Leah of Epicurean Red Hill

If you are looking for an architect designed venue with a sense of its history, just an hour from Melbourne, then look no further than Epicurean Red Hill. With soaring atrium in The Shed, the Barrel Room and a private dining room, Epicurean Red Hill offers a choice of reception options. Merricks House just a short drive away offers bridal party accommodation and a ceremony location in a beautiful garden – it’s all right there for you to choose from. Enjoy the food of the Red Hill region, Mornington Peninsula wines, cheeses and olives, with an Italian inspired menu and woodfired pizzas to treat your guests. What more could you wish for – all the ingredients for a spectacular wedding!

Please describe Epicurean Red Hill to us! 

Encompassing herb planter boxes, Carrara marble, recycled wharf beams, enomatic wine dispensers, formaggeria & open fireplaces, The Shed is an amazing space. Designed by Hecker Guthrie, every element has been considered to bring together rustic, industrial & chic whilst protecting the integrity of the historical Coolstore.

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‘The Shed’

How do the present buildings fit in with the historic elements of the site?

The large roller doors at the rear of the shed are reminiscent of the days when the packing shed operated as a distribution hub for local produce, the railway line was situated to the left looking out. The Barrel Room has been left intact, the old refrigeration pipes in the ceiling still remain. The insulation foam which covered the internal walls in the Barrel Room and Private Dining Room are also preserved. In addition there is a heritage overlay on the old tin shed. The concrete and red brick are also original parts of the old coolstore.

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The ‘Barrel Room’

Do bridal couples have exclusive use of the venue for their wedding?

The Epicurean Red Hill offers many styles of wedding, therefore each bride and groom accommodate areas exclusively based on their number of guests. The Shed is often utilised exclusively including the Barrel Room, Private Dining Room & Alfresco Area for weddings with 100 + guests. Our smaller weddings make the Barrel Room and Private Dining room the ideal option for a more intimate event.

Please describe the spaces you have available for the ceremony?

We are very excited to introduce The Epicurean Merricks House to The Epicurean brand. The Epicurean Merricks House offers weekend packages exclusively to our bride and grooms on the weekend of their wedding. The Epicurean Merricks House provides the most spectacular outdoor ceremony location in the most incredible gardens & accommodation for 12 guests in our boutique country house. The best bit, The Epicurean can cater directly to the house for any pre or post wedding events such as recovery lunches or champagne breakfasts.

How far is Merricks House from Epicurean Red Hill?

6 minutes.

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Merricks House

Do you have an events team to help organize the wedding?

The Epicurean Red Hill has a dedicated Events Manager who manages all of our bridal couples specific requirements from the date of booking their wedding through to the conclusion of their event. Our dedicated team includes an Operations supervisor and Restaurant Manager all of whom are involved in the operation on the day.

Are bridal couples able to work with the chef to choose a menu which best reflects their style? And wine matching – is this available?

The Epicurean Red Hill offers a fabulous menu concept, which includes roaming, sharing & grazing elements. We encourage all couples to add menu items which best reflect their individual style. The Epicurean Red Hill offers wines sourced from the Morning ton Peninsula these of course can be matched to all menu items.

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Are you able to offer post ceremony drinks and canapés, and an area/garden where guests can relax while photos are being taken?

The Epicurean Red Hill is fortunate enough to back onto a fabulous reserve. Guests are welcome to enjoy our fabulous alfresco area with direct access outside. If you are considering a post or pre wedding event there is no better place than The Epicurean Merricks house with the most superb garden.

How would you describe Epicurean food? 

The Epicurean Red Hill offers fresh, regional produce sourced from the Mornington Peninsula. Our Italian dishes include roaming, sharing and grazing elements and focus on simple, fresh, local Italian fare.

It must be a source of pride to offer your own handmade produce. How can these be incorporated into a wedding menu?

We are known for our woodfired pizzas where our Pizziolo’s use the skills they have grown up with perfecting their own recipe through many years of meticulous preparation from making the dough to rolling it out and finishing in the woodfire oven. Who wouldn’t enjoy pizza at a wedding? Not to mention the theatre around the open kitchen.

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Are you able to source produce and alcohol locally to showcase the many artisan producers on the Peninsula?

The Epicurean Red Hill sources it’s produce and wine from the Mornington Peninsula where possible, we work alongside some fabulous producers who are only too happy to source produce as requested by our clients.

What would you suggest serving guests as a ‘tummy filler’ at midnight?

Woodfire Pizza of course.

Do you have a list of preferred vendors – are couples free to choose their own?

Either or, we are certainly able to assist with our hand picked favorites, or our bridal couples may prefer to select their own.

Please describe some fabulous wedding décor ideas you’ve seen at Epicurean?

One bride couple had set up the most beautiful tea and coffee station for guests using vintage teacups and sauces which had been collected over generations. They were the most beautiful colours and designs. It was simple and elegant and it was nice to see the tea & coffee station given some love. It was really lovely to see many of the guests drinking from beautifully designed tea cups and sauces and eating homemade shortbread. Loved it.

We see some gorgeous floral installations.

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 Is there accommodation available for guests nearby?

Of course, Flinders Hotel, Hummingbird Eco Lodge, Red Hill Brewery and many gorgeous B &B’s.

What do the Epicurean team do to relax at the end of the working week?

Eat great food and drink amazing wine. We eat out often.

What do you love most about the Peninsula region of Victoria?

A wine region in coastal town – can’t beat it.

Thank you Leah for sharing your story. Make the most of this beautiful venue by making a wedding weekend of it. To find out more about Epicurean Red Hill visit the website.

Images courtesy of Epicurean Red Hill.