Terindah Estate, Bellarine Peninsula, Vic
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The weather was iffy, footy semis were on and our team was playing, surprising everyone by having made it this far. But nothing was stopping us driving away this weekend from Melbourne to Torquay. We got into the little red BMWZ3, a soft top, last year’s “life is too short, it’s Covid” purchase. The weather gods were on our side: we drove with the roof down, surrounded by loud truck engines, tyres whooshing on the tarmac, winds whistling in every direction. The road was in our nostrils, ears and every cell of the body.

After an hour or so, close to lunchtime we turned onto the gravel road into the Terindah Estate driveway, parked the car and walked towards some fashionably rustic structures constructed of wood and iron. On the left was a wooden terrace, where well-dressed men and women were chatting, sipping wine, greeting each other, celebrating some happy occasion together.

Attempting to look as if we were not there for the first time, we were trying to work out where the entrance was. Fortunately, we walked straight through the cellar door, which had a large bar on the right serviced by two young men overlooking a small seating area and the wooden terrace with that merry group of people we saw as we approached the building. But at this point we were arrested by the wide, astonishing view of the blue bay shimmering in the distance. As I walked further into the space I noticed that it continues into a large function room, wrapped by a broad, covered deck furnished with occasional high barrel tables and chairs. It also has one of my favourite bar elements, a long, thick wooden industrial bar table. This was built on the top of the balcony rail, inviting us to lean on it or pull up a chair and sit, resting a glass or cup or plate or all three on it and soak in the view.

This view alone was worth the drive.

I am going to return to Terindah Estate just to sit there again with a glass of wine and stare over the green paddocks, the gum trees, and the vineyard to the coastline of the bay, the blue ocean, and the horizon.
And if I get tired of that, I will look down, come back to earth and smile at the iron sculpture in front of the balcony, a small pony rolling joyfully on the grass. Or I will watch people mingling in a second building attached via a wide mezzanine deck to our building.        

That day, I saw the first of the 15 glamping tents coming up like mushrooms, getting ready to hold and cocoon visitors for another spring and summer season.   
We ordered a plate of Jalapeno cheese croquettes and Portarlington mussels flavoured with chorizo, tomato and saffron, plus a glass of Terindah Estate 2019 Zinfandel. The wine was just right for the cold spring day. Its deep red, almost black colour and rich, velvety taste was peculiarly warming. The combination of tastes, the atmosphere and the surroundings turned this short lunch into a Proustian moment. 

Our next destination, Jack Rabbit Vineyard, was not that far. We got into our little red car and drove from Terindah Estate’s car park over the unsealed country road into Jack Rabbit Vineyard’s car park, our view shifting slightly higher and closer to the ocean. Jack Rabbit’s two buildings frame the view and leave you wondering which way to turn: left towards the House of Jack Rabbit café or right into Jack Rabbit’s fine dining restaurant.
Or you could do what we did, which was head straight to the large lawn area, join others there, enjoy the view and get the photo of the day they were all apparently after. Then we headed back onto Portarlington Rd, planning to come back and spend some time at Jack Rabbit’s Vineyard just to compare its atmosphere with next door’s Terindah Estate.

At the last minute, we turned off the road towards the just opened Curlewis Golf Club, with its brand new accommodation rooms, Club House, Ivor’s Spike Bar and Claribeaux, the restaurant and function venue. We had a quick look round, guided by the most professional and hospitable receptionist, who swiftly got the keys and led us through the casual lounge area and around the new property. Another one to add to our list of venues to visit next time we are in the area to see what they offer to small and large events and conference groups.
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