Restaurant
Rare Hare Wine & Food Store
166 Balnarring Rd, Merricks North VIC 3926, Australia
Find Rare Hare Wine & Food Store
166 Balnarring Rd, Merricks North VIC 3926, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Rare Hare Wine & Food Store
Perched over the Jackalope estate, Rare Hare delivers the quintessential Mornington Peninsula long lunch alongside sweeping vine views. The glass dining room hums with communal energy, framing rows of grapes while the handcrafted wood-fired oven runs hot. Diners routinely steer their tables toward the Hare Share set menu—an unhurried progression built for passing around. First come warm potato bread and fried barra wings bathed in 'nduja butter, followed by tender wood-fired eggplant, slow-braised lamb shoulder, and glasses of estate-grown Pinot Noir. It winds down with toffee date cake slicked in salted butterscotch cream.
- Vineyard Panorama: A sun-filled dining room with floor-to-ceiling glass windows framing working vineyard rows on the Jackalope property.
- Wood-Fired Share Feasts: Generous shared courses anchored by wood-fired potato bread, fried barra wings, eggplant, and braised lamb shoulder.
- Estate Cellar Door Tastings: Casual counter tastings poured steps from the dining room highlight cool-climate estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
What's On at Rare Hare Wine & Food Store
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Dine at Rare Hare Wine & Food Store
Discover why diners choose Rare Hare for relaxed winery lunches, wood-fired seasonal feasts, and shared celebrations.
Picturesque Vineyard Outlook
Panoramic vineyard rows frame the dining room, providing a scenic backdrop for an unhurried winery lunch.
the vineyard views really made the whole experience - so relaxing and easily the highlight
Naga Light-Filled Winery Atmosphere
Floor-to-ceiling glass captures abundant natural sunlight and sweeping views across the vines throughout the meal.
The space is stunning, filled with natural light and overlooking the vineyards.
Stephanie Rose Wood-Fired Share Feasts
A handcrafted wood-fired oven produces generous seasonal share plates, including house-made potato bread and charred vegetables.
The highlights for me were the potato bread, zucchini with stracciatella mousse, the woodfired Lebanese eggplant
Leh Signature Seasonal Dishes
The kitchen delivers distinctive wood-fired and specialty sharing dishes, featuring standout plates like nduja butter barramundi wings.
The ultimate star is the fried barramundi wings with nduja butter sauce, and the miso furikake eggplant.
Dionne Communal Group Dining
Long communal tables provide a relaxed country dining ambiance suited for groups gathering over shared plates.
casual long table setting gives you a bit of country communal dining
Daniel Loui Attentive Group Hospitality
Thoughtful service accommodates diverse guest requirements and group preferences seamlessly across multi-course menus.
Two people in our group don’t drink alcohol and the team went above and beyond to explain the non alcoholic selection.
Kelly Dawn
Most popular items
Signature savory plates made for sharing and wood-fired dining
Barramundi wings
The barra wings is exceptionally tasty!!!
IRENE Ng Eggplant
The wood fired eggplant and charred persimmon dishes were standouts.
Steve Jomac Gnocchi
My favourite dish was the gnocchi - honestly by far the best gnocchi I’ve had in my life
Kim Peterson Squid
of course the barramundi wings were a fav, plus the squid, woodfired cookie and even the salads were top notch
Julie West
Other favorites
Breads, desserts, and cellar door wine experiences to round out your visit
Potato bread
the freshly made potato bread was a highlight!
Mew Wong Woodfired cookie
plus the squid, woodfired cookie and even the salads were top notch
Julie West Wine tasting
also tried $10 wine tasting, it's worth!
Yosy Christy Natalia Chardonnay
The Chardonnay we chose went beautifully with the meal.
Natasha Scott-Haeussler
Beyond the menu
Thoughtful details that elevate your dining experience at Rare Hare
Dedicated Dietary Menus
Staff provide dedicated dietary menus, making dining seamless for Coeliac and allergy-conscious guests enjoying the Hare Share feast.
Curated Non-Alcoholic Pairings
The beverage team curates thoughtful alcohol-free options and custom pairings alongside the estate wine selections.
Personalized Cellar Door Tastings
Tasting hosts at the cellar door deliver warm, personalized guidance through estate vintages before or during dining.
Golden-Hour Vineyard Seating
Communal long-table layouts pair with sunset seating times, offering expansive views across working vineyard rows as dusk settles.
Before you head over
Practical advice on pacing, reservations, and dietary planning for your winery visit.
Allow Ample Time for the Feast
Plan for an unhurried multi-course dining experience rather than a quick stop. The share-style menu arrives in steady waves designed for leisurely enjoyment over vineyard scenery.
Reserve Ahead to Avoid Delays
Bookings are strongly recommended as the dining room fills quickly with peak holiday visitors and walk-ins, which can occasionally slow down table service.
Check the Dedicated Dietary Menu
Ask staff for their separate dietary menu if you have allergies or preferences; the kitchen comfortably adapts dishes for coeliacs, though individual a la carte items may feature pepper or set choices.
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