Amazing Yarra Valley Wine Tour + Chocolate, Farm Fresh, Gin

Come hungry for variety, not just wine. This 8.5-hour Yarra Valley tour packs fruit, wine, chocolate, cider, and optional gin into one easy day from Melbourne. I like the small-group size, capped at 20 people, and the mix of major estates with more relaxed local producers. The included tastings also make the advertised $93.24 price appealing, though you still pay for lunch and any extra tasting at St Hubert Estate.

The tour is especially good if you want to sample the region without driving. Guides such as Danny, Shaun, Posi, and Stefan have earned praise for keeping the mood friendly, playing good music, sharing local facts, and looking after solo participants. My main caution is the pace. With six or seven stops, some visits can feel brief, and the exact wineries or farm stop may change by date.

Key Points

• A seven-stop tasting day: Expect strawberries, wine, chocolate, lunch, and an optional gin flight between about 9:00am and 5:30pm.
• Small group transport: The van carries no more than 20 people, which is more personal than a large coach tour.
• Two different gin options: Stag Lane Distillery usually operates Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, while Four Pillars is used on Tuesday and Wednesday.
• Lunch is not included: You choose and pay for your meal at Quarters restaurant at St Hubert Estate.
• The itinerary can shift: Yering Farm, St Hubert, and other winery visits may be replaced by suitable alternatives, and the cheese farm may be swapped for the strawberry farm.
• Best for broad sampling: You get many tastes in one day, but this is not the right trip if you want long, serious visits at only one or two wineries.

Meeting in Melbourne at 8:45am

Your morning begins in front of the Arts Centre Melbourne Spire on St Kilda Road. The practical meeting landmark is the Protagonist cafe stand near the front of the spire. The group aims to leave at 9:00am, so arrive early rather than trying to locate the meeting point at the last second.

The tour returns to ACMI at Federation Square, usually by 5:30pm or earlier. That central drop-off is useful if you want to continue exploring Melbourne in the evening. Hotel pickup and hotel drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the Arts Centre.

The drive out is part of the appeal. You can enjoy the countryside and have wine without worrying about driving back into the city. Some guides also point out kangaroos, eagles, and local landmarks along the way, although the amount of commentary depends on the guide and the day.

The van group is limited to 20 people. That does not mean a private tour, but it should feel easier to manage than a large bus carrying 30 or more. The social side matters here. Danny is praised for his playlists and easy conversation, while Posi and Stefan are noted for their humor and effort to keep everyone involved.

Strawberries First at Yarra Farm Fresh

The first proper stop is usually Yarra Farm Fresh, where you sample strawberries, seasonal fruit, and local jams. A small punnet of strawberries is included per booking for a limited period through February 28, 2026, subject to availability.

This is a pleasant opening because it gives you food before the wine starts. The visit lasts about 40 minutes, so you have time to taste and look around without turning it into a long farm tour. The strawberries are a simple highlight, especially when they are fresh and sweet.

The farm stop is also one reason to eat breakfast before leaving Melbourne. Lunch does not arrive until around 11:45am, and the morning includes several tastings. A light breakfast gives you a better chance of enjoying the wine without feeling unwell.

There is one important date-related detail. On some departures, the tour may visit Coldstream Dairy or another cheese producer instead of the strawberry farm. The cheese stop has been a favorite for some people, particularly when it includes a tasting and time with the farm dog Sparkles. If cheese matters more to you than fruit, confirm the planned stops before booking.

Yering Station and the First Wine Tasting

Yering Station is usually the second stop. It is the oldest winery in the Yarra Valley and one of the region’s best-known estates. The visit lasts roughly 50 minutes and gives you an introduction to the area’s cool-climate wine style.

This is a good place to begin the wine portion of the day because the estate has a strong sense of place and a polished cellar-door setting. You can expect a hosted tasting rather than simply being handed a glass and left alone. The exact wines and pour sizes may vary.

I would keep your expectations realistic. This is a group tasting with a fixed schedule, not a private appointment with a winemaker. Some people have found the winery visits a little rushed, with small pours and limited personal attention. If you want to spend an hour comparing bottles in detail, this format may feel too quick.

The guide can help shape the experience. Shaun, Danny, Posi, and Stefan have all been praised for making the day relaxed and entertaining. Their role is not only to drive, but also to keep the timetable moving and help the group understand what comes next.

Lunch and Extra Tastings at St Hubert Estate

St Hubert Estate is usually the third stop, with about an hour allocated. Lunch takes place at Quarters, the estate’s bistro restaurant, and you order and pay for your own meal.

This setup gives you useful freedom. You can choose a main course and drinks to match your appetite and budget instead of paying for a fixed meal that may not suit you. It also means the tour price is not truly all-inclusive, despite the included tasting fees. Set aside extra money for lunch.

St Hubert is also the place to consider additional wine, gin, or whisky tastings. These cost about A$15 per person and are not included. The tour’s main tastings focus on other producers, so this is optional rather than a missing part of the basic experience.

An hour sounds generous, but lunch can use most of it. If you want an extra tasting, you may need to order efficiently. This is also a good moment to visit the cellar door, wine shop, or Indigenous art gallery, but you probably cannot do all three at length while eating.

Yering Farm Wines and a Taste of Cider

Yering Farm Wines is normally the fourth stop, with around 45 minutes for tasting. The setting is described as rustic, which provides a change from the larger and more polished estates.

The tasting usually includes classic Yarra Valley wines and an apple cider. That cider is a small but useful detail for people who are not focused only on wine. It adds variety to a day already built around different local products.

Yering Farm may occasionally be unavailable because of a private event or another closure. If it is replaced, the apple cider tasting may not be included. Check the arrangements for your date if that particular stop is important to you.

