Purple Hen Winery: Can I go wine-tasting in Rhyll, Phillip Island?
The Purple Hen Winery in Rhyll, Phillip Island, makes cool climate wines. This Phillip Island winery is open to visitors for wine-tasting.
The Purple Hen Winery on Phillip Island, Victoria, gives an example of how widely spread Australia’s wine industry is. Even outside the major wine regions, such as the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Margaret River and Hunter Valley, you’ll often find small wineries. And these small wineries are often open to visitors.
Phillip Island tourist attractions
Being open to visitors is arguably the main reason for the Purple Hen Winery’s existence. It’s in Rhyll on Phillip Island, one of the most popular day trips from Melbourne. Thousands of tourists flock to Phillip Island every day, most with the intention of seeing the Penguin Parade.
There are, however, other attractions. Wildlife-lovers can take a Phillip Island whale-watching cruise or visit the Koala Conservation Reserve in Cowes.
5 Phillip Island experiences to book before arriving
- The legendary Penguin Parade – watch dozens of little penguins waddle home from the sea.
- Seal-watching cruise – visit Australia’s largest fur seal colony.
- Phillip Island helicopter tour – fly above the beaches and dramatic sea cliffs.
- Whale-watching cruise – with dolphins, seals and rare sea birds on the way.
- Phillip Island Chocolate Factory tour – with more than a touch of Willy Wonka.
Purple Hen Winery on Phillip Island
But there is an indulgent side to Phillip Island, too. The Rusty Water Brewery, Phillip Island Chocolate Factory and Phillip Island Winery are all open for tastings. And you can add the Purple Hen Winery to that list.
The Purple Hen Winery is on a small peninsula overlooking Western Port, and produced its first wines in 2004.
Purple Hen Winery in Rhyll: Tasting fees
Largely due to the climate, the Purple Hen winery specialises in cool climate wines. The cooler temperatures and higher humidity during the ripening period brings out some distinct flavours. The red wines, for example, have soft and supple tannins.
The Purple Hen Winery’s cellar door is open five day a week for most of the year, but seven days a week during the peak January holiday period.
Purple Hen Winery tasting charge
$15 is charged for tasting sessions, although this tasting fee is refunded if you buy two bottles of wine afterwards.
Wines available for tasting at Purple Hen include a dry and off-dry riesling, a pinot noir, a pinot gris and a viognier. For more information, visit the Purple Hen website.
More Victoria travel
Take photos at the Malmsbury Viaduct in Malmsbury.
How long is the drive from Echuca to Shepparton?
Stop at Cactus Country in Strathmerton on the drive from Cobram to Shepparton.
Which towns are on the South Gippsland Highway?
Visit the Roraima Nursery in Lara on the drive from Melbourne to Geelong.