The Yarra Valley, east of Melbourne is known as one of Australia’s premier wine regions. It is also home to some wonderful local produce including beer, yes you read right! Chocolate, gin and cheese. So if you are a bit of a gourmet, or not, come and enjoy the Yarra Valley on some of the best wine and food tours of the Yarra Valley has to offer.
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Wineries of the Yarra Valley
The Yarra Valley has been around for a very long time, some 50,000 years or so with the local Wurundjeri people being the traditional owners. It was in the 1830s that the first vines were introduced. Since then, the Yarra Valley has grown to be home to some 80 or so wineries producing premier cool-climate wines of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and méthode traditionnelle sparkling.
There are a number of world-renowned and award winning wine makers who call the Yarra Valley Home. You can get inspiration of a winery to visit from the list of wineries here.
Some notable wineries include but not limited to: Yering Station, De Bortoli, TerraWarra Estate, Domain Chandon, Balgownie Estate and Seville Estate to name a few.
Local Produce of the Yarra Valley
The Yarra Valley is more than wineries, it is a thriving home to some 17,000 people living, working and playing in the towns and on the land. And because of the fertile land other industries are producing fabulous local produce. You’ve got:
Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery
Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery outside of Yarra Glen. It produces chocolate on site. You can watch the chocolate being made and sometimes there are chocolate making classes. There is a cafe you can enjoy much of the chocolate with a coffee. If visiting the Yarra Valley with family this is one of the best places to visit in the Yarra Valley with kids of all ages, as who doesn’t love chocolate or ice cream!
see the Polkadots be made
wall of chocolate
Yarra Valley Dairy
Yarra Valley Dairy producing great artisan cow and goat cheeses. Many of the cheese recipes reflect traditional farmhouse cheese of France and Italy. Come try a cheese tasting for yourself!
Coldstream Brewery
Coldstream Brewery in the centre of Coldstream has a range of craft beers to try. They also have a great restaurant serving burgers, snitzels and pizzas to go with your beer, or wine.
Four Pillars Gin
The Four Pillars Gin Distillery in Healesville has grown from humble beginnings to having award winning gins. Find out for yourself with a visit.
Fruit and Veggie Growers
Fruit and vegetable growers that allow you to come pick your own fruit such as strawberries. This is another kid-friendly Yarra Valley activity if visiting with family. Find out here where you could pick some fruit.
How to Get around the Yarra Valley
The Yarra Valley is big and public transport is limited. There are some public buses but they are far and few between. The best way to get around the Yarra Valley is by car. If you don’t have one you can rent one here through DiscoverCars. Check out this touring map to help you plan your trip.
However, if you want to indulge in the local produce, particularly the wine, beer or gin, then I suggest you leave the car at home and go on a tour. There are a variety of tours on offer with some only going to the wineries while others offer a mixture of food and alcohol. Here are some of the best wine and food tours of the Yarra Valley to help you discover the local produce of the Yarra Valley.
Best Wine and Food Tours of the Yarra Valley
Yering Station Cellar Door
Yarra Valley Hop on Hop Off Bus
If you don’t have access to a car, the next best thing is the Yarra Valley Hop on Hop Off Bus. This bus has pick up points in Melbourne and Lilydale Train Station – Lilydale is known as the gateway to the Yarra Valley. The Hop on Hop off Bus has two routes – a red one and a green. Both routes take you to different wineries where you can hop off at, enjoy a wine or two and then hop back on the bus to the next stop. The green route will take you to Yering Station pictured above.
Get more details and to purchase your ticket on the Yarra Valley Hop on Hop Off Bus here.
Full Day of Wine with Lunch
Visit a number of wineries with lunch included. Get more details and purchase your ticket for a full day of wine with lunch here.
Wine, Gin & Chocolate
Mix your day up with wine, gin and chocolate. Get more details and purchase your ticket for a full day of wine, gin and chocolate here.
Wine, Chocolate & Cheese
Eat your way through the Yarra Valley enjoying chocolate and cheese, oh, and a little wine! Get more details and purchase your ticket for a full day of chocolate, cheese and wine here.
Gourmet Tour with Lunch
Enjoy all the best food on a gourmet tour of the Yarra Valley. Get more details and purchase your ticket for a full day of gourmet food with lunch included here.
Winery Tour and Lunch @ Yering Station
Yering Station is one of my favourite wineries. Tour the facilities and then sit down for a great lunch with fabulous views over the Yarra Valley. Get more details and purchase your ticket for a winery tour with lunch @ Yering Station here.
see where all the magic happens at Yering Station
Yarra Valley Wine, Gin and Beer Tour
Tempt your taste buds with locally produced wine, gin and beer – lucky you’re not driving! Get more details and purchase your ticket for a full day of wine, gin and beer here.
Visit the Yarra Valley by Helicopter
That’s right – go in style on your day trip to the Yarra Valley by helicopter. Picking you up from Melbourne and landing you in the hear of the Yarra Valley. Get more details and purchase your ticket to be taken to the Yarra Valley by helicopter here.
Private Wine Tour in a ’56 Chevrolet
Got a special occasion coming up, or just love chevrolet, go on a private wine out in a ’56 Chevrolet. Get more details and purchase your ticket for a visit to the Yarra Valley in a ’56 Chevrolet here.
Yarra Valley Hot Air Balloon with Breakfast
What better way to appreciate the Yarra Valley by seeing it from the air in a hot air balloon after a champaign breakfast. Get more details and purchase your ticket for a ride in a hot air balloon with breakfast over the Yarra Valley here.
Are You Ready to Eat and Drink Your Way Through the Yarra Valley?
As you have read in this post, the Yarra Valley is known for its wines plus local produce. I hope you get the chance to enjoy some of them!
If a day in the Yarra Valley isn’t enough, why not book into some accommodation and do it all again for a second day! Get accommodation in the Yarra Valley here.
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