Eastern Peake sits among gentle hills with a calm that makes city stress melt away. I arrived with my trusty OM-5 camera and the kids happily counting sheep in the distance while Tommy snoozed in the back seat. The first sip set the tone for a slow afternoon that felt like a mini holiday even with kids in tow.
The tasting focused on cool climate pinot and chardonnay that show purity and balance. Each pour felt considered and the team shared helpful notes without any rush. Conversation flowed about soil, seasons and food matches which made the wines even more memorable.
Although I'm not a big fan of Pinot Noir I don't mind a good chardonnay every now and then. Eastern Peake Cellar Door definitely surprises for the Pyrenees as generally speaking the region is all about big reds and in particular Shiraz.
Because of this differentiation Eastern Peake Cellar Door is worth a visit if you feel like tasting something a bit different from neighbouring wineries.
The room feels relaxed and unfussy with valley views that invite you to linger. A simple regional board added crunch and cream to the glass in hand. It is the sort of place where you can take a deep breath, watch the light shift across the vines and plan the next little adventure.
We all love high quality: The great thing about visiting Eastern Peake Cellar Door is you know that quality is guaranteed. It's nice to know you can score Halliday Wine Compananion wines 95+.
I like to zig when others zag, so visiting midweek was a smart move. Yeah, working from home has it's advantages from time to time. If you are a featherweight wine drinker like me, pace yourself with water and snacks and keep a few bottles for later. This is a cellar door that rewards curiosity and rewards a return visit even more.
A perfect time to visit is spring and autumn but really wine tastes good anytime. Hint. Hint. As Adele says, "I drink wine" and so I do!
Getting there and bases
Eastern Peake Cellar Door is located at 67 Pickfords Road, Coghills Creek VIC 3364.
- Drive times (approx.): Melbourne to Eastern Peake 1 hr 50 mins; Ballarat to Eastern Peake 25 mins.
- Good bases: Ballarat for food, art and family activities; Creswick for a quieter country stay.
- Visitor Centres: Creswick Visitor Information Centre, 41 to 43 Albert Street, Creswick; Ballarat Visitor Information Centre, 225 Sturt Street, Ballarat.
Nearby Wineries and Tourist Destinations
While you are here why not visit these other great locations:
- Top Things to do in Ballarat: A summary of all the great things to do when visiting Ballarat. More info here.
- Pyrenees weekend away: Our guide to the "hidden" Pyrenees. More info here.
- Bigibila Wines: hand-crafted premium, full-bodied, fruit-driven red wines including Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot with a scenic setting, lovely balcony and heaps of flowers. 85 Polleters Road, Moonambel 3478. More info here.
- Clunes Historic Town: Our guide to Clunes, home to the House of Bottle museum and Mt Beckworth, just 8 minutes drive away. More info here.
- Andersons Mill: Historic flour mill site in Smeaton with picnic space. More info here.
- Art Gallery of Ballarat: Heritage gallery on Lydiard Street North with changing shows. Address 40 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat.
- Ballarat Wildlife Park: Family friendly wildlife attraction. Address 250 Fussell Street, Ballarat East.
- Captains Creek Organic Wines: Cellar door on a working organic farm. Address 120 Kangaroo Hills Road, Blampied.
- Clunes Town Hall: Grand venue at the heart of Booktown events. Address 98 Bailey Street, Clunes.
- Creswick Woollen Mills: Working mill museum and shop. Address Railway Parade, Creswick. More info here.
- Kryal Castle: Medieval themed attraction. Address 121 Forbes Road, Leigh Creek.
- Lake Learmonth: Lakeside walks and birdlife near the village.
- Tuki Trout Farm: Farm to table trout and country views. Address 60 Stoney Rises Road, Smeaton.
- Wayward Winery: Modern country dining with vineyard views. Address 76 Quoin Hill Road, Waubra.
Other Useful Reference Material
The following documents may be particularly helpful if you are considering doing your own wine trail or looking for holiday ideas.
Disclaimer: Use at your own discretion. The information may be out of date and is not maintained or owned by West Melbourne And Beyond.
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