Montalto Estate – A Sensory Masterpiece (and a Test of Willpower)

From the moment we arrived at Montalto Estate, we were welcomed with warmth and enthusiasm. Mark’s exceptional meet-and-greet set the stage for what would be a truly immersive experience—one filled with world-class wine, stunning surroundings, and a farm-to-table philosophy that elevated everything we tasted.

The Setting & Experience:

Montalto is more than just a winery; it’s an experience that engages all the senses. The rolling vineyards, sculpture-dotted gardens, and breathtaking views created an atmosphere of pure relaxation. The estate’s market garden and homegrown produce featured prominently in the restaurant’s menu, offering an authentic farm-to-table dining experience that paired beautifully with the wines.

However, our visit came with an extra layer of drama—our friend Mike, who had recently sworn off drinking, bravely accompanied us. Watching him navigate this wine-lover’s paradise while abstaining was akin to taking a heroin addict on a guided tour of opium dens. Every swirl, sip, and sigh of appreciation from us must have felt like exquisite torture. But to his credit, he held strong—though his wistful glances at our glasses suggested that deep down, he was reconsidering his life choices.

The Service:

The staff at Montalto were nothing short of exceptional—warm, knowledgeable, and seamless in their service. They guided us through the tasting with genuine enthusiasm, offering insightful details about each wine while making the experience feel effortless and engaging.

The Wine – Shiraz as the Standout:

While every wine was impressive, the Shiraz was the undisputed star. Rich and expressive, it unfolded in layers of dark berries, spice, and velvety tannins, striking the perfect balance between depth and elegance. It was the kind of wine that lingered on the palate and in the memory—though perhaps for Mike, it lingered more as an unfulfilled longing.

Final Thoughts:

Montalto Estate is a place where everything feels thoughtfully curated, from the warm hospitality to the exceptional wines, fresh garden-to-table cuisine, and even the subtle charm of locally made soy candles. Whether you’re indulging in every sip or practicing saint-like restraint (Mike, we salute you), Montalto is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the best of the Mornington Peninsula.

Rating: 5/5 (A flawless blend of hospitality, atmosphere, and world-class wine—even for those on a drinking hiatus!)

Loved everything about Montalto, and we are looking forward to going back.
The $70 "Feed Me" special in the Piazza was varied and filling and the wines were excellent. The pizzas and other menu items being served looked delicious. Service was 'spot on' and the outdoor seating on the day we visited was excellent, shaded with views overlooking the vineyard.
The walk through the sculpture park was enjoyable and needed after a very satisfying meal.

Great food, expensive but tasty. Beautiful outdoor seating area, with delicious small plates. We found that the Wood-fired Focaccia lacked oil and seasoning. However the halloumi, pate, croquets and capricciosa were divine.

vegetarian main underwhelming We went to Montalto for our anniversary, and notified them of our dietary requirements (vegetarian and pescatarian) when booking. The service was good, and while most of the menu was vegetarian, their choice of vegetarian main course was extremely underwhelming and disappointing. My partner had a very well seasoned and well cooked piece of fish, while the vegetarian option was a quarter of lettuce that had been pan fried and served with pesto, nothing more than a side dish being passed off as a main dish. A complete let down. If this was 1990s I could expect this poor excuse as a main dish, but it’s 2024. Please do better.

Came down here on a Monday afternoon day before Christmas Eve. We didn’t have to wait for a seat though it was outside on a rainy Melbourne summer day. The menu was mainly pizzas and finger foods, mainly Italian inspired with Australian produce. We got 3 pizzas and the dough was thin like a biscuit and the toppings were amazing. The cheese melted was top notch and each pizza dough was hand stretched and pizza oven baked.
We then went for a walk in the wide space in the vineyard and were greeted with sculptures and fine weather.
All in all Montalto is a great stop in Red Hill region.

Montalto has always been one of my favourite wineries in Melbourne. We enjoyed their pizzas from Piazza, their wines and olive oil.

