The car turns into the driveway and the world slows down. The Tuscan pines stand tall and proud beside the sign, taking on the role of welcoming committee.
As the tyres crunch over the gravel past the late summer vineyard, layers of city stress vanish, leaving only the stillness of the countryside.
I’m at Polperro Villas, in the heart of the renowned Red Hill wine region on the Mornington Peninsula. The Villas are perfectly located in the stunning 25-acre Polperro vineyard, down the hill from the restaurant and cellar door.
A seamless self-check-in and I’m in. Oh my, this villa is a haven of luxury. Elegant interiors, loads of natural light, vineyard views (in fact I feel I am in the vineyard) and bright floral artworks give the space personality.
The views are everything. From my writing desk, I look out on rows of vines rolling down the hill. The vineyard is alive with energy, (tractors and bunnies are sighted). The harvest is nearing and the fruit is carefully protected as it ripens on the vine. I feel like I’m right in the heart of the action.
Images: Interior of villa by Nina Ryan
The name “Polperro” comes from a quaint fishing village in Cornwall, a place that holds sentimental value for the owners, and their connection to this land is clear in every aspect of the estate. The wine is estate-grown, a single-vineyard expression of the unique terroir of the Mornington Peninsula, and the organic and biodynamic farm on the property supplies much of the food for the superb on-site restaurant.
The connection to the land is palpable here. Whether strolling down to the dam to be enveloped by the towering rusty trunks of the gum trees or getting up close to the fruit-laden vines on the walk to the cellar door and restaurant, the charm of the property wraps you in a sense of grounded calm. Polperro isn’t just luxury; it’s about the experience of being part of something alive.
Back to the villa, the spacious studio boasts a king-size bed, an open fireplace, spa bath, sauna, an in-room cellar stocked with wines from the estate and a mini health bar, filled with organic goodness from Hunter. Every detail has been thoughtfully designed for couples, but for me, it’s the perfect writer’s retreat.
I had a project to work on and needed a space with a great surrounding for inspiration. It fit the brief perfectly, albeit a little distracting with their incredibly popular restaurant buzzing with visitors up the hill.
I managed to stay focused knowing I had a lunch booking with a friend the next day. And what a lunch! There’s something holistic and deeply nourishing about eating and drinking produce from the very land you are on.
Images: The farm shots by Nina Ryan and aerial shot by The Drone Studio.
Everything about Polperro speaks to a deep respect for the land—from the certified organic and biodynamic vegetable gardens to the nourishing food and wine that flows from it. It’s a truly holistic experience, one where every detail—from the cozy, stylish villa to the wellness offerings like yoga (below the vineyard in Summer or in a nearby studio) —is designed to nurture and restore.
The Flower Press 