Barmah Park Vineyard: A welcome escape
The original Pinot Noir vines at Barmah Park were planted in 1998. The property was originally a cattle farm, but the owners decided to make the most of the rich soil and transformed it into a beautiful estate at the gateway to the Mornington Peninsula.
Each subsequent owner has added their touch to the property, which now includes a restaurant with panoramic views of the rolling vineyard, a large cellar door, and three premium ranges of wine. The vines sprawl right up to the back deck of the restaurant and visitors get to experience seasonal food and premium wine surrounded by nature. The free-flowing open plan and floor-to-ceiling windows ensure that all guests enjoy the views of the vines, no matter where they are seated.
The current owner has worked in the hospitality industry for years, mostly in bars, nightclubs, and festivals. He was looking for an opportunity to offer relaxed social experiences with premium wine at the centre of it all. Barmah Park was the perfect avenue to celebrate the golden beaches, vineyard-dotted hills, and rich biodiversity that the Mornington Peninsula is known for.
The Mornington Peninsula with a Barmah Park Touch
The Mornington Peninsula is a unique wine region surrounded by three bodies of water. Barmah Park’s wine collection celebrates the region’s cool climate and maritime influence while adding a unique twist.
The Arthur’s seat range boasts four premium wines produced from grapes grown on-site, while The Lighthouse Range blends grapes from the Mornington Peninsula, Barossa Valley, and Heathcote wine regions. The Limited Vintage also includes a vintage Pinot Noir which is made from grapes handpicked onsite and embodies the heart of Barmah Park.
Barmah Park’s Pinot Gris is a great example of their stylistic experimentation. The 2022 Lighthouse Pinot Gris is handpicked and whole bunch pressed to French oak barrels, creating a traditional style with stone fruit flavours and subtle notes of rose, ginger and spice. Meanwhile, the 2021 Boatshed Pinot Gris is produced on skins, adding a tannin twist to ripe apricot and floral flavours.
Barmah Park’s 2022 Lighthouse Chardonnay also has a refreshing maritime accent, blending cream, peach, and waxy lemon flavours with a long saline finish. The 2019 Vintage Pinot Noir has complex earthy aromas mixed with leather and spice characteristics, all wrapped up in a core of blood plum that pairs perfectly with a hearty winter feast.
Building local connections
Ultimately, Barmah Park exists to create local connections and celebrate the beauty of the Mornington Peninsula. They value bringing people together and food and wine are the tools that they use to get them talking.
Barmah Park constantly celebrates the relationship between food, wine, and community. The team loves hosting refined dining experiences in an inviting setting that makes everyone feel welcome. Their menu is also a celebration of the best local and seasonal produce available at any point in time.
The head chef has worked his magic at Barmah Park for years and collaborates with local suppliers weekly to showcase the best of the region.
This winter, the menu featured hand-rolled ricotta gnocchi with Tyabb forest mushrooms, Red Hill winter truffle, cauliflower blossoms, and pumpkin seeds. By springtime, the same gnocchi dish was served with new local ingredients such as pumpkin, Koo We Rup asparagus, roast hazelnut, stracciatella, and crispy sage.
Since the kitchen is adaptive, there is always something new to try and dishes can change every couple of weeks. Individual garnishes and ingredients can even change weekly if there is produce that the kitchen is eager to showcase.
Ultimately, Barmah Park exists to create local connections and celebrate the beauty of the Mornington Peninsula. They value bringing people together and food and wine are the tools that they use to get them talking. Every ingredient on the menu and flavour in the wine has a story about the people and places in the region.
Coming together
James Salvini, Barmah Park’s Restaurant and Cellar Door Manager is passionate about creating positive experiences for people. “Barmah Park has a strong connection with its regulars. We produce a wining and dining experience that stacks up with the best of the Mornington Peninsula and makes people feel comfortable. We love seeing people enjoy themselves and come back for more. Wine has been enjoyed by people for a long time and we create it to help people celebrate and come together, whether it’s in a restaurant setting or at home.”
Experience Wine From Barmah Park Vineyard
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