We have booked the private picnics before, and the set menu experience in the restaurant a bunch of times.

The picnic food was mostly cold 🥹 feel like not worth the $$, I really liked the concept tho, and the environment was amazing, suitable for a nice date or girls' day out.

The food tho, was a bit mid this time. The mussels were fishy. The beef roast was overcooked a bit too. The starter bread and butter was my favourite.

We would definitely come back, will update my rating in the future if my opinion changes.

Loved taking photos in the winery, and loved how family friendly it was.

Went here for the food and the ambience and it did not disappoint. Best food all weekend on our Mornington trip. Everything was a 10/10, pizzas were the best for mains and then all the entree starting dishes were all a must . Besides the food, the overall premise was nice to walk about. Service team there was awesome. We did the casual dining option where you could sit outside and choose your order > set menu.

Well worth a visit Fantastic location overlooking the vines.Quality sharing plates ($125 a head) with super fresh food.The recently released Spring Menu was very tasty.Make sure you get the matching Montalto wines at $60 a head which was great value.Well worth a visit.

Great Red Hill winery Sensational meal after a very informative wine tasting. Our sommelier was lovely and we purchased wines, gin and jam. The dining area was busy and the staff and atmosphere made for a very pleasant lunch. We shared the cray tail risotto and fish of the day with a side of beetroot and curd. Every mouthful was devine.

Just celebrated my 50th with my nearest and dearest on a sunny wintery day. Amazing kind service during our entire time and I couldn't have asked for a better birthday celebration!
A scrumptious meal that we all truly enjoyed and of course, the weather was icing on the cake! We didn't have time to wander about but I sure hope to be back for that some day!

Loved the Winter Menu Wonderful lunch at Montalto on a beautiful winter’s day.The Winter Menu was pretty special.Tasty and generous serves.Emphasis on vegetables from their kitchen garden (well done Jules).We really liked the smoked fish rillette,fennel and pork crackling.Then the Braised beef,celeriac with cipollini onions.All matched with a bottle of 2022 Tuerong Pinot Noir.Great service by Jade.A perfect Sunday lunch

Dogs not welcome!! Very disappointed a touristy area - with outdoor seating but was headed off at the door and told that Dogs were not allowed (very politely)- with no other recommendations as to where a dog would be welcome ( tried Tucks and was told the same by Jen who was very helpful and polite who also provided a list of dog friendly establishments- if you have a dog go to the Green Olive - we highly recommend it - dog friendly and very relaxed !

Montalto Winery offers a delightful escape for both wine enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. For a modest fee of $15, guests can indulge in a wine tasting experience that impresses with its quality and variety, making it a standout option for those looking to savor the local vineyard offerings. While the piazza food is reasonably priced and generally satisfactory, it's the pizzas that truly shine. Beyond the culinary delights, Montalto also features a captivating sculpture trail, which visitors can explore during a leisurely 45-minute walk. This trail not only adds a cultural touch to the visit but enhances the overall experience, making Montalto a must-visit destination!

Locals favorite winery in Red Hill South Today was so it yourself wine tour and this winery was the first based in the recommendation of my daughter’s friends who say this is the winery where locals like to go. The taste test was the least expensive out of the three winery today coming in at $66 USD for two people. The taste testing was free since we purchased two wine bottles. We tasted 7 wines which were very good. The cellar store was small and quaint and the restaurant was a nice size. Overall the winery was very nice and understand why the locals love it here.

First time here, very nice place lots of green around just a perfect autumn day.
We had luxury experience vouchers and we choose to go a Montalto.
We had a wine tasting at the start our host very knowledgeable and we appreciate it the time she spend with us explaining all the wines.
After the tasting we been moved to the piazza restaurant for our meal. Really nice experience food was delicious nice service and great wine.
Thank you for your hospitality

Nestled amidst stunning vistas, the winery offers a breathtaking backdrop for a leisurely day out. However, the charm falters when it comes to service, lacking attentiveness and warmth. Disappointingly, the Easter Sunday set menu lacks customization options and fails to cater to diverse tastes. Moreover, the waiter did not offer us the option of still or sparking water and only served sparking water. I have not attended this winery on a regular day so I cannot comment on the other food options.

