Melbourne: Yarra Valley Food, Wine, Chocolate & Gin Tour

Good wine, big strawberries, and kangaroo spotting.

This full-day Yarra Valley outing packs a lot into eight hours: fruit tasting, three winery stops, chocolate, optional gin, country views, and a complimentary bottle of wine for each full-paying adult. I especially like the mix of food and drink, plus the way guides such as Rick, Bernie, Mel, and Melanie add local stories and humor to the drive.

I also like the easy Melbourne pickup at Federation Square and the generous range of tastings for $91. The main catch is that lunch is not included in the base price, and the minibus has drawn some criticism for feeling tired and offering little space for purchases.

Key points to know before booking

• Three wineries in one day: St Hubert’s, Tokar Estate, and Rochford Wines each offer a different style of visit.
• A bottle comes home with you: Every full-paying adult receives one bottle of wine at St Hubert’s.
• Lunch costs extra: You can upgrade to a gourmet lunch with wine for $50, or order from the restaurant menu for about $25 to $45.
• The chocolate stop includes 12 tastings: You also get time to shop at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie.
• The guide shapes the day: Rick, Bernie, Mel, and Melanie have been praised for humor, local knowledge, safe driving, and helpful service.
• Expect a busy schedule: The tour runs rain or shine, requires at least four people, and is not suitable for children under 14 or wheelchair users.

Why this Yarra Valley day trip works

The Yarra Valley is close enough to Melbourne for a day trip, but far enough away to feel like a proper country escape. The drive takes about an hour each way, and the route passes historic towns, farmland, vineyards, and possible wildlife sightings.

I like that this is not only a wine tour. You begin with local fruit, move through several wine estates, stop for lunch and optional gin, then finish with chocolate. That variety matters. Even if one particular wine is not your style, the day keeps offering something different.

The tour also gives you a guide rather than leaving you to work out the region alone. Guides have shared facts about Melbourne, the Yarra Valley, local winemaking, and the history of the area during the drive. Their personality seems to be a major part of the experience, with Rick and Bernie often praised for humor and energy, while Mel and Melanie have been described as warm, clear, and attentive.

The schedule is full, though. You are not spending a lazy afternoon at one vineyard. You will be on and off the minibus several times, with short tasting sessions and set departure times. That is a good trade for variety, but not ideal if you want long, quiet visits at each estate.

Meeting in central Melbourne at Federation Square

The meeting point is opposite the Forum Theatre, in front of the Federation Square entrance, at the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. The bus is identified as Rick’s Wine Tours bus, and the stated arrival time is 8:15 AM for an 8:30 AM departure.

This location works well if you are staying in central Melbourne. You avoid a long transfer to an outer suburb, and the tour finishes at the same central point around 4:45 PM.

Take the pickup details seriously. One departure had a passenger waiting at the wrong spot, and the guide drove around to help locate them. That was generous, but you should still arrive early and confirm the exact meeting position before departure. City construction can also affect pickup arrangements.

Transport is comfortable enough for a day in the valley, but expectations should be realistic. Some passengers found the minibus old or uncomfortable, and one noted limited room for bottles and other purchases. If you plan to buy wine, chocolate, fruit, or gin, bring a small soft bag rather than counting on generous luggage space.

Yarra Farm Fresh starts the day with fruit

The first stop, Yarra Farm Fresh, takes place at about 9:30 AM and lasts roughly 25 minutes. You receive a guided tasting of local fruit, with strawberries and other fresh produce often drawing attention.

This is a smart opening. Wine tasting first thing in the morning can feel a little abrupt, while fruit gives you something fresh and light before the cellar doors. The farm stop may also include locally made jam, chutney, or spreads. Several tasting details point to especially good peaches, strawberries, and a tomato spread.

Do not think of this as a long farm visit. It is a short tasting stop, not a full agricultural tour. You will have time to sample and possibly shop, but the main purpose is to introduce you to Yarra Valley produce before the wine begins.

St Hubert’s combines wine, art, and a free bottle

At around 10:15 AM, the group reaches St Hubert’s Cellar Door for a guided tasting of four wines. The tasting is led by cellar door staff, and you can also explore the grounds and an Indigenous art gallery.

This is one of the more polished stops on the route. The setting has a prestige feel, and the art gallery gives you something to see beyond the tasting counter. You can also sample more wines at the Notes Wine Store, which is included in the visit.

The practical prize is the complimentary bottle of wine for each full-paying adult. It is an important part of the tour’s value, especially at a $91 starting price. The exact bottle or style may vary, so treat it as a pleasant take-home bonus rather than choosing the tour for a specific vintage.

You spend about 45 minutes here. That is enough for the four-wine tasting and a quick look around, but you may need to keep moving if you want to see both the gallery and additional wine options.

Tokar Estate offers a smaller boutique stop

The next winery is Tokar Estate, with a guided tasting of three handcrafted wines. The stop lasts about 30 minutes.

Compared with St Hubert’s, Tokar gives the day a more boutique feel. Three wines may sound modest, but the shorter visit keeps the schedule moving and gives you another point of comparison. You can consider how a smaller estate presents its wines after seeing the larger cellar door experience at St Hubert’s.

The pace is brisk. This is not a long vineyard walk or a relaxed bottle-by-bottle lesson. It is a focused tasting stop, useful for comparing producers without spending the whole day in one room.

Rochford Wines brings wine, lunch, and optional gin

Rochford Wines is the longest stop and the day’s main food break. The schedule allows a 30-minute guided wine tasting, followed by about 75 minutes for lunch and free time. A later 30-minute tasting period is also listed, giving you time to continue exploring.

