Just an hour’s drive from Melbourne lies Yarra Valley’s wine and food region of exceptional gourmet produce and wines. Linger over long lunches at stylish winery restaurants or ‘hatted’ cafes while overlooking rolling hills and endless vineyards of this picturesque region.
Discover Yarra Valley’s local artisan producers and their delicious cheeses, chocolates and jams at market stalls. Or discover its rich cultural heritage through traditional performances or indigenous art exhibitions.
Yarra Valley Wine and Food Festival
The Yarra Valley Wine and Food Festival is an annual event in Australia’s picturesque Yarra Valley region that showcases all things gourmet and vinous. During this annual festival, there is an impressive range of events and experiences designed to highlight its exceptional produce while teaching you more about wine-making techniques and uncovering hidden gems for your collection.
Wine and food enthusiasts should attend this festival for an unforgettable gastronomic journey, from fine dining experiences to rustic local cafes and farm gates. Take part in any number of exciting activities ranging from sampling dishes prepared by top chefs to sampling gourmet burgers from one of many food stalls!
Attend events and workshops hosted by passionate winemakers to learn the various processes behind wine-making, meet passionate winemakers, and experience their wine-making techniques first-hand. Yarra Valley vineyards have long set an international benchmark for premium cool climate wines; tour their cellar doors to gain more knowledge about their special terroir and tradition that make these wines so distinctive.
Yarra Valley boasts an expansive culture for you to discover. Enjoy traditional performances and educational activities; even visit Nellie Melba’s estate and now museum at Coombe!
Shedfest provides the perfect way to experience the Yarra Valley. Over two days of Shedfest, twelve family-owned cellar doors and sheds of the Yarra Valley open their cellar doors and sheds to wine enthusiasts who can take part in tasting their wines while sampling carefully-selected nibbles accompanied by live music performances.
Shedfest 2016 takes place two weekends after Daylight Savings begins, providing ample daylight hours. Yarra Valley wineries have made it easier than ever to find your favourite drop with themed lanes such as Sparkling Lane, Chardonnay Lane, Pinot Noir Lane and Local Beer & Cider Lane.
The Yarra Valley is an idyllic destination for food and wine enthusiasts, boasting stunning surroundings and varied offerings. Just an hour’s drive from Melbourne, its spectacular setting will satisfy your culinary desires – so book your Yarra Valley escape today to experience some of Australia’s finest wines and cuisine!
The Yarra Valley Wineries
Yarra Valley is home to numerous iconic and world-class wineries that stand as testaments to the union between nature’s bounty and human craftsmanship. Amidst rolling hills and vineyard-clad landscapes, this region is famed for its cool climate wines. Our list of the top wineries in Yarra Valley features everything from family owned vineyards to contemporary estates – boasting an eclectic array of artisanal styles which continue to enthrall wine enthusiasts worldwide.
Swiss immigrants founded the first Yarra Valley winery in the 1860s, followed by Hubert de Castella’s establishment of St. Huberts and Yeringberg Vineyard by Dame Nellie Melba’s father – two pioneering wineries which earned them high regard in Europe and Australia at great exhibitions at that time. Unfortunately economic factors and changing tastes eventually forced their closure when vineyards were taken down and replaced with dairy farming operations in 1921.
Today, Yarra Valley is once more an impressive wine region with over 40 wineries and 85 vineyards owned by wineries producing an array of premium white and red table wines. Some of the finest Yarra Valley wines come from grape varieties that were not as widely planted previously, such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay as well as international varieties like Nebbiolo, Sangiovese and Tempranillo.
The Yarra Valley is widely recognized for its cool-climate sparkling wines and roses. These sparkling wines feature delicate aromas with fresh acidity to pair perfectly with a variety of foods. The Yarra Valley lies to the outskirts of Melbourne and hosts many wineries and vineyards in Healesville, Yarra Glen Coldstream Lilydale. Visit these wineries for a memorable tasting experience, often offering breathtaking views over elms, oaks and the peaceful scenery of Yarra Valley. Perhaps even meet one of their winemakers or vigneron’s who will discuss their latest harvest – it is here that you will gain a true insight into why Yarra Valley is an unparalleled environment to grow and produce wine!
Yarra Valley Restaurants
The Yarra Valley boasts charming cottages to sprawling estates dotted with exceptional restaurants. Renowned for world-class wines as well as fine dining establishments, it is a day trip from Melbourne that makes an excellent destination for wine enthusiasts looking to experience its beauty first hand.
It makes perfect sense that Yarra Valley restaurants are typically housed in converted stables and barns, given that this region was Australia’s first to establish cool climate vineyards. Its cooler than average temperatures ensure an extended growing season and excellent fruit quality, yielding premium chardonnays and pinot noirs that pair beautifully with dishes from both Australian and international kitchens.
Coombe Yarra Valley is a restaurant, boutique cellar door and private event venue situated within the grounds of former Australian opera singer Dame Nellie Melba’s former home in Yarra Valley. Offering contemporary Italian cuisine and with an emphasis on sustainable food production – they make their own sourdough bread, pasta and sauces in-house – this menu changes regularly so diners can look forward to new flavours alongside old favourites.
The Barn at Stones of the Yarra Valley provides spectacular floor-to-ceiling views across 200 acres of vines towards the blue-tinged Great Dividing Range, making it a prime spot for weekend lunches, intimate wedding celebrations and stunning private events. As one of two restaurants at the Stones estate – along with The Stables which sits amongst heritage listed barn ruins with rough-hewn timbers and red brick walls – The Barn offers plenty of opportunities for relaxed gatherings!
At both The Barn and The Stables, diners can experience the Chef’s Table menu with wines handpicked by a sommelier, served alongside fine cuisine. Cheese lovers should visit De Bortoli Winery – the first Yarra Valley winery producing an array of artisanal cheeses – its on-site cheese shop has something suitable for every palate and cheese enthusiasts can join a cheese and wine tour to learn more about their craft!
Yarra Valley Accommodation
Luxury winery retreats and chateaux, recycled trams, mud brick B&Bs and yurts abound in the Yarra Valley; plus recycled trams, mud brick B&Bs and yurts provide appealing options to stay for any traveller’s stay. Whatever the occasion – romantic weekend for two, or group gathering – premium accommodation exists that fits both budgets and styles perfectly!
Stones of the Yarra Valley is one of the premier vineyard accommodation venues, providing breathtaking vineyard views while providing luxurious accommodation on one of the region’s most stunning properties with uninterrupted vistas of vines and Great Dividing Range beyond. Perfect for spending a relaxing and enjoyable weekend retreat!
Stay at the iconic Chateau Yering Hotel, established in 1888 and listed with the National Trust, to experience all that the Yarra Valley has to offer. Enjoy its heritage gardens, cafe and restaurant – each designed specifically to showcase local produce – during your stay at this grand landmark hotel.
Hotel Eleonore boasts 32 luxurious suites and is home to Eleonore’s Restaurant – its menu draws inspiration from locally available ingredients while using innovative cooking techniques to highlight their freshness.
If travelling with family, the Yarra Valley offers numerous family-friendly accommodation options – such as Big4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park which features activities to keep kids occupied as well as plenty of space to spread out and unwind.
Yarra Valley accommodation options provide something to meet all budgets and tastes, making planning your wine-country escape easier than ever. So sit back with a glass of Yarra Valley wine, relax, and start planning for your dream escape!