Yarra Valley: Winery Tour with Lunch at Yering Station

The best part of this Yarra Valley day is the mix of polished estates and small producers. You begin with cheese and wine at De Bortoli, eat an excellent a la carte lunch at historic Yering Station, then finish with more personal tastings at Payten & Jones and Medhurst. It feels like a full introduction to the region, not just a quick stop at one big cellar door.

I like the small-group format, which makes a long 10-hour day feel more relaxed and personal. I also like the contrast between the four vineyards, from Yarra Valley pioneers to family-run and small-batch producers. The main caution is pace: four tastings, lunch, and a long drive make this a serious wine day, and some people may find there is more tasting than they can fully appreciate.

Key points to know before booking

• Historic Yering Station lunch: Choose an a la carte main course, with a glass of wine and coffee included.
• Four different vineyard stops: The route balances larger estates with smaller producers and changing wine styles.
• Cheese and wine pairing: De Bortoli begins the day with selected wines and a cheese platter.
• Small-group transport: Pickups run from Melbourne City, Fitzroy, Southbank, and East Melbourne.
• Experienced local guides: Paul, Rob, Adrian, Cam, and Shane have led departures, with commentary on wine, local history, and the region.
• A full day out: Allow 10 hours, with pickup and return in the city and tastings spread across the day.

A long, well-paced day from Melbourne to the Yarra Valley

The Yarra Valley sits about an hour northeast of Melbourne, but the route feels like a change of world. The drive passes through bush-covered suburbs such as Templestowe, Eltham, and Kangaroo Ground before reaching the vineyards around Dixons Creek and the Warramate Ranges.

Your guide does more than drive. Past hosts have included Paul, Rob, Adrian, Cam, and Shane. The strongest guides add useful commentary on Melbourne, local culture, vineyard history, and the wines you are about to taste. That matters because it gives the day a clear thread instead of leaving you to wander from one tasting counter to the next.

Pickup is offered from four central areas: Melbourne City, Fitzroy, Southbank, and East Melbourne. If your hotel is outside the city, you may need to meet in town. The exact pickup time and driver details are sent the evening before, so check your email or phone before bed.

Transport is in a small-group vehicle, and the format has earned particularly strong marks for comfort and service. You will spend a fair amount of time on the road, so a clean, comfortable van and a friendly driver make a real difference.

De Bortoli begins the day with cheese and wine

The first stop is De Bortoli Vineyard at Dixons Creek. It is a smart opening because you are not asked to begin the day with a large meal or a rushed flight of wines. Instead, selected wines are paired with a cheese platter, with morning nibbles also included.

This pairing gives you an easy way to notice how wine changes alongside food. You do not need advanced wine knowledge. Pay attention to which wines you prefer with the cheese, then ask your host or the cellar-door team about the grape varieties and local growing conditions.

De Bortoli is a larger and better-known name than some of the later stops, so this first tasting provides a useful reference point. You get a sense of the polished side of Yarra Valley winemaking before moving on to smaller producers.

The tasting is scheduled for about 45 minutes. That is enough time for a focused introduction, but not enough for you to linger over every bottle. If you enjoy examining each wine slowly, you may find the day’s timetable brisk.

Yering Station combines local history, art, and lunch

Yering Station is the day’s centerpiece. It occupies the site of the first vineyard planted in the Yarra Valley in 1838, while the original winery dates from about 1859. The tasting takes place in that older winery, which also displays local art and produce.

The setting gives the wine more context. You are not simply sampling chardonnay or pinot noir from a modern counter. You are tasting at a place tied closely to the development of the region’s wine industry.

The main treat is lunch in the Yering Station restaurant. You choose your own main course from an a la carte selection, with a glass of wine and coffee included. That is a better arrangement than being handed one fixed dish, especially for a group with different tastes.

The meal is allotted about an hour and a half, which gives you time to eat properly rather than squeeze lunch between tastings. The setting is one of the day’s highlights, with broad views across the valley and a more refined feel than the casual cellar-door stops.

Several people have described the lunch as one of the strongest parts of the day, and the value is easy to see here. A separate meal at a well-regarded vineyard restaurant, plus wine and coffee, would add up quickly. At $219 per person, the inclusion of a substantial main course helps justify the price.

Do not treat lunch as a minor break. It is the point in the itinerary where you can slow down, enjoy the view, and reset before the afternoon tastings.

Payten & Jones brings a smaller producer into the picture

After lunch, the tour changes direction with Payten & Jones. Behn Payten and Troy Jones produce small-batch wines with a more individual character than the larger estates.

The range includes familiar Yarra Valley favorites such as chardonnay and pinot noir, along with syrah and several Mediterranean grape varieties. That makes this stop useful if you want to understand how local producers work beyond the region’s best-known styles.

The tasting lasts about 45 minutes. The smaller scale should appeal to you if you prefer direct, informal encounters with wines that are not made in huge quantities. It also adds contrast after the formal lunch and historic setting at Yering Station.

One practical point: the route includes several tastings in one day, so you may want to pace yourself. You do not need to finish every pour. Taste carefully, drink water, and use the included bottled water throughout the day.

Medhurst offers a quieter final vineyard stop

The afternoon continues at Medhurst Vineyard, a family-owned 35-acre property established in 1999. Its position in the foothills of the Warramate Ranges gives the stop a different feel from the larger estate earlier in the day.

Medhurst produces a small selection of elegant table wines. The emphasis here is less on volume and more on a focused range from a family-run vineyard. It is a fitting late-day stop because the setting is charming and the tasting is more intimate.