We were gifted a picnic at Montalto and absolutely loved the experience. It begins with a wine tasting in the main building and we got to take a bottle of our favourite wine with us. We then walked through the vineyards to our private picnic table which was set with white linen. Our entree was waiting for us, and mains and desserts were delivered later by motorbike. We could have had more drinks delivered as well but we were driving. My recommendation is to get a taxi here so you can really enjoy a lazy, long lunch!
We loved our day here and will be copying the gift idea for any future weddings we go to!

Food never arrived Waiting for a table not unreasonable, but then waited over an hour for food only to be told the docket hadn’t printed. Apparently printer issues. Yet nobody checked or was vigilant that orders hadn’t been missed. Already 3pm so left.

Not only worth the stop, worth a detour and the trip there. For me this place should be at least a 4.6, you can’t ask for more. The service is very efficient, we got free wine tasting (2 wines), the views outside over the vineyards are splendid and the food is delicious. The wine goes without saying, the 2022 Chardonnay was very nice indeed.

Great lunch spot Montalto is one of the few wineries in the area that offers a casual lunch, which is why we chose it. There are nice seating areas inside and out that overlook the vineyard. The atmosphere is welcoming and classy with fun music playing that maintains a casual vibe. The lunch menu is mostly appetizers and pizza, which is just what we wanted with a glass wine. We enjoyed everything we ordered then took a leisurely walk thought the sculpture garden. I would recommend Montalto to anyone looking for a casual wine tasting and/or lunch in the area.

Awesome place to have brunch/lunch at Mornington. The food was fabulous, and the coffee was amazing. Love the whole atmosphere of the place, including its picnic area, gardens, and the wetlands walk. We reached around 1 o clock for Saturday lunch, the place was full, and we had to wait for 40 minutes to get our table. The service was quick and efficient.

Wonderful day out at Montalto Piazza. Good evening folks., went to Shoreham today { Friday 09/02/2024 } to visit friends and we decided to go to Montalto Piazza for lunch and as per our last visit we were not disappointed, Pizza's were wonderful along with the side dishes of Beetroot Salad, Fries with red sauce were excellent, drinks were all served nice and cold. The girls serving us were very polite and well mannered along with an excellent knowledge of the Lunch Menu. There were 4 of us dining and we all discussed the venue in detail as we had all been there before, we finished of with desserts of Lemon Tart and Rich Chocolate Cake which were excellent. All 4 of us would highly recomend The Piazza at Montalto Winery for lunch. To finish of my review I would like to thank the young Ladies who served our table for their impeccable service and making our visit most enjoyable.

Disappointing tasting. We'd read good things about this winery and decided to visit for a tasting. We don't object to a tasting fee, but for $15 each we do expect some courtesy and more than just a mechanical reading of the standard spiel - especially when the two blokes at the next table were being treated like old friends (which they well might have been). No water was provided and certainly nothing to nibble on. And nothing off the standard 6 wine tasting list was offered. The wines themselves were high quality and enjoyable. We visit a lot of wineries and usually enjoy the engagement and enthusiasm of the hosts. One of the few times we have walked away without buying. A real shame.

Lovely walk in wine tasting What a great winery to visit . The cellar door experience was so good . 6 wines for $15 - which were amazing . A great sommelier who knew so much - and the scenery was so good . Wish we had stayed for lunch as the pizzas looked so good ????

Lovely Really lovely experience (especially as we got engaged here!) - great views, great vibes and great wines. What more could you want

Lovely Really lovely experience (especially as we got engaged here!) - great views, great vibes and great wines. What more could you want

We had a beautiful lunch here. The food and service was exceptional, as were the wine pairings. One of my favourite meals ever! The burnt whipped butter, the lamb and the veggie course ????

