features mussels, cheeses, breads, oils, olives, and an array of other produce. Not for the faint hearted – this platter is really impressive!
Restaurants & Cafes
The Bellarine is fast becoming renouned for it's fantastic, awarding winning restaurants and cafe's. A few Must Try's include:
Loam
650 Andersons Rd, Drysdale
Phone: (03) 5251 1101
Formerly chef at Athelstone House, Aaron Turner's meteoric rise has now culminated in the opening of his newest venture, Loam at Lighthouse which opened in July 2009. Loam shares the property with Lighthouse Olive Groves and has a sanctuary-like dining space, with its sweeping views across the treetops to Swan Bay. Part of the novelty of Loam lies in it’s menu card, printed every month it lists some 80 seasonal ingredients in alphabetical order. Guests have the option of four, seven or nine courses, nominating ingredients that take their fancy and leaving it to the kitchen to create dishes accordingly.
Athelstane House
4 Hobson Street, Queenscliff
Ph: 03 5258 1024
Built in 1860, Athelstane House is Queenscliff's oldest operating guesthouse. In 1999 a complete interior renovation added many contemporary luxuries but the building still maintains its historic exterior. A 2010 Age Good Food Guide’s one hat award winner, Athelstane provides an unforgettable dining experience.
Oakdene Vineyard & Restaurant (part of Bellarine Taste Trail)
255 Grubb Rd, Wallington
Phone 03 5255 1255
An original 1920’s homestead Oakdene has been beautifully restored and boasts an eclectic, lush art garden setting offering dining, accommodation, cellar door and its very own vineyards. Renowned as “a fantastic addition to the region’s dining scene with absolutely flawless execution and presentation,” the Oakdene menu showcases an array of fresh local produce and an exquisite wine selection. This is certainly a must see on the Bellarine, not only can you experience some of the finest cuisine but it also boasts beautiful gardens, a huge orchid display, award winning wines and the most eclectic and amazing accommodation rooms.