The festive season is here, and we’ve got everything you need to make it a good one. In the December newsletter, we’re excited to share our extended trading hours over summer and special gifting bundles. Be sure to check out our Print at Home vouchers for last-minute gift ideas and plan your summer reservations with us ahead of time. And, we have our new sculpture exhibition ‘Maquette’ installed on the lawn — another great reason to visit.
Wishing you all the best as we wrap up the year, and we look forward to celebrating the holidays with you!
Cheers,
We’ve made Christmas gifting – whether its for family, friends or colleagues – easy this year with our curated collection of Christmas bundles!
Our cut off date for pre-Christmas delivery is 5pm on Wednesday 18th December 2024.
Always a winner – particularly for those that prove tough to buy for!
Missed the postage cut off? Forgot someone? Surprise guest? No problem! Our vouchers can also be emailed and printed at home 24/7.
Our Twilight sessions are back for summer! Every Saturday from Saturday 28th December 2024 until Saturday 22nd February 2025, here’s how you can enjoy the afternoon as it cools into evening at Montalto…
THE RESTAURANT
Enjoy our summer set menu as you look out across the vines through to Western Port on the horizon. 5.30pm dinner reservations are available. Reservations essential.
THE PIAZZA
Stretch out on the lawn, relax overlooking Wendy’s Garden from one of our outdoor tables or sit up overlooking the estate from our open-air, undercover top level. The Piazza kitchen is open from 11am – 7.30pm, last drinks at 8.00pm. Walk ins only.
PICNICS
Our Twilight Picnics are a breathtaking way to enjoy the estate throughout the late afternoon. Twilight picnics begin at 4.30pm-sharp. Reservations essential.
LEARN MORE ABOUT TWILIGHT AT MONTALTO
There’s really nothing quite like summer on the Mornington Peninsula. With crystal blue skies and long sunshiney days, there’s a reason why it’s the most popular time to visit this extraordinarily beautiful location. If you’re planning to pop in whilst you’re in the area, we enthusiastically encourage you to make your reservations in The Restaurant, The Cellar Door and for stunning summer Picnics asap! The Piazza remains a walk ins only space throughout summer.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SUMMER AT MONTALTO
Bookings are open for end of year and festive events!
We have some breathtaking festive dining packages for end of year celebrations of all shapes and sizes open. From private dining in The Restaurant, casual catch ups in The Piazza or Garden Room (overlooking the stunning kitchen gardens) to spectacular private locations across the estate, we’re here to help make the end of the year truly something special for you and your guests.
“December is definitely when Julie spoils us with amazing produce from the estate gardens. It’s hard to think about summer at Montalto and not feature incredible heirloom tomatoes, zucchini and basil on the menus so expect to see….
Panzanella with grilled capsicum, basil and house fermented tomato dressing.
Zucchini flowers stuffed with curd from our friends at Main Ridge Dairy.
Grilled estate-grown beans, agrodolce, peach and salted egg yolk.
And let’s not forget our impressive variety of seasonal lettuce leaves that accompany all of our main courses throughout summer.
For dessert, we can barely contain our our excitement for the rows of super-sweet strawberries Julie has planted for us this summer! (May have sneaked a few early ripe ones already…) Look out for them featured in an outstanding vanilla parfait – so yum!
We look forward to seeing and cooking for you over the summer, and into 2025!"
Craig Penglase, Executive Chef
From 1st December 2024, The Restaurant is open from Friday - Monday for lunch.
After Christmas, The Restaurant is open every day for lunch from Saturday 28th December 2024 - Monday 13th January 2025, excluding Wednesday 1st January 2025 and Wednesday 8th January 2025.
Reservations are essential, especially during the busy summer months. (Please note: The Restaurant is closed for a private function on Friday 27th December 2024.)
The perfect way to spend a glorious summer’s day, surrounded by the most beautiful views across Red Hill. Enjoy our seasonal set menu which showcases the very best summer produce from our estate-gardens, along with a bottle of Montalto wine of your choice.
Picnics are available at 6 stunning private picnic sites from Thursday – Monday from 11am sharp.
From Friday 27th December 2024 to Monday 13th January 2025, private picnics are available 7 days from 11am-sharp.
For larger groups, our Trout Dam site is available to book from Sunday 1st December 2024 to Saturday 22nd February 2025. For more information, CLICK HERE.
We’re thrilled to announce a very special exhibition: Maquette, featuring works from icons Geoffrey Bartlett and Phillip Doggett-Williams.
Maquette is a free exhibition, open to all visitors to Montalto, from Sunday 24th November 2024 – Monday 27th January 2025.
“Summer is here and we are now in peak raspberry season! The warmer weather and irrigation sees us now harvesting punnets of our organically grown, plump raspberries and also strawberries from our newly enclosed patch affectionately called ‘Raspberryland’.
Zucchini, cucumbers, radishes, baby carrots and salad mix are now harvested daily and I'm keeping my fingers crossed we may get a small harvest from our tomatoes before Christmas.
Happy Summer!”
Julie Bennett, Produce Manager