We had the Red Balloon wine tasting and lunch in the piazza on a Saturday in January. This is such a busy place it's amazing how many people turn up!
Wine tasting was a nice experience upstairs followed by a three course set lunch in the piazza area.
Wines were nice and we were given extra as we asked to try some stronger reds.
The food was enjoyable too and well portioned. All round it was a good experience.

Date/time of visit: 5 January 2024 at 12:15pm

A beautiful show case of food. We dined at The Restaurant and you are served a set menu for a fixed price. There are options to have wine pairings with each course at a higher price or order by the bottle or by the glass (we ordered by the glass). There are also a couple of options for additional sides, choice of two, for an extra price (we ordered an extra side of a tiger prawn). Each dish was a sharing dish with enough food for the number of people seated at your table. A dining session is approximately two hours and this was our only complaint…we felt rushed at the beginning of our meal and still had 45 minutes to spare at the end of the meal before we officially had to leave. The food itself was delicately prepared. Every ingredient was familiar and, therefore, not daring us to eat it. Instead, the chefs highlighted how every day ingredients (carrots, beans, fish, lamb, snow peas, sugar snap peas, bread, butter) can be raised up to something more. Vegetables were showcased in their own dishes with magnificence without the need for a protein. The fish and the lamb were beautiful. The staff were excellent. The venue was fine dining but relaxed. The dining room has a lovely view over the valley and the surround hills. After lunch we explored the sculpture trail (which is also well worth the visit). Bookings are essential (we had to book approximately 2 weeks in advance to get the sitting time we preferred). Price point to food quality and service was excellent.

Great pizza We hadn’t booked a table so our wait time was about half an hour so we walked around the sculpture garden Super food and amazing wines Couldn’t fault the service either

Great pizza We hadn’t booked a table so our wait time was about half an hour so we walked around the sculpture garden Super food and amazing wines Couldn’t fault the service either

We had a picnic and it exceeded our expectations! From the minute we walked in, we were treated warmly and felt comfortable and excited. The tasting was an added bonus that we didn't expect. The winery is stunning! The walk to the picnic area was fantastic as we got to see the sculptures and rose garden. The food delivered for the picnic was exceptional, as was the customer service.

When we arrived to the picnic area, it was set out beautifully and so private. We had blankets to snuggle in and when we opened the little fridge, there were gigantic, perfectly prepared prawns ready to eat. There was also beautiful olive oil and bread to dip, a veggie plate with prosciutto and hummus. The main was chicken in a tomato sauce with a smoked barramundi salad, roast potatoes and fresh veggies. Dessert was a lemon curd with meringue and berries. Just stunning! Thank you so much guys!

We enjoyed a lovely picnic which was gifted to us about 3 years ago. We had a beautiful quiet and secluded space. There was so much food which was all excellent quality and the included bottle of wine was divine. The service at the cellar door and then at the picnic was wonderful. Could not fault this experience, would highly recommend it.

Picnics - not great!
Wine tastings is first up, good selections & great staff. However after leaving to go to the picnic site it went downhill from there. Upon arriving to our site it was crawling in black ants despite trying to remove them we ended up covered in bites. The site was unmaintained & a sculpture near our site had used nappies in it. We had No instructions on what to do or expect & no menu provided!

The 1st board was a lot of bread & 1 small dip / veggies. It was underwhelming.
The “main” was chicken that tasted like it was in pizza base sauce & came with average sides such as 4 prawns that really didn’t go with the meal. The food has elements you could taste were either from a can or jar. Had the same experience 2 years earlier, disappointed nothing has changed. Save your time & money don’t bother with a picnic.

First of all, this place is absolutely stunning - the views begin at the car park and just keep going. The sculptures scattered around the the planting around the walking path complemented the vineyards nicely.

