Which is the best restaurant in your city?
Opinion Piece, Best Winery Restaurant.
Choosing the best winery restaurant in Melbourne and its surrounding wine regions is almost an impossible task.
Melbourne is blessed with some truly world-renowned wine regions, exceptional produce and some of the finest chefs in Australia. Add spectacular vineyard settings, cool-climate wines and the opportunity to arrive by helicopter, and you have the ingredients for an experience that goes far beyond simply having lunch.
After experiencing a number of these venues ourselves through Leisure Heli Tours, we’ve decided to put our necks on the line and nominate our Top 5 winery restaurant experiences.
This is, of course, completely subjective. Everyone has their favourite wine, favourite dish and favourite view. But these are five destinations that we believe deliver something genuinely special.
🥇 1. Dominique Portet — Yarra Valley
For us, Dominique Portet takes the number-one spot.
There is something wonderfully French about arriving at this beautiful Yarra Valley estate. The atmosphere, the wines, the setting and, most importantly, the food come together beautifully.
The Bistro embraces a French-inspired approach, with seasonal dishes designed specifically to work alongside the estate’s wines. Think classic combinations such as steak frites with Cabernet, duck with Pinot Noir and roast chicken with Chardonnay. (Dominique Portet Winery)
But what we particularly love is the sense of sharing and occasion. Rather than simply sitting down for a meal, it feels like you’re enjoying a long French lunch with friends — good food arriving at the table, exceptional wine being poured and plenty of time to relax.
And that’s exactly what a winery experience should be.
Our verdict: Sophisticated, relaxed, beautifully French and incredibly memorable.
🥈 2. Trofeo Estate — Mornington Peninsula
Our second choice takes us across to the Mornington Peninsula and Trofeo Lo Estate.
Trofeo is quite different from Dominique Portet, but that’s part of its appeal. Housed within a beautifully transformed 1930s passionfruit cannery, the restaurant combines rustic heritage with contemporary dining. (Trofeo Estate)
The food focuses heavily on seasonal and local produce, with dishes designed to complement Trofeo’s distinctive terracotta-aged wines. (Trofeo Estate)
It’s the sort of place where you can settle in, take your time and genuinely enjoy the surrounds.
For us, Trofeo delivers that wonderful combination of food, wine, architecture and atmosphere that makes a winery lunch feel like a destination rather than simply a meal.
Our verdict: Rustic sophistication with exceptional Mornington Peninsula character.
🥉 3. De Bortoli — Yarra Valley
Back to the Yarra Valley for number three.
De Bortoli is one of those destinations that consistently delivers the complete winery experience.
The combination of estate wines, beautiful surroundings and an accomplished restaurant makes this a particularly strong choice for anyone wanting to turn lunch into a genuine day out.
There’s something special about sitting amongst the vines, enjoying a beautifully prepared meal and matching it with wines produced right there in the Yarra Valley.
It is polished without feeling pretentious — exactly the balance we look for in a premium winery experience.
Our verdict: A refined Yarra Valley classic that consistently delivers.
4. Zonzo Estate — Yarra Valley
If you’re looking for something a little more relaxed, vibrant and social, Zonzo Estate is hard to beat.
Zonzo has built its reputation around Italian food, wine and the art of sharing. The estate describes itself as the original home of shared Italian food in the Yarra Valley, and that philosophy is still central to the experience. (Zonzo)
Wood-fired pizza, antipasti, pasta, beautifully prepared shared dishes and a glass of wine in front of those incredible Yarra Valley views — what’s not to love?
The setting is equally impressive, with the original milking shed transformed into a restaurant featuring huge windows overlooking the valley. (Zonzo)
Zonzo is a place where the atmosphere matters just as much as the food.
Our verdict: Fun, relaxed, Italian-inspired and perfect for sharing with friends.
5. Jack Rabbit — Bellarine Peninsula
Rounding out our top five is Jack Rabbit Vineyard on the Bellarine Peninsula.
And this one makes the list largely because of the view.
Jack Rabbit delivers an incredible coastal winery experience, with sweeping views across Port Phillip Bay towards Geelong, the You Yangs and, on a clear day, Melbourne. (Jackrabbit Vineyard)
Combine that setting with cool-climate wines and a great meal and you have something quite different from the traditional vineyard lunch.
It’s the perfect reminder that Victoria’s wine regions aren’t all about rolling vineyards. Sometimes the best winery experience comes with a spectacular coastal backdrop.
Our verdict: Outstanding views, great wine and a Bellarine experience that’s hard to replicate.
So… Which One Is Actually the Best?
That’s the problem.
Ask us tomorrow and we might change the order!
The beauty of Melbourne’s wine regions is that there isn’t one definitive winner. Dominique Portet may be our number one, but Trofeo, De Bortoli, Zonzo and Jack Rabbit all offer something completely different.
And that’s exactly why we love what we do.
Because imagine taking this already incredible experience and adding a helicopter.
No traffic.
No long drive.
No winding roads.
Instead, you arrive at Essendon Fields, step aboard a luxury helicopter and watch Melbourne disappear beneath you as you head towards one of Victoria’s spectacular wine regions.
Then comes the best part.
You land, step into the winery, settle in for an incredible lunch, taste exceptional wines and simply enjoy the day.
And when you’re finished?
The helicopter is waiting to take you home.
Food. Wine. Helicopters. What’s Not to Love?
At Leisure Heli Tours, we believe the best experiences aren’t just about where you go — they’re about how you get there and how you feel when you arrive.
Take one of Victoria’s finest winery restaurants.
Add exceptional wine.
Add spectacular food.
Add a helicopter flight over Melbourne and the Victorian countryside.
And suddenly, you’ve created something much bigger than lunch.
You’ve created a memory.
It’s the kind of experience you’ll talk about on the way home, tell your friends about over dinner and remember years from now.
So, if you’re looking for the ultimate winery day out from Melbourne, our advice is simple:
Don’t just drive there. Fly there.
Your table is waiting.
And so is the helicopter.
Experiences and menus can change seasonally, so we confirm availability and dining details with each venue before travelling.