Medhurst is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. On those days, the tour visits another Yarra Valley producer instead, with possible alternatives including Punt Road, Dominique Portet, Giant Steps, or Oakridge Vineyards.

That substitution is worth noting if you have a particular winery in mind. You should book this tour for the overall mix of the region, not as a guarantee of one exact final stop on every date.

The scheduled tasting lasts about an hour. By this point, you will have had four main vineyard experiences, lunch, snacks, and plenty of driving. Some departures have included five or even six vineyard visits, according to the descriptions of past days, but the stated core route is four wineries. The exact number can depend on the day’s operating plan.

What makes the vineyard mix work

The route is stronger because the stops do not all serve the same purpose.

De Bortoli gives you a larger producer and a food pairing. Yering Station adds history, art, a major restaurant, and views. Payten & Jones shows the work of a smaller team experimenting with a broader set of grapes. Medhurst brings a family-owned property and a quieter finish.

That variety is more useful than visiting four nearly identical cellar doors. You can compare different approaches to hospitality and winemaking as well as compare the wines themselves.

The Yarra Valley is especially known for chardonnay, pinot noir, and sparkling wine. The inclusion of syrah and Mediterranean varieties at Payten & Jones broadens the tasting experience. If you already know you like Yarra Valley chardonnay and pinot noir, this route gives you a chance to test less familiar styles as well.

The day also makes room for food at two stops. The cheese pairing at De Bortoli gives the morning a gentle start, while the Yering Station meal is a proper sit-down lunch. Morning nibbles and bottled water are included as well.

Is $219 good value?

At $219, this is not the cheapest Yarra Valley outing from Melbourne. The price makes more sense when you add up what is included: city pickup, small-group transport, a guide, tastings at multiple vineyards, cheese at De Bortoli, morning snacks, a main course at Yering Station, a glass of wine, coffee, and bottled water.

The lunch is the biggest value point. You are not paying extra for a basic sandwich or a quick cafe meal. You choose a main course in a scenic vineyard restaurant, and wine is included with it.

The small group also changes the feel of the day. You are not simply moved between scheduled stops with a large crowd. A good guide can answer questions, introduce you to hosts, and adjust the conversation to the group.

I would consider the tour good value for someone who wants a polished full-day experience and does not want to organize a designated driver, restaurant booking, and four separate cellar-door visits. It is less compelling if your main goal is to buy a large quantity of wine at the lowest possible cost, or if you prefer a slow visit to only one or two estates.

The small details that make the day easier

Dress smart casual. Singlets, thongs, sandals, and flip-flops are not allowed, so wear closed, comfortable shoes and bring a light layer for changing weather.

Oversize luggage is not permitted. Bring only what you need for the day, especially if you hope to purchase bottles. Personal purchases are not included in the tour price.

You must be at least 18 to drink alcohol. This is an adult wine-focused day, not a general sightseeing trip with a few optional samples.

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. Pickup is included where possible from a city hotel, but hotels outside the central areas may require you to meet at a city pickup point.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure. Confirmed cancellations within 72 hours incur a 50 percent fee, while cancellations within 24 hours incur the full fee. Minimum numbers apply, so the operator can cancel after confirmation if too few people book, offering an alternative or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this Yarra Valley tour?

I would recommend it to couples, friends, and solo visitors who want a full day of wine without renting a car. It also works well for people who care about food and scenery as much as tasting notes.

You do not need to be a wine expert. The guides explain the region in plain terms, and the different vineyards help you learn by comparison. Paul, Rob, Adrian, and Cam have all been praised for making the day informative without losing its social side.

It suits you especially well if you like meeting people from different countries, since the small groups often bring together an international mix. It is also a good choice for a celebration, with the elegant lunch and scenic setting giving the day a special feel.

I would hesitate only if you dislike long tours, want a very slow tasting at each stop, or are not interested in drinking wine throughout the day. The schedule is full, and the experience is built around variety rather than extended time at one vineyard.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the Yarra Valley in one well-organized day: four distinct vineyard experiences, a cheese pairing, a proper restaurant lunch, scenic drives, and a small group with an informed guide.

The strongest reasons to choose it are Yering Station’s lunch and setting, plus the range from large estate to boutique producer. Just arrive ready for a full schedule, pace your tasting, and keep your expectations flexible about the final vineyard on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For a first visit to the Yarra Valley from Melbourne, this is a polished and practical choice.

FAQ

How long does the Yarra Valley winery tour last?

The tour lasts 10 hours, including city pickup, travel between Melbourne and the Yarra Valley, vineyard visits, lunch, and the return journey.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available from or near hotels in Melbourne City, Fitzroy, Southbank, and East Melbourne where possible. If your hotel is outside the city, you may need to meet at a central pickup point.

How many wineries are visited?

The main route includes four vineyard visits: De Bortoli, Yering Station, Payten & Jones, and Medhurst. On some days, the final stop changes, and past departures have included additional vineyard visits.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You receive an a la carte main course at the Yering Station restaurant, along with a glass of wine and coffee.

Are wine tastings and food included?

Yes. The tour includes wine tastings, a cheese platter at De Bortoli, morning nibbles, bottled water, and the included lunch items at Yering Station.

What happens when Medhurst is closed?

Medhurst is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. On those days, the tour visits another winery, such as Punt Road, Dominique Portet, Giant Steps, or Oakridge Vineyards.

Can I cancel the tour for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. Cancellations within 72 hours have a 50 percent fee, and cancellations within 24 hours have a 100 percent fee.