Melbourne’s renowned wine region is waiting to be explored – here’s why you should take a tour to the Yarra Valley.
Melbourne’s food bowl is the Yarra Valley. A region where fresh produce and top quality wine can be sourced. It is an excellent location for a day tour. Just a 45 minute trip from Melbourne will have you entering a region that excels when it comes to food and wine.
If wine tasting is on your agenda, we recommend taking a tour – so you have your own driver and transport for the whole day trip. It’s also nice to sit back and be chauffeured to your destinations – it takes the stress out of trying to organise the logistics yourself.
If you’d like to take a day trip to the Yarra Valley from Melbourne, we recommend our Yarra alley Gourmet Tour. It highlights the best of the region in a day filled with food and wine tastings, as well as a gourmet winery lunch.
If you prefer to do it your own way, we can tailor a private tour or charter. Pick which wineries you would like to visit, and we can take you on tour with your own guide to coordinate your day. You can sit back and relax while we ensure you have a fantastic day out in the Yarra Valley.
Why you should take a tour to the Yarra Valley
Wine tastings
Taste wines from top Yarra Valley wine producers at Balgownie Estate and Yering Station. Taste the Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that the Yarra Valley is known for – as well as the individual wineries finest drops.
At Balgownie Estate wine is at the heart of everything they do. Their focus is on elegant cool climate wines from the Yarra Valley. They also have a range of deeply complex and distinguished cellaring styles from the old vines growing in the original Balgownie Bendigo vineyards.
At Yering Station, the cellar door is in the property’s old winery building. Yering is where the first grape vines in Victoria were planted in 1838. A prestigious winery – it serves up some quality wines in a truly memorable experience and as such, is a member of the Australian Tourism Hall of Fame.
Gourmet Winery Lunch
The restaurant at Rochford Wines serves up a delicious gourmet lunch – with views of the vineyards. On tour you can choose from four different main meals. Each uses fresh, in-season local produce – served with a glass of wine and tea or coffee. After lunch, climb the spiral staircase to enjoy the panoramic views of the property or explore the gift shop and cellar door.
Take freshly made cheeses
Head to the Yarra Valley Dairy to taste cheeses that will truly melt in your mouth. The dairy shop is located in the century-old milking shed on the property – a perfect place to indulge. The Dairy specialises in making soft cheeses and fetas – which will have your tastebuds working overtime!
On the weekends we visit the Coldstream Dairy to taste their delicious range of cheeses. Seated on the patio with views out to the farm and surrounding hills, we sample their finest creations. The Dairy specialises in cheeses made using Yarra Valley milk – in particular Italian-style handmade cheeses, fresh feta and yoghurt.
Taste chocolate and icecream
The Yarra Valley Chocolaterie is where you can enjoy an exclusive chocolate tasting. The Chocolaterie produces many delicious and tempting handmade chocolate creations. It’s a wonder to watch the expert chocolatiers hard at work handcrafting the range of products. It’s even better to taste them! You can also grab a tasty hot chocolate from the cafe, or sample the ice cream range – all of which is made on site.
Taste fresh fruits, juices and locally made products
Visit Yarra Farm Fresh where you can view the farm and visit the onsite produce store. Sample a range of seasonal fruits and other local produce and learn about the wide range of farm-fresh fruits grown on the property. There is time to explore the produce store and perhaps purchase some goodies to take home. Their local products stocked include jams, relishes, fruit juices, nougat, honey, chocolate, fruit, vegetables and much more.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 – most of which specialise in chardonnay and pinot noir. There are big name wineries like Yering Station, Balgownie Estate and Domaine Chandon. As well as a host of smaller boutique wineries scattered around the scenic valley.
What should I take on a visit to the Yarra Valley?
- Your mates – this is a fun group day out, so bring your friends to enjoy it together
- Your phone / camera – to take photos and capture memories of your day
- A bag to carry all the local produce and goodies you might be tempted to buy
- Your wallet (see above – so much delicious produce on this tour!)
- A jacket in the cooler months
Book your tour today!
For a relaxing day out, tasting great wines and fresh local produce, taking a tour is a great option. Because there is no need for a designated driver, or trying to navigate around a new destination – we will do the work for you. From choosing the best experiences – wine tastings, local produce, gourmet lunches – to providing you with a great commentary on the region, we will ensure you have a fantastic experience. You can take a winery tour from Melbourne that is memorable for all the right reasons.
Taking a day tour from Melbourne with Go West Tours is a great way to ensure you experience the best of the Yarra Valley. Our expert guides, comfortable bus and friendly, professional approach to touring, will guarantee you a fantastic day trip from the city.
With 22 years in business, Go West Tours is still a family-owned and operated tour business. We are as committed to providing guests with an unforgettable experience as we were back in 2000. We are the most highly-awarded tour operator in Melbourne and we guarantee to provide you with an experience that is memorable for all the right reasons.
Written by: Leah Furey – Digital Content Coordinator @gowest.com.au
