NOW EXPERIENCING:Paringa Estate
Drinks Directory|Fancy occasion|Family affair|Restaurant

Paringa Estate

44 Paringa Road, Red Hill South, VIC, 3937
Phone
(03) 5989 2669
Website
paringaestate.com.au
Instagram
@paringaestate

Read time 3 Mins

Posted 23 Mar 2023

By
Larissa Dubecki

A producer of world-class cool-climate wines, Paringa Estate is a one-stop empire encompassing a fine-dining restaurant, a casual terrace bistro and the all-important cellar door.

garden view at Paringa Estate
Why you goEven among the fancy and highfalutin vineyards of the Mornington Peninsula, Paringa Estate manages to stand out. Producing world-class wine in the Red Hill heart of the region, it has been turning wine-lovers’ heads since one-time teacher Lindsay McCall started producing cool-climate pinot noir, shiraz, chardonnay and pinot gris in the late 1980s. A family affair with son Jamie now in charge of the winemaking team while Lindsay takes care of the vineyards, it’s grown into a one-stop empire encompassing a fine-dining restaurant and a more casual terrace bistro as well as the all-important cellar door.
Why you stayThe vineyard of popular imagination, Paringa Estate is a vision of meticulously planted vines sloping gently away from the restaurant’s enormous windows towards the rolling hinterland. If you haven’t got the picture yet, it’s gorgeous, and you’ll find the rest of the multi-tiered estate offerings are just as keenly thought-out. The chef’s-hatted restaurant with its four-course set menu is a worthy splash-out, but if you’re keeping it casual, the garden tables are a no-bookings, a la carte affair, where cheese and cured-meats boards rub shoulders with coral trout crudo and creamy Italian burrata cheese feeling the zing with herb vinaigrette. Whichever road you choose, take your time – there’s no need to hurry here thanks to a professional but laid-back bunch of staff keen to make their guests feel pampered.
Siiting arrangement at Paringa Estate
Barrels at Painga estate
What drink to orderHere’s your chance to understand all those wine-show trophies groaning on the Paringa Estate mantlepiece and why it was awarded Winery of the Year by the esteemed Halliday Wine Companion. A guided tasting in the cellar door gives an insight into the pioneering approach to planting shiraz in this region (yes, it was Paringa that showed it could be done), while the pinot noir is also not to be missed. If you’re in for a meal, the list broadens out to encompass other regional leaders and a treasure trove of global benchmarking, whether that’s Pol Roger Champagne, Burgundy grand crus and luscious Piedmontese nebbiolo. And if you’re in the restaurant, opting for the regional wine matching is a great idea.
What to pair it withThe mod-Oz menu is crafted to be as wine-friendly as it gets while sticking to a seasonal and local ethos. You can expect a four-course menu (and more with the optional snacks and supplementary course) of approachable restaurant classicism – think a rock-lobster bun, scallops with their own smoked roe, rhubarb-glazed dry-aged duck breast with barbecued duck leg, and roasted wagyu with smoked eel and local horseradish.
Image of Food and Wine bottle at Paringa Estate
Why we love itA meal in the restaurant can be considered dinner and a show thanks to the huge windows looking into the workings of the winery. It’s especially impressive during vintage from January to April.
Guests on a winery tour at Paringa
Regular’s tipParinga has become known for its calendar of annual events, including a jazz concert at the Winter Wine Weekend each June. Members of the estate’s wine club can access tickets to the annual Harvest Lunch, which sees Lindsay give guided tours of the winery and vineyard while explaining his philosophy – you can even help pick or crush the grapes before joining the winery team for lunch. And if you’re after a delicious bargain, the annual back vintage sale is held on the first Sunday in December.
Don't leave withoutIt would be a shame to come to this gorgeous part of Victoria and have to head straight back to Melbourne, so plan ahead and book accommodation nearby. Not only will you avoid any fights over who has to be designated driver, it will give you the opportunity to visit other cellar doors in the ’hood, including Port Phillip Estate, Montalto and Ten Minutes by Tractor.
Sponsor logo
In partnership with Melbourne Food & Wine Festival
Authour image
Larissa DubeckiLarissa Dubecki has been a journalist for more than 20 years and specialises in reviewing restaurants and bars.
Tags
Drinks DirectoryRegional VICNon-alc OptionsGood for groupsFamily affairFancy occasionTop notch wine listRestaurantVego Food OptionsOutdoor areaWineryA+ spirits listWheelchair accessible
REPORT A VENUE CLOSURE/REPORT AN ERROR
Related Articles