Best Winery Dishes in Victoria
Best winery dishes of Victoria is a tall order to select. We had to visit numerous wineries in our quest. Someone has to do it. Our belief is that food at a winery shouldn't just be basic options that appeal to the broadest amount of people; there should be some savvy. Share plates are a great way to go as winery dining is mostly geared around relaxing and informal dining where friends can connect.
Oakridge - Yarra Valley - Seasonal Dishes
This is an exciting and changing menu. It wouldn't matter what you ordered here; the emphasis on local fresh seasonal produce with technique applied, always hits the mark. Whether its Duck breast, risotto, Lamb, or Berkshire pig, Oakridge is on song.
Matt Stone is a highly talented chef with a compelling foodie philosophy. Current offering of Trout and locally harvested greens is a highlight. Let the high quality produce speak for itself, with Oakridge also able to draw on a surprisingly large garden for its greens. Sauce impeccable.
One of the most rewarding wineries to dine at with it's sweeping views and modern impressive facility.
Merricks Creek - Mornington Peninsula
In terms of casual dining at a winery it's hard to go past Merricks creek Winery. A now famous dish is the Merricks Creek Winery Deconstructed Tiramisu. Everyone loves a Tiramisu right? This is such a clever idea and lends the dessert to being a shared dish like all the other share plates at Merricks Creek.
The Tiramisu is a fun and playful dish. The coffee is top notch coffee from local roaster Kelter Coffee. The Kahlua is real and a generous amount. Just the Kahlua alone more than warrants the price! The cream adds to the balance of a great rendition of the Tiramisu.
Just dip the biscuit in the coffee and Kahlua then dip into the cream. So rewarding!
We also can't go past the Rib Eye at Merricks Creek, as it's a fine cut of Rib Eye you'd expect at a top restaurant in the city. Except at a lower price. The caper vinaigrette on top is exceptional, erved with ciabatta rolls.
One of the most beautiful settings in Victoria, the modern cellar door with raised eck virtually in the vineyards, is distinctive.
Levantine Hill - Yarra Valley
Levantine Hill boasts sumptuous dishes using premium produce such as Western Plains pork belly, Sher Wagyu beef and King Ora Salmon. This is a family run business with passion and soul, and celebrates the finer things in life.
You know the dining experience is going to be outstanding with Teague Ezard at the helm. Attention to detail, excellence and technique, combined with the premium produce make this a memorable dining experience. With the availability of a degustation you can get "right into it" for an indulgent afternoon. As well as experiencing handcrafted wines by Levantine Hill master winemaker, Paul Bridgeman.
This is about finery and excellence without the "stuffiness" and formality. The location is as exciting as the views; a venue designed by Fender Katsalidis Architects, creators of Eureka Tower and MONA in Hobart. 
Rochford Wines - Yarra Valley
Rochford Wines impress with high quality produce and the ability to share dishes. We feel this kind of flexibility is needed at a winery for those wanting to relax in a convivial setting. Rochford brings to the table not only the large options such as Wagyu sirloin or Pork tenderloin but also enormous dishes such as the Roasted shoulder of beef for 2 and the Whole Roasted Chicken for 2.
An attractive alfresco dining space with large windows takes in sweeping views for a delightful dining experience.
Soumah - Yarra Valley
Soumah is a hidden gem that sometimes goes under the radar in the Yarra Valley scene. But those discerning diners in the know gravitate to Soumah. Soumah Wines is a magical experience in a desirable part of the Yarra Valley; the Warramate foothills. Sweeping views from the Cellar Door are inspiring. The World Loves Melbourne appreciates the Italian influence at Soumah. Walk past the olive trees and the conifers to get to the Cellar Door.
Soumah has one of the best charcuterie platters around. Pasta dishes also excite at Soumah, with a linguine or a tagliatelle to be imbibed. Gourmet pizza options are also popular with imaginative Italian style toppings.
Their Lamb shoulder dishes are epic. True Italian cooking. Rustic overdrive.
We note varietals here that we don't always see in Yarra Valley; such as the award winning Savarro. Soumah features styles of Northern Italy such as Pinot Grigio, Rosata (deep colour), Brachetto and Nebbiolo. Other standouts include French styles of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Shiraz, and Viognier. Soumah has a single vineyard focus, and looks for quality over quantity.
