WHAT’S ON

It’s been four years since the Blooms visited us & what an eventful four years it has been for their family!

For more than three years, we have witnessed the demonstration of powerful community opposition to AGL’s proposal – exposing the massive amounts of climate pollution the project would pump out & the damage it would cause the unique plants, animals & habitats of Westernport’s internationally recognised wetlands.

Not your ordinary lunch, as we hear about the life changing work in the alcohol addiction space, from two very positive people with real life experiences.

A relaxed lunch under the pergola to officially launch our beautiful country garden with the designer, PAUL BANGAY.

Rachel is well known to many for her acting roles in Against All Odds, The Thorn Birds, Rain Shadow & her directing roles of Beautiful Kate & Palm Beach. However, on this occasion Rachel will be talking about her current, very personal project, STANDING ON THE SOiLUTION.

Dinner with Simon Griffiths, co-founder and CEO of ‘Who Gives A Crap’

Join us on the deck for an informal late afternoon of wine & food pairing as we tell the story behind our wine, beautifully matched to morsels from our kitchen.

Learn the art of potato printing your very own Christmas wrapping paper & gift cards with local art teacher, Rachel Bryant.

Our current instalment of The Traders will undergo an exciting transformation from 26th July, and our new collection will launch on Friday 31st July with a fresh look and feel incorporating a curated selection of artworks by Camilla d’Antoine from The Winsome Collection.

We are holding a colouring in competition for children 12 years old & under. Collect a copy from the store or download & print PDF from our ‘what’s on’ section of our website. There will be 2 prizes given- one for entrants under 6 years old & one for entrants between 7-12 years old.

Join us for a rare opportunity & a Peninsula first that will showcase the many guises of Viognier, a grape variety that has often been lost in the shadows of more popular Burgundian varieties but is now starting to see some of the spotlight as wine drinkers become more knowledgeable, curious & adventurous.

Pam Ahern, who is best known for her incredible acts of kindness towards animals, invites you to a lunch to be held at Merricks General Wine Store. Pam will talk about what Edgar’s Mission has achieved in the last year including the launch of their Tiny House Experience where you can stay and have the rescue animals as your companions.

For Owner & Head Chef Carmine Carannante, the sight of watching his mother sauté onion & garlic, the thrill of helping his grandmother roll gnocchi on a Sunday & the wonder of learning the traditional and fine art of Italian cooking from them, are memories that still make him smile.

Bernie Shakeshaft is the founder and CEO of BackTrack Youth Works in Armidale, New South Wales. Living and working for many years in the Northern Territory, Bernie had a range of jobs before deciding to make his vision of working with disadvantaged young people a reality.

Tony is a leading figure in the Australian arts sector & Director of the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV). He began his career as an Aboriginal Art Coordinator, working at Waringarri Aboriginal Arts, Kununurra; then worked as a Curator at the NGV, specialising in major international curatorial projects.

The extraordinary life of one of Australia's great raconteurs and bush musicians, told in his own words. They don't make them like Ted anymore. He's the quintessential bush storyteller; he has rubbed shoulders with some of the best-known and least-known of his countrymen and women, and he can wring a heart-wrenching song out of a beer carton.

After sell-out shows at last year's Melbourne Comedy Festival, Australia's favourite French woman, Fanny Bouffante comes to Merricks General Wine Store for the Bastille Weekend.Fanny is in the midst of her campaign to run for French President! In her show 'Scandals' Fanny talks about serious issues like poverty, terrorism & haute couture. Listen to her espouse cutting edge policies like mandatory detention for anyone wearing active wear, free Romanian mannies (sterilised) & euthanasia ...for vegans.

Kick off the long weekend & Winter Wine Fest with a convivial dinner at shared tables with family, friends & neighbours.Using his own family recipe, Chef Patrice Repellin’s beef-cheek bourguignon matched to our winter wines from Elgee Park & Baillieu, encapsulates the perfect winter evening.

Rogers is a distinguished & internationally recognised contemporary artist; one of Australia’s most successful.Rogers’ body of work is substantial & includes 51 major stone structures (geoglyphs) which comprise the ‘Rhythms of Life’ project. This enterprise is the largest contemporary land art undertaking in the world; a connected set of drawings on the earth which encircle the globe & are visible from space, being the first land art project to be documented by satellite. This unique and unprecedented project has involved more than 7,500 people in 16 countries across all seven continents over 16 years.

Author talk by Amelia Donnelly, writer of 'The Golden Thread'.All welcome. Books available for sale & signing. Amelia Donnelly writes from the heart in this new picture book, which follows a young girl called Rosie learning to deal with the sudden loss of her big brother.Amelia is a primary school teacher committed to supporting the mental health of our youth and this book provides a framework for dealing with challenging emotions.

We are searching for the BEST HOME BAKED CHOCOLATE CAKE on the Mornington Peninsula….. Cakes will be judged on their flavour, texture & general appearance. Added decoration/s will not form part of the judging process.Judges- Bails Myer, Samantha Baillieu & Cuvée Chocolatier Deniz Karaca

Environment Victoria is the state’s peak environment group & is working with local campaigners including the Save Westernport alliance to stop AGL’s gas import terminal. Come along for exclusive briefing on the campaign from Environment Victoria CEO Jono La Nauze & senior campaign staff. You will hear the inside story on the campaign & how you can support it.

Winter is coming with a contemporary collection of exciting lifestyle pieces for the home & wardrobe at Merricks. Join us as we introduce new traders presenting their range of local & travelled wares designed to inspire & excite this season.

An opportunity to hear African tales, garner travel inspiration and a chance to ask any questions if an adventure such as this is on your wish list!