The two main winery tastings can be uneven depending on your taste. Some people enjoy the settings and variety, while others feel the wines do not fully match their expectations of a Yarra Valley day. I see this as a sampling tour rather than a focused wine education. You are trying several styles and venues, not spending long enough at each place to become an expert.

Chocolate at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie

The chocolate stop is usually fifth and lasts around 45 minutes. You receive a guided tasting of up to 12 handmade chocolate creations, followed by time at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery.

This is one of the safest crowd-pleasers on the schedule. It gives non-wine drinkers something substantial to enjoy, and it breaks up the alcohol tastings with a sweet course. Families can also take part, though children aged 4 to 17 are not served alcoholic samples.

The main limitation is the commercial feel. Some people find the chocolatier noisy and less intimate than the smaller farms and wineries. That is not necessarily a problem, but you should know that this stop is designed for browsing and tasting rather than quiet conversation with a producer.

If you have a sweet tooth, the stop may become one of your favorites. If you are mainly interested in wine, it can feel like a long pause before the final gin visit. The range of up to 12 chocolates helps justify the time, especially when the weather is hot and the outdoor stops are less comfortable.

Choosing the Optional Gin Finish

The final stop depends on the day and on the full tasting option you select. On Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the tour usually visits Stag Lane Farm Distillery. On Tuesday and Wednesday, it may visit Four Pillars Distillery instead.

The gin tasting is optional, but it is a major part of the tour’s appeal. You receive a guided gin flight served with a mixer. Four Pillars has been a particular highlight for some people, while Stag Lane offers a more local distillery experience. The exact choice is controlled by the schedule, not by individual preference.

This is where the tour title can be slightly misleading. The base experience may not include the gin flight unless you select the full tasting option. Check the booking choice carefully before paying. If nobody in the group chooses the gin experience, the final stop may be extended by 15 minutes and the van may return to Melbourne earlier.

Gin follows wine, cider, lunch, and chocolate, so pace yourself. Summer can be hot and sunny, and the combination of alcohol and heat is not comfortable for everyone. Drink water, eat properly, and avoid treating every tasting as a full glass.

How Much the $93.24 Price Really Covers

At $93.24 per person, the tour offers solid value if you plan to sample several categories in one day. You receive Melbourne transport, a small-group guide, winery tastings, chocolate samples, fruit and jam tasting, and the option of a gin flight when you choose the full tasting experience.

The price becomes less attractive if you count on lunch being included. You pay separately at Quarters, and extra tastings at St Hubert cost about A$15 per person. You may also spend more at cellar doors, the chocolatier, or the farms.

Still, arranging this day independently would require a designated driver, several bookings, and careful timing. The tour removes that work. You also avoid the awkward question of who has to skip the wine. For a visitor based in Melbourne, the convenience is a meaningful part of the value.

The best comparison is not with a free day in the valley. Compare it with the cost of transport, tastings, and a full day of planning. If you want a broad introduction, the price is fair. If you want premium wine education, private attention, or a long lunch, spend more on a smaller specialist tour.

Who Will Enjoy This Day Most?

I would recommend this tour to first-time visitors to the Yarra Valley, couples and friends who want a social day, solo visitors who like meeting people, and anyone who does not want to drive after tasting wine.

It also works well for mixed groups. One person can enjoy gin, another can focus on chocolate, and someone else can sample cider or fruit. Children from 4 to 17 can join, but they will not receive alcoholic tastings.

You should think twice if you have mobility issues, especially with stairs. The tour information specifically warns that some parts of the experience are not suitable for people who have difficulty climbing stairs. Hot weather can also make the alcohol-heavy schedule tiring.

The tour is less suitable for serious wine fans who want long cellar-door conversations. Some stops feel brief, and the final schedule can change. You are buying variety and ease, not complete control.

Practical Details Before You Book

Confirm the exact itinerary for your date because winery venues can change. The strawberry farm and cheese farm are not always the same stop, and the gin distillery depends on the day of the week.

Wear comfortable clothing and prepare for sun. The tour notes that summer can be hot, and outdoor farm visits are less pleasant without sun protection. Eat breakfast before meeting the van, especially since lunch is around 11:45am and is at your own expense.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded. The tour also depends on favorable weather and a minimum number of participants. If extreme weather or low enrollment cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should You Book the Yarra Valley Tour?

Book it if you want one easy day with wine, strawberries, chocolate, cider, and optional gin. The friendly guides, central transport, small group, and broad tasting list make it a practical choice from Melbourne.

Skip it if you want a slow, wine-focused day with generous pours and long visits at a few estates. For everyone else, select the full tasting option, eat breakfast, budget for lunch, and confirm whether your date includes cheese or strawberries. That preparation turns a busy schedule into a relaxed introduction to the Yarra Valley.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at the Arts Centre Melbourne Spire, 6/2 St Kilda Road, Southbank, at 8:45am. It usually finishes at ACMI in Federation Square by 5:30pm or earlier.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. Lunch is purchased separately at Quarters restaurant at St Hubert Estate. You can choose food and drinks to suit your appetite and budget.

Is gin tasting included?

Gin tasting is included when you choose the full tasting experience option. The tour usually visits Stag Lane Distillery on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and Four Pillars Distillery on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Children aged 4 to 17 may join, but they will not be served alcoholic tastings.

Can the wineries or farm stops change?

Yes. Some venues may change, so you should contact the operator to confirm the itinerary for your preferred date. Yering Farm may also be replaced, and the apple cider tasting will not be included if the substitute winery does not offer it.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded. If poor weather or insufficient enrollment cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund.