World class wines, gourmet food and fresh local produce are just a few of the reasons why you should take a tour to the Yarra Valley.
If you are visiting Melbourne and want to take a day trip to taste the food and wine the city is famous for, look no further. A lot of the fresh local produce supplied to the cafes and restaurants in the city, comes from the Yarra Valley. It is known as the food bowl of Australia.
A cool climate valley with fertile soils and fresh produce in abundance. Throw into the mix, some creative producers, chefs and winemakers, and you’ve got yourself an exciting lineup of food and wine in the region.
Here’s our top five reasons why you should take a tour of the Yarra Valley – a perfect day trip from Melbourne.
World class wines in the Yarra Valley
World class cool climate wines have made the Yarra Valley famous. Pinot noir and chardonnay are the main grape varieties grown in the region. However, most of the larger wineries source their grapes form their other vineyards around Australia, meaning they have a wide variety of wines to taste.
Whether you are learn how to swirl, sniff, and slurp like a true connoisseur. Or tasting your favourite varieties to compare them to other regions. We know you will enjoy the experience. We have handpicked the wineries for tastings to ensure you not only taste quality wines, but thoroughly enjoy the whole experience.
Gourmet food in the Yarra Valley
The Yarra Valley is not just home to world class wines, but gourmet food as well. To prove it to you, we invite your to indulge in lunch at Rochford Wines. Year round you’ll enjoy views of the vineyards from Isabel’s Restaurant. Choose a menu of dishes made from fresh, in-season local produce – served with a glass of wine and tea or coffee. It’s a wonderful way to experience gourmet food amongst the vineyards of the Yarra Valley.
Fresh local produce in the Yarra Valley
There are plenty of producers who are ready to welcome you to the Yarra Valley. Showing that the wine is not the only hero of the region, we want to showcase the best of the food and local produce the Yarra Valley has to offer. To do this we visit Yarra Farm Fresh for a fruit tasting experience. You can also taste other produce from their range of jams, relishes, fruit juices, nougat, honey, chocolate and much more. We also visit Coldstream Dairy in order to taste their delicious cheeses. Seated on the patio with views out to the farm you can indulge in their Italian-style handmade cheeses, fresh feta and yoghurt.
No need for a designated driver
This is for anyone wanting to take a wine tour from Melbourne with friends or family. If you don’t want to designate someone to drive, take a tour with us. That way no one has to miss out on participating in the wine tastings. You can sit back and relax as we guide you around the Yarra Valley’s best wineries. Also no need to waste time getting directions or trying to find parking – we’ve got it all covered for you.
Chocolate and Ice cream to finish the Tour
Finish the Gourmet Tour with a stop at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie. Indulge in an exclusive chocolate tasting – only available to tour groups. Afterwards, check out the displays of thousands of premium chocolates, plus watch the expert chocolatiers hard at work handcrafting chocolate creations. Plus you can head to the cafe to grab a tasty hot chocolate or a scoop of handmade ice cream.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit the Yarra Valley?
Our Yarra Valley Gourmet Tour lets you tour this famous wine region during all seasons – so you’ll be comfortable no matter the weather. We are prepared for Melbourne’s unpredictable weather, because all stops have an indoor option. If the weather is nice, you can taste fruit juice outdoors at Yarra Farm Fresh, or eat ice cream in the orchards at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie. In the colder months, sit by the fire to enjoy a gourmet lunch at Rochford Wines and sip on the region’s finest drops in the cellar door at Yering Station. Our tour itinerary doesn’t change throughout the year – however we have flexibility at each of our stops to enjoy the outdoors or stay warm indoors as needed.
Where is the Yarra Valley?
The Yarra Valley is a scenic 45 minute drive from Melbourne. Located to Melbourne’s north east, it provides a great day trip for foodies and wine-lovers alike.
What wines are produced in the Yarra Valley?
The region is renowned for its wines and wineries which specialise in chardonnay and pinot noir. There are big name wineries like Yering Station, Balgownie Estate and Domaine Chandon. In addition there are a host of smaller boutique wineries scattered around the scenic valley.
Can we take a Private Tour of the Yarra Valley wine region?
If you would prefer to take a private tour of the Yarra Valley wine region – we can help you out! Our private tours can cater for 1 to 100 guests and can be completely arranged to meet your needs. You can extend your itinerary beyond just food and wine tastings. Ask us about the micro-breweries, distilleries, restaurants, art galleries and more! You might even like to visit the Australian wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary, located just a short drive from the centre of the valley.
What should I bring on tour to the Yarra Valley?
- Friends – this is a fun group day out, so bring your friends to enjoy it together
- Camera – to take photos and capture memories of your day
- Bag – to carry all the local produce and goodies you buy
- Wallet – so much delicious produce on this tour
- Jacket – layers are good in the cooler months
Written by: Leah Furey – Digital Content Coordinator @gowest.com.au
