Mornington Peninsula's Box Stallion winery for receivership sale

Vineyards and fine horses have come to epitomise the Mornington Peninsula. The scenic district is awash with maturing grapes and cellar door sales to well-heeled weekend visitors, and prize stallions are a feature as they canter across the paddocks.

But another stallion – this one in Merricks North - has fallen on hard times. Box Stallion winery and its Red Barn cellar door and restaurant is being sold by the receivers.

The 40-hectare holding on two titles, hidden behind the massive cypress hedges lining Tubbarubba Road, has been a stylish winery, restaurant and cellar door since the mid-2000s.

The main area of the barn seats 80 in banquet style on recycled timber tables and the stalls will extend the dining to 140. Cocktail style receptions will cater for up to 200 people. Treed outdoor areas are ideal for fine weather dining.

Michael Parker, of Paton Real Estate Balnarring, says the land component of the property could fetch around $3.5 million when expressions of interest close on September 16.

The purchaser would then have the option of buying the established winery fixtures and fittings, and extensive store of wine, at a price yet to be decided. The receivers would prefer to sell the lot together.

Although ‘’not privy to the ins and outs’’ of the winery’s demise, Parker says too much debt may have been the problem.

Pat Rice and Hawkins are agents in conjunction. It was once home to thoroughbred stallions of the Muranna Park stud.