Five of a kind: Picnic suppliers

THE STABLES OF COMO

Picture yourself in the spectacular grounds of historic Como House with a picnic hamper and blanket, ginger beer, a Ploughman's platter, seasonal salad, parmesan sables, Noisette baguettes and homemade wagon wheels. And, if you like, chilled champagne and a croquet set. You can even get a picnic table set with white china and linen. The Stables also offers a mini-picnic for kids, and can deliver Golden Gaytimes to your picnic spot at a pre-arranged time.
$45 a head; children $15 a head. Add-ons extra. Corner Como and Lechlade Avenue, South Yarra. 9827 6886

FITZROVIA

If you want the ultimate luxurious beachside picnic, Fitzrovia in St Kilda can put together a knock-out gourmet hamper, with cutlery, crockery, napkins and glassware. Enjoy savoury tarts, miniature sandwiches with fillings such as truffled egg (or lash out and upgrade to the butter-poached lobster and Istra bacon club sandwich), sides of cured salmon, mixed leaf salads, a cheese plate and seasonal sweets such as Monbulk strawberries with clotted cream. Dietary requirements are also catered for.
$75 a head (picnic for two). 2/155 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda. 9537 0001

MONTALTO VINEYARD AND OLIVE GROVE

Imagine wandering through lushly landscaped, sculpture-adorned grounds to discover your private picnic laid out on white linen. At Montalto, there are five designated picnic areas to book, and a picnic feast of seasonal shared platters will be laid out, along with the wine chosen after a cellar-door tasting.
$80 a head. Wine additional. 33 Shoreham Road, Red Hill South. 5989 8412

FARMERS' MARKETS

Curate your own seasonal haul for an impromptu Saturday afternoon picnic by heading to the nearest farmers' market. Pick up cider from Golden Axe, zesty pea and mint dip from Somersault, choose your favourite bread, olives, cheese, a bouquet of cress and a bag of tomatoes. Top off with punnets of fruit, sticks of nougat or a packet of mini Anzacs sandwiched with Belgian white chocolate from Michel's Fine Biscuit Company.
vicfarmersmarkets.org.au

HARPER AND BLOHM CHEESE SHOP

For a natty little Parisian-style picnic, head to Essendon's Harper and Blohm Cheese Shop, set within the Prince Wine Store. Owner Olivia Sutton can help select artisan cheeses and box them up with bread from Tivoli Road Bakery, and olives, cornichons and saffron pears. The wine store stocks lovely half-bottles of Australian and imported wine. Pick up an Opinel folding picnic knife, too.
Prices vary. 80 Primrose Street, Essendon. 0438 693 162