Merricks North: Discover Wine and Sculpture

Get to know Merricks North through two very different discoveries: wine and art in the landscape. At LL Vineyard, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir take centre stage; at Elgee Park, visitors encounter sculptures among the vines, gardens and buildings. There is also a cider producer whose products complement the local food and wine scene. When planning your day, it is worth distinguishing the offerings by duration, booking requirements and access.

Wine Tastings and Time in the Vineyard

Since 2018, only Chardonnay and Pinot Noir have been grown at the 11-hectare LL Vineyard. This clearly defined varietal profile gives the wine offering a specific connection to the place. At Jackalope’s Cellar Door in Merricks North, there are three wine tastings featuring Single Vineyard and Rare Hare wines. One combines the tasting with a one-hour walk through the vines and the chance to blend your own wine.

Another experience at Jackalope’s LL Vineyard and winery takes you behind the scenes and includes wine tastings followed by lunch at Rare Hare. It takes place daily at 11 am and must be booked. Check the date and availability before planning. This bookable experience is distinct from tastings at the Rare Hare Wines Cellar Door, which are offered without advance booking.

One specific short option there is the Essential Wine Tasting: it lasts 15 to 20 minutes and includes selected current-release wines. Groups of fewer than eight people do not need to book. For tastings without an advance booking, the Cellar Door currently lists its hours as 11 am to 5 pm, seven days a week; check the hours before your visit. This lets you consider a short tasting, a one-hour walk through the vines and a fixed-time booked experience as different schedules, rather than planning every offering the same way.

Sculptures at Elgee Park

More than 60 sculptures by renowned and emerging artists are located on the grounds of Elgee Park. They are set among the vines, gardens and buildings and form part of the estate’s landscape. Elgee Park is not open to the public. Community tours and experiences for art and education groups may be arranged on request; requests are considered individually. If you would like to include art in your stay, plan this visit differently from a tasting that requires no advance booking, and make an enquiry beforehand.

Cider as Part of the Local Offering

Seven Oaks Farmhouse Cider is a family business in Merricks North. It grows English and French apple varieties for cider and makes both single-varietal and blended ciders. Seven Oaks is not open to the public, so this is information about a local product, not an additional visit or tasting stop. This clearly distinguishes the cider producer from the Cellar Door offerings described above.

Choose Accommodation to Suit Your Day’s Plans

When looking for a holiday rental in Merricks North, your preferred pace for the day can be a useful starting point. Would you like to plan a tasting without an advance booking, take a longer walk through the vines or arrange a visit at a set time that requires a booking? These offerings differ in duration and planning, even though wine is part of each. Visits to the art at Elgee Park require an enquiry in advance and individual consideration.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Gorae West, Mount Duneed, Faraday, Paynesville, Tynong, Brooklyn, Heyfield, Beverford.

Back to the main travel overview: Victoria.