Mount Mary Wine Lunch

Some producers don’t need to shout. Mount Mary has never had to.

For over five decades, this quiet, north-facing slope in the heart of the Yarra Valley has produced wines of uncommon finesse — wines that collectors pursue, restaurants covet, and those fortunate enough to encounter rarely forget. This August, we welcome Mount Mary to Lake House for a long, unhurried afternoon in the Waterfront Pavilion.

The story begins in 1971, when John and Marli Middleton — inspired by the great estates of Bordeaux and Burgundy — planted vines on a hillside east of Melbourne that no one had touched since the Swiss settlers of the 1850s. What followed was a life’s work: forty acres, eighteen varieties, and an unwavering pursuit of elegant, low-alcohol wines from French varieties on Australian soil. James Halliday has long counted Mount Mary among the Yarra Valley’s foremost pioneers, praising its rare finesse and purity.

That founding obsession endures today in the hands of grandson Sam Middleton, who has guided the estate with equal conviction since 2011 — deepening the commitment to sustainable viticulture and continuing to coax something extraordinary from this singular site. The four estate wines remain anchored in French tradition: the Bordeaux-style Quintet and Triolet, and a Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that speak unmistakably of the Yarra Valley. All fruit estate grown. All wine produced and bottled on site.

With just 30 seats, this is an intimate afternoon – a multi-course chef’s menu from the Lake House kitchen, each course paired to the wines, in a setting that feels made for exactly this kind of occasion.

Stay the Weekend | Two nights at Lake House, breakfast each morning, and an à la carte dinner for two. From $1,600 for two guests.

Cellar Series Terms & Conditions
All events are subject to availability. Cellar Series tickets are non-refundable. Tickets are transferable up to 30 days prior to the class but Lake House must be notified at info@lakehouse.com.au Please note that whilst every effort is made to ensure all events continue as planned – we are subject to last minute changes in event of an unavoidable circumstances. Cellar Series Lunch guests must be 18 years of age or older.
A Note on Allergies
Please note that this is a set menu and unable to be modified. Lake House makes every effort to do what’s possible to accommodate guests with food allergies, however if you have severe allergies we suggest speaking directly to our Reservations Team.