Melbourne: Yarra Valley Wine Tour with Gin, Cider & Chocolate
Description
Voted #1 tour in all of Melbourne and Australia (Tripadvisor 2026), this is the most social, flexible and laid-back way to spend a day in the Yarra Valley. Make new friends and spend the day sampling world-class wine, gin, cider, beer and chocolate, your way. Your day begins with a Melbourne CBD pickup at Parliament Station before the 60-minute drive into the valley. From there, tastings are included at four venues - two wineries, a gin distillery, and a private chocolate tasting. You choose from a range of options at each stop, and your guide splits the group if needed so everyone gets exactly what they want. Highlights of the day include wine and cider tasting at a boutique family-run vineyard, a full wine tasting at a stunning 40-acre Italian-style estate, gin paddles at Four Pillars and a private 25-minute chocolate tasting session at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie. Prefer beer? We'll take you to the local craft brewery instead. Prefer more wine? Payten and Jones have you covered.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Arrive at the bus stop directly across the road from Hotel Windsor, 74 Spring Street, East Melbourne, by 8:45 AM. Your guide will check you in, introduce the group, and run through the day ahead. We depart by 8:55 AM at the latest. The easiest way to find us: search 'Hotel Windsor' in your maps app and cross the road. Parliament Station is directly below - free tram zone from anywhere in the CBD.
Approx. 60 minutes. Sit back as we head out of the city. Your guide will get the Spotify playlist started, add your songs from your own phone. The drive takes you from the Melbourne suburbs out through vineyard country into the Yarra Valley.
First stop: a small, family-run boutique vineyard with a rustic cellar door. Try 5-6 wines including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Shiraz, plus their famous Pink Lady Apple Cider. Great views and a perfect warm-up for the day.
A stunning 40-acre Italian-style winery with some of the best wines in the valley, including an exceptional Tempranillo. Tastings are often held outdoors on the terrace - arguably the best photo spot of the day.
Option 1 - Choose 1 of 2: Your first group choice of the day - St Huberts 'Quarters' or Domaine Chandon. St Huberts: Full bistro menu (approx. A$25–35), an indigenous art gallery, and optional wine and whisky tastings. Domaine Chandon: Lighter lounge menu with world-class sparkling wine and spectacular views. We split the group if the group is divided.
Option 2 - Choose 1 of 2: Your first group choice of the day - St Huberts 'Quarters' or Domaine Chandon. Instead of Huberts for lunch, we can take you Chandons 'lounge bar' where you will have 80 minutes to enjoy lunch/drinks at your own expense. Enjoy stunning views and incredible sparkling wines. Note that the food here is a lot smaller and a bit more expensive than the other lunch spot, Huberts Estate. It's a great option if you have dinner plans later. Think: Oysters and cheeseboards. Nothing like steaks or burgers. Domaine Chandon only serves sparkling wines. No beers. No wine. Nothing else. Inform us before the tour if you want lunch here so we can make a booking for you. Note: The menu in their lounge bar is different from their proper restaurant. The restaurant is a 3 hour set menu which we don't have time for. It's possible to stop here for a 5-min photo opp. Most people come here for a glass to enjoy the scenery anyway, so 70 minutes Is plenty of time!
(Option 1 - Choose 1 of 3) Four Pillars: Gin paddles (4 gins with mixer, included). Payten & Jones: Intimate wine tasting of 5 wines, often poured by the owners. Watts River: 4 craft beers on a paddle at this local favourite. Group can split across all three venues.
(Option 2 - Choose 1 of 3) Four Pillars: Gin paddles (4 gins with mixer, included). Payten & Jones: Intimate wine tasting of 5 wines, often poured by the owners. Watts River: 4 craft beers on a paddle at this local favourite. Group can split across all three venues.
(Option 3 - Choose 1 of 3) Four Pillars: Gin paddles (4 gins with mixer, included). Payten & Jones: Intimate wine tasting of 5 wines, often poured by the owners. Watts River: 4 craft beers on a paddle at this local favourite. Group can split across all three venues.
(Option 1 - Choose 1 of 2) Chocolaterie: Private 25-minute tasting of 10–12 chocolates in a dedicated room, followed by free time to browse and buy.
(Option 2 - Choose 1 of 2) Yarrawood: A glass of wine with panoramic vineyard views - for those who'd rather keep drinking. Drinks are at your own expense.
Back at Parliament Station / Hotel Windsor between 4:50 PM and 5:15 PM depending on traffic.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Meeting point: Bus stop directly across from Hotel Windsor, 74 Spring Street, East Melbourne - above Parliament Station. Arrive by 8:45 AM
- What to wear: Comfortable clothes and a layer - mornings in the valley can be cool
- BYO food and drinks welcome on the bus; esky provided for bottles purchased at venues
- Every tasting option throughout the day is exactly that - an option. Your guide reads the group and adjusts
- Groups usually 10–20 people; max 22 on the main bus, 13 on the smaller van
- Not wheelchair accessible; no space for luggage, prams, or pushchairs
- Children welcome; full adult price applies on public group tours
Reviews(5,085)
I really enjoyed this tour! Everything was well organized, and the itinerary was followed on time, which made the experience smooth and stress-free. Our tour guide, Cal, was fun, friendly, and very kind. He kept the group engaged, shared interesting information about the places we visited, and made sure everyone was comfortable throughout the trip. I also found it cool to have a shared Spotify playlist during the ride. The destinations were beautiful, and there was enough time at each stop to enjoy the scenery and take photos without feeling rushed. Overall, it was a great experience, and I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a well-organized and enjoyable day out. Thanks again for making the trip so memorable!
It was an awesome day with a nice group and our lovely driver Callum. We had so many different wines and and the chocolate was really yummy. Loved it and highly recommend it to anyone.
A most joyful Yara Valley Winery experience. Callum was an excellent guide. Made everyone comfortable and welcome. Highly recommended.
Callum was amazing, catered to everyone and listened explained everything! was truly made a great experience!
Our tour guide Calum was very impressive with his skills and knowledge about the trip.
A fantastic trip to the Yarra Valley. Value for money! Callum was great. Very friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend
Incredible tour with Callum. Very fun and welcoming driver. He enabled us to jmhave fun, be comfortable and get to know each other. What a fun experience going winery to winery. Some great options for all visitors.
Calum was entertaining helpful and made the tour engaging and enjoyable Only would do with him as guide in future
Fantastic experience, great range of wineries. Lunch was fantastic and the chocolate tasting was the perfect way to finish. Callum was a great tour guide
Cal was an amazing guide, truly friendly and explained everything in detail. Extremely cooperative and took our song preferences very seriously!! Would definitely book with him again, if given a chance ofc!!
