The shortcut to a local taste of the Peninsula

Merricks General Wine Store is a beautiful heritage building which has been renovated and now offers a collective taste of the region, showcasing the wines from three vignerons with deep ties to the Peninsula.

 

Owners of Merricks General Wine Store (MGWStore) and the vineyards represented are; Elgee Park, Baillieu Vineyard and Quealy Wines. All are well known for their commitment to this unique area.

 

Elgee Park is the first vineyard in the region established by Baillieu Myer and family in 1972. Baillieu Vineyard is owned and operated by Charlie and Samantha Baillieu and is located at Merricks North. Kathleen Quealy with her husband Kevin McCarthy carved out their winemaking and tourism reputations at T’Gallant. Kathleen has now established her own label under the Quealy name and is managing Merricks General Wine Store. Together they purchased the business in 2008. Whilst retaining all of the fabulous heritage and style of this marvelous building, they have added new and exciting taste experiences for customers.

 

Perfectly situated along the scenic Frankston-Flinders Road, nestled about half way between Balnarring and Shoreham, Kathleen was attracted to the building because of its heritage and old fashioned charm. She invited Janine Richmond to create the food, and twenty months down the track, the menu is deliciously modern country cuisine. The kitchen also creates and selects delicious fruitcakes, panforte’s, cheese and relishes and the building is regularly filled with flowers and objects from each of the beautiful vineyard estates, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

 

A full range of wines from the three vineyards is available at the cellar door. The Elgee Park range reflects their history and expertise in the region. With an iconic Viognier they also produce a highly awarded and ‘sell out’ Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. They are one of the few producers making an acclaimed traditional method Sparking wine. In addition to their fresh and crisp dry style Riesling; they have recently made a small amount of a delicious late harvest Riesling. 

 

Baillieu Vineyard, a superb sheltered vineyard site offers a range of varietals that encapsulate sweet country life. The Rosé is a gentle velvet textured wine made from the Pinot Meunier grape. The Chardonnay is bright and fresh and the Pinot Noir and Shiraz are both powerful ripe wines.

 

Kathleen Quealy’s wines are quirky and modern but still as excellent as ever, reinforcing her crown as being one of Australia’s most talented winemakers. She has recently released her first Pinot Grigio since leaving T’Gallant, along with an unusual dry style Muscat. She also grows and makes the only Friulano in Australia and a pair of late picked Muscat’s (rouge and blanc). In the red range, there is a blend of Sangiovese, Shiraz and Pinot Noir to complement her ‘super white’ inspired POBBLEBONK and two single vineyard Pinot Noir’s.