With the help of this cellar door guide to one of Australia’s most well-known cold climate wine regions, you can start organizing your next trip to the Yarra Valley wines region, including which wineries to visit, where to eat, and where to stay.
From Melbourne’s central business district, it takes just one hour to reach the stunning Yarra Valley wines region, where you’ll find an almost unlimited array of fine wineries, cellar doors, dining options, and thrilling activities to discover and enjoy.
The Yarra Valley wines region is home to more than 50 wineries and is the original wine district of Victoria. It has a variety of terroir and can create a large selection of traditional wine varieties, but it is especially well-known for its Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Sparkling, and inventive savoury Rosé. Our Yarra Valley wines region guide is where you can learn more about the wines that are available.
We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite wineries that offer fantastic cellar door experiences, as well as some excellent things to do and places to stay, to help you make the most of your visit in this magnificent cool climate region. Enjoy!
ROCHFORD WINES
Rochford Wines is the epitome of a must-visit Yarra Valley location and is known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The vineyard and winery, which is situated in serene and picturesque surroundings, includes the highly regarded Isabella’s Restaurant, cellar door, and shop, in addition to other specially constructed facilities such as a conservatory, a pavilion, an amphitheatre, and a lakeside deck to accommodate wonderful outdoor concerts, summer food and wine festivals, and a variety of other functions and events.
A true representation of the area, its outstanding wines are best enjoyed during an estate wine tasting at the luxurious cellar door.
OAKRIDGE WINES
Although the Oakridge’s winery and vineyards were founded in 1978, their modern cellar door didn’t open until 2013. The remarkable, architect-designed building stands out against the surrounding vines with its sleek industrial lines.
Enter to taste a wonderful selection of award-winning wines, such as Pinot Gris, Semillon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Cabernet, and more. Treat yourself to lunch at Oakridge’s one-hatted restaurant where chefs Matt Stone and Jo Barrett prepare seasonal dishes using fresh items from the kitchen garden as well as wild foods they find when out foraging and fishing in the area.
COOMBE FARM
The historic Melba House, built in 1912 by renowned opera singer Dame Nellie Melba, is home to the charming Coombe Farm cellar entrance. “Coombe Farm is a magnificent winery and a destination with a genuine sense of history,” says Trent