There's no shortage of breathtaking views in the Bellarine Peninsula, but if one vantage point were to take the cake, it'd be Jack Rabbit Vineyard. With a glass of wine in hand, soak up the breathtaking views from the cellar door across the bay to Geelong, the You Yangs and Melbourne.
Winemaker Nyall Condon has also been the brains behind drops at wineries like Leura Park Estate and Waurn Ponds Estate, and his approach is very much about minimal intervention, creative and thoughtful use of oak and retaining the natural characters of each varietal. Standouts here include the blanc de blanc, chardonnay and pinot noir – varieties that this region has come to be known for.
After a tasting, you have two dining options: the House of Jack Rabbit café or the Jack Rabbit restaurant. The former offers casual breakfast and lunch fare including seafood chowder, a big breaky and cobb salad, while the latter is your more formal option. Take your pick from dishes like pan-fried market fish with celeriac hash, smoke Portarlington mussels, roasted tomatoes and sauce piquant or confit duck leg plated over parsnip puree and served with brussel sprouts, bacon and red wine jus.
If you're without a designated driver, Jack Rabbit has partnered with several transportation groups offering rides from the ferry, between wineries and to your accommodation.