We started with a wine tasting - helpful, friendly, and informative explanations from the staff. Great selection of wines too. We were impressed with the number of varieties.

Afterwards, we had the set lunch at the restaurant (vs the casual dining outside which is available for walk ins).

It was probably one of the best meals we’ve had in the Melbourne area! The dishes were all delightful but the vegetables grown on the property really stole the show. The views of the vineyards from the dining room were just icing on the cake.

I can’t recommend this spot enough!

Had a lovely table outside with great views of the vineyard. Service was good - waiters were friendly and attentive. Came to check if we were ready to order twice and were timely in clearing plates, and checking if you needed anything else, yet also gave you lots of time to chat (did not feel rushed to clear out). Food was delicious and the Montalto Pinot G was lovely. We could not fit dessert In unfortunately! We also enjoyed walking around the vineyard after lunch, checking out the sculptures - beautiful, scenic and serene - we could hear the birds around us.

Very disappointed I have never been greeted buy such a condescending person in my life. We were looking around, trying to decide on a wine tasting or lunch but left immediately after being snapped at by one of the staff. Straight out of the car park and off to a much friendlier place. So rude.

Disgusting interaction The operations manager (Luke) was disgustingly rude. He fat shamed me for asking for a different chair. Having an employee like this is a great way to destroy a great venue. You should be ashamed

Montalto Winery located in Red Hill, Mornington Peninsula. About an hour and a half drive from Melbourne. The wine tasting room is located upstairs where you can see the panorama view of their vineyard.

We selected the Latest Release wine tasting which they are quite interesting in flavors and textures.

They also have restaurant & pizza as well as picnics package. They also provide other experiences to fulfill your wine experience at Montalto.

Incredible meal in a lovely setting (with outlook to the vineyard and sculptures). Service from Megan in the Restaurant was standout and the food quality and attention to detail excellent. Highly recommend the supplement of tiger prawns (perfectly cooked with a chilli butter that was well balanced).
Having dined at Society and Gimlet in the days prior, I can confidently say the Montalto offering is up there with the best of them. It represents excellent value for money at $115 pp for the multi-course meal and is just a really nice way to spend an afternoon.

really ordinary - what has happened??? what has happened? we have been regulars at the montalto piazza for years. our last 2 vo oat have been aweful. qr code ordering at some tables , really??!! they used to have wonderful salads. no more, sparse and really ordinary. service also very very average. pizzas still good, but not great. so disappointed!!

Bad Service, Stay Clear Angela made the experience more memorable in the worst possible way even surpassing the rubbish venue. What’s all the hype about?

We really enjoyed our lunch there. The food is well seasoned. The wine are amazing especially their Seppeltsfield moscato!! It's a must if you're fan of sweet moscato. The atmosphere is really chilling as well. We definitely go back soon.

Disappointing Called to make a booking last week, and the lady on the phone was rude and makes you feel stupid for not knowing their systems. Called on the 9th sep

Lovely location, great views & a relaxed atmosphere. Sculpture Park & Wetland Walk after our meal was very enjoyable.
We went for the "Feed Me" option at $70 per person. The food was tasty & enjoyable but a little over priced for what it was.
The accompanying bottle of red wine that we bought was excellent & good value.
An overall enjoyable experience, staff were attentive & helpful.

Great place for a special lunch (we went for Fathers Day today). Five course lunch in restaurant was beautiful. Pricy but worth it.
Lovely views down the hill and vin yards. Cool little sculpture trail as well down the side past the lake and river and up the other side. Nice touch.

Nice spot with nice food. My only issue is with this trend to use "online ordering". The app was so slow and crashed so often it took over 30min to order. This totally takes away from the experience. Please go back to old fashion service where we can just order and enjoy.

This one definitely takes the cake for most scenic vineyard on the peninsula for me. Situated with a view across the valley, it’s dreamy rolling hills to the horizon. Service in the cellar door was perfunctory but much warmer in the restaurant. Food was delicious and worth a stop.

I rarely leave reviews but just HAD to share my wonderful experience. My partner and I visited for an anniversary and were blown away by the service, food and wine. The staff all had hearts of gold, and the food. oh my gosh the food! Our favourite was the smoked lamb from the winter set menu. will recommend to everyone I ever come across until the end of time!

One of my favourite wineries in Melbourne
The restaurant is great and staffs are kind.
They also have a huge farm area to walk around after lunch or wine tasting.
Location is also good, so there are many places and good beaches to visit together.

Lunch mid week Great wine ambience and main course. Dessert was very disappointing. Apple crumble served from straight the fridge, cold and dry. Cream from an aerosol can!!! Not what was expected.

Best on the peninsula! This is easily my favorite winery in the area. The food and service is always amazing. Lots of different flavors and tastes. Their wine is also beautiful. Highly recommended if you’re a Chardonnay lover.

Something Special Wow!Amazing Mothers Day lunch at Montalto.Five course tasting menu.Loved the fresh produce especially the Skull Island Prawns and the Wood Roasted Chicken.Fantastic outlook over the vines and sculptures.Very special.

Lovely ambience with beautiful views over the vineyard. We enjoyed a set menu which was spectacular. The five of us agreed it was one of the most wonderful meals any of us had ever enjoyed. The staff were attentive but not in your face. Wine was excellent - goes without saying. It is firmly planted in my mind as a special day not to be forgotten.

$70 set menu at Piazza. Quite heavy on the bread (sourdough was fantastic) so we were very full by the time we had the mains. Still tasty with the trout and barramundi being the highlights of the meal.

As a part of my Sperm Donation Australia tour of Victoria, I ventured out for a day in the Mornington Peninsula, and with the 6th stop visited this incredible venue, Elizabeth was a great host that made me feel welcomed and the wines were delicious. I enjoyed a nice red overlooking the lovely views.

Lunch at the Piazza Decided to do a review to agree with everything the person from Williamstown mentioned in the February review. Can't help but think we are being conditioned to increased prices, but in many instances it is hard to justify, and this is one. Enjoyed to Sculpture walk and the general vibe of the place.

A beautiful day to celebrate my 25th birthday at Montalto with family & friends.

A perfect way to share laughs, food & wine with the people I love.
Also had the opportunity to do a wine tasting as it was very busy but one of the staff was happy to try fit a few of us in to participate in one.

Stunning views was definitely a plus!

Enjoyed it but question the value. I’m one of those people that often when I go out to eat come home thinking that’s why we eat at home a lot. This was one (another) such experience. The location is great, the wander around the property great and facilities were - yes you guessed it - great. My issue and it’s with many establishments these days is with the pricing. We enjoyed the pizzeria and could order pretty much whatever we wanted as we had a $150 voucher. Now I won’t bore you to tears going through all the smaller dishes through to an ice-cream for dessert and we definitely enjoyed the food however - $35 for a pretty (no very) sparse pizza I think is pretty rich. The smaller dishes very tasty although again 1.5 pieces of (nice) bread and some dip for $18 - stretches things. A couple of not inexpensive drinks each and there goes $165 for two. The place was packed so obviously the experience is worthy of this for many, but for us it’ll be a once off. Service was ok but was disappointed in food scraps from earlier diners left at our feet, plates gruffly put down on the table and plates not collected very efficiently left service wanting. I feel a little bad writing such a review, as we did enjoy our time, but hope it’s taken as constructive criticism.

Don't bother, disappointing If you're driving an hour from Melbourne for a special lunch or dinner expecting good service from an upscale winery, go somewhere else. The one star is for the view and presentation of the venue. The staff provide service equivalent of an inner city Cafe - impersonal, arrogant and disinterested in accommodating our needs. The attitude is that you fit in with us so we can churn you through the system, and any kind of request like sitting near a window or finding a shady table outside is just too hard. Trying to give feedback fell on deaf ears. Food was fine but not good enough to warrant returning.