Jack Rabbit Winery: Why visit this Bellarine Peninsula winery?
The Jack Rabbit Winery on the Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria, makes good quality cool climate wines. But it’s the restaurant that’s the real star.
The Jack Rabbit Winery is one of several wineries on the Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria. A short bike ride from the Portarlington ferry terminal, or a short drive east from Geelong, the Jack Rabbit Winery is part of a vineyard cluster. It’s only a short walk from Kilgour Wines, the Terindah Estate and the Bellarine Estate.
This proximity makes Jack Rabbit ideal for including in a self-guided Bellarine Peninsula wine tour.
But there are good reasons why the Jack Rabbit Winery is as a destination in its own right.
Sustainable winemaking at Jack Rabbit Winery
First of these is a commitment to sustainable winemaking. Most vines are hand-pruned and hand-picked. Also, any pesticides used are made from natural ingredients such as chicken manure.
The winemakers conduct regular soil nutrient analysis so that only the specific nutrients needed are added as supplements. They also use vineyard clippings and grape skins as under-vine mulch, recycling the waste products back into the wine-making process.
The Jack Rabbit Winery is also a hugely popular wedding venue, partly due to the natural aisle between the pinot noir and cabernet vineyards.
Bellarine Peninsula terroir and climate
The terroir and climate of the Bellarine Peninsula affects wines produced by Jack Rabbit. In wine terms, this is a cool climate region, and the grapes ripen slowly. Due to relatively low rainfall, the fruit tends to be low-yielding, but high quality.
The main reason to visit the Jack Rabbit Winery, however, is the food. The House of Jack Rabbit café is a great spot for a relaxed lunch. Mains include Portarlington mussels, Bellarine beef cheese steak panini and fried local squid.
Jack Rabbit Winery restaurant
The Jack Rabbit restaurant is a bit more ambitious and indulgent. It’s only open on Friday and Saturday nights, but it has gained a reputation as one of the best restaurants in regional Australia. A globetrotting three course menu costs $80. Book via the Jack Rabbit website.
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