WELCOMING BAILS MYER'S GUEST OF INTEREST NICK CATER Please join us for lunch with Nick Cater as he discusses 'Politics in the Facebook Era'

A SUMMER EVENING WITH ROBYN LEA TO CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH OF HER NEW BOOK BOHEMIAN LIVING Please join us for wine & canapes on the veranda with Robyn Lea, author of Bohemian Living - Creative Homes Around The World

The Traders returns to Merricks General Wine Store from Friday 30 November with one of our biggest and most exciting collections yet. Featuring luxury summer apparel and accessories, exciting homewares, unique & Christmas gift ideas and inspired art, Merricks is delighted to announce the following Traders this season.

With the first course being a sell-out, and some eager 'wine-connoisseurs-in-the-making' missing out, we are re-running our 4 week wine course with Ed Merrison. We are thinking balmy, wine-centric evenings on the vine covered deck (all in the name of education, of course!) with inside the store as the back-up plan…..

An evening of food, wine, music, cinema & discussion. The Thin Green Line presents the premiere of RANGER TO RANGER

Join us for lunch with Warren Mundine in celebration of his new book 'In Black & White'

Oh là là….. It is Patrice’s favourite day of the year! Indulge in an evening of French food & fine wine with friends, old & new at long tables. A three course dinner prepared by head chef Patrice Repellin in an ode to his homeland.

Don’t know your Arneis from your elbow? Don’t fear - here’s your chance to find out all you wanted to know about wine but were too afraid to ask. We are putting on an informal, four-week wine course to explore the basics of wine – what to expect, how to taste & how to make the most of your discoveries.

You’re invited to the inaugural Merricks House Collective series - Paper & Pencil, an afternoon with Miodrag Jankovic, 40 years in the making, at the Merricks House Gallery. The first of a series of talks & artistic workshops, that combines art, conversation, fine food & wine into an afternoon designed to nurture your creative side.

Each evening this weekend Nino & Miriam, of Il Padrino Woodfired Pizza will be cooking their flavourful traditional pizzas here at Merricks in their custom made woodfired oven. No bookings required, simply come along with family & friends for an informal evening of wine & pizza by the fire. Gluten free pizzas available on request.

An evening with Maggie Beer & professor Ralph Martins to celebrate their new book 'Maggie's recipe for life' 'To have healthy old age you must act now, whether you are 30 or 50....

He’s a well-known local legend, founder of the wine industry on the Mornington Peninsula and part owner of Merricks General Wine Store. You're invited to join us for this very special lunch to celebrate the launch of In Full Stride to be introduced by Bails' son Rupert Myer.

Two of Italy’s most renowned musicians, violinist Domenico Nordio & guitarist Massimo Scattolin, will play a concert on the Peninsula during their Asia/Australia tour.

For the last 40 years Ted has been writing and recording songs about the Australian people who, to him, represent the real ethos of this country, perhaps the most multi cultural nation on earth. He has just completed his 30th album of songs!

Lunch with pam ahern, founder of edgar’s mission to celebrate the launch of her book ‘cooking with kindness’

We are sorry but this lunch is now sold out. Lunch with Dick Smith AC A spirited and informative afternoon with Dick Smith AC, as he discusses the principles behind his FAIR GO GROUP

Join us for a special lunch as we host David Wilkinson & Tamie Fraser to celebrate his stunning new book Grand Melbourne Gardens

French House Chic is Jane’s very personal story of a lifetime of cultivating an eye for style and bringing it to life in the home - a style that can be emulated with just some simple guidance.

Celebrating the launch of her new book GROW COOK NOURISH. Darina Allen is Ireland’s best known cook and a best-selling author

Nick Place will host this special lunch with Cameron & Sam Bloom. The international best seller and 2017 illustrated book of the year winner Penguin Bloom - is a story of how a little magpie came to be a symbol of strength and hope for Sam Bloom who became paralysed on a family holiday.

Join us for lunch with Pam Ahern, founder of Edgar’s Mission to celebrate the launch of her book ‘COOKING WITH KINDNESS’

Join us for french country fare, superbly matched wines and stimulating conversation as we celebrate the makers and leaders in Australian Agriculture.

Drinks & canapés on the deck with Paul Bangay to celebrate the launch of his new book “COUNTRY GARDENS”

Celebrating the launch of his new book The Best of Adam Sharp

A farewell for the Williams Brothers as they head off to Europe & UK to launch their latest album “Light Pass” -signed copies will be available on the night.

Merricks General Wine Store is partaking in the Truffle Marketplace showcasing our homemade kitchen produce along with a range of Elgee Park and Baillieu wines.

You are invited to attend a special 80th anniversary luncheon hosted by Lort Smith

After the driest Mornington Peninsula summer on Elgee Park record (since 1958) we are pulling out all stops to collectively break the drought! Celebrate Autumn and all its offerings with the chef & the winemaker.

Come and join us on the deck and the lawn for THE FIRST EVER Merricks Twilight Mini Market.

Heartbreaking, joyous, traumatic, intimate and revelatory, Reckoning is the book where Magda Szubanski, one of Australia’s most beloved performers, tells her story.

Gardens designed by Paul Bangay are renowned for their elegant proportions, careful use of materials and inspired choice of plants.

Her line of products is arguably the most highly esteemed and much loved range for Australian gourmets.

Sustainable landscape designer, Phillip Johnson, believes that connecting with the earth is one of the most invigorating and energizing things you can do.

Celebrate bastille day with the locals by the fire.

Join local Merricks man, Sean Willmore, on the frontline of conservation across the globe.