This is where the tour’s food and drink mix comes together. You can have lunch at the estate, browse, and add an optional gin tasting for $25 per person. Cheese and dessert wine have also featured in the food and drink experience here.

The important budget point is that lunch is not included in the $91 tour price. You have two stated options:

• Upgrade on the day to a gourmet lunch with a glass of wine for $50 per person.
• Order from the restaurant menu, with a suggested budget of $25 to $45 per person.

No BYO lunch is allowed. The gourmet upgrade can make sense if you want the simplest option and a matched glass of wine. Ordering from the menu gives you more control over the price, but you need to budget for it before booking.

The quality of lunch has received strong praise, but one useful criticism is that diners may not always get to choose between the available restaurant locations, including Isabella’s and Il Vigneto. If the dining venue matters to you, ask the guide what is operating that day.

Gin is also optional, not part of the base fare. At $25, it is worth adding only if you are genuinely interested in local spirits. You already receive plenty of wine during the day, so nobody needs to feel pressured to add another tasting.

The Yarra Valley Chocolaterie finishes on a sweet note

The final major stop arrives around 2:30 PM at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie. The guided tasting includes 12 artisan chocolates, followed by about 30 minutes for shopping.

Twelve samples give this stop real substance rather than making it a quick free sample at a shop counter. You can compare different flavors, then buy chocolates to take home. It is also a welcome change after several wine tastings.

The setting and format can vary in how easy it is to hear the explanation. One passenger found the tasting took place in the main shop and that the presentation was difficult to hear. If the room is busy, move closer to the guide before the tasting begins.

The chocolate stop is not a long factory tour. It is a tasting and shopping visit, which suits anyone who wants a sweet finish but may disappoint you if you expect to see chocolate production in detail.

Wildlife and country views come between the stops

Some of the best moments may happen from the bus. The route includes historic towns and country scenery, with possible kangaroo and Australian wildlife sightings.

These sightings are not guaranteed, and they are not a dedicated wildlife activity. Still, guides have made an effort to point out kangaroos, including stopping or taking a short side route when conditions allowed. Keep your eyes open during the drive, especially on the return journey.

The guide’s commentary adds value here. You hear about Melbourne and the Yarra Valley while someone else handles the road, rather than simply watching the scenery pass in silence. The route also gives you a useful first look at the region if you are considering returning for a longer stay.

How much value do you get for $91?

At $91 per person, the price is strong for the amount included. You receive transport from central Melbourne, three winery visits, all listed wine tastings, fruit tasting, chocolate tasting, a visit to the Yarra Valley produce area, a guide, and one bottle of wine to take home.

Lunch changes the final cost. With the $50 gourmet upgrade, the day reaches $141 before any gin tasting. With a $25 to $45 restaurant meal, your total becomes about $116 to $136. Add gin and the full day can cost between $141 and $166, depending on your lunch choice.

That still compares well with arranging separate transport and tastings yourself. The bottle of wine alone helps soften the cost, while the central pickup saves you from organizing a rental car or private driver.

The value is best for you if you want variety and convenience. It is less compelling if you plan to buy many bottles, need a roomy vehicle, or prefer choosing every tasting and meal independently.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

This tour suits adults who want a social, guided day outside Melbourne. It works particularly well for couples, solo visitors, small groups, and food lovers who want more than wine.

You should book it if:

• You want three wineries without driving.
• You enjoy fruit, chocolate, wine, and optional gin.
• You like guides who tell stories and keep the mood light.
• You want a central Melbourne pickup.
• You are happy with a full schedule and shared minibus.

You may want another option if you prefer a quiet luxury wine day, a private vehicle, extended time at one estate, or a fully included lunch. The tour is also not suitable for children under 14 or wheelchair users.

It runs rain or shine and requires at least four people to operate. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later.

Final verdict: book it for variety and personality

I would recommend this tour to anyone with one free day in Melbourne who wants an easy introduction to the Yarra Valley. The combination of three wineries, fruit, chocolate, country scenery, and possible kangaroos gives you a broad taste of the region without the burden of driving.

The strongest reasons to book are the central pickup, the complimentary bottle, and the guides’ lively local commentary. Rick, Bernie, Mel, and Melanie have all been praised for making the day fun as well as informative.

Just budget separately for lunch and optional gin, and do not expect a spacious new minibus. If those points are acceptable, this is a well-priced, good-humored way to see the valley and return to Melbourne with wine and chocolate in your bag.

FAQ

How long does the Yarra Valley tour last?

The tour lasts about eight hours. It departs Melbourne at approximately 8:30 AM and returns to the Ian Potter Centre area around 4:45 PM.

Where does the tour meet in Melbourne?

Meet opposite the Forum Theatre, in front of the Federation Square entrance at the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. Look for the Rick’s Wine Tours bus.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. Lunch is not included in the $91 base price. You can upgrade to a gourmet lunch with a glass of wine for $50 per person or order from the restaurant menu for about $25 to $45 per person.

Can I bring my own lunch?

No. BYO lunch is not allowed at Rochford Wines.

How many wineries does the tour visit?

The tour visits three wineries: St Hubert’s Estate, Tokar Estate, and Rochford Wines.

Do I receive a bottle of wine?

Yes. Each full-paying adult receives one bottle of wine to take home.

Is gin tasting included?

No. Gin tasting at Rochford Wines is optional and costs $25 per person.

How many chocolates are included in the tasting?

The guided chocolate tasting includes 12 artisan chocolates at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie.

Is the tour suitable for children?

No. The tour is not suitable for children under 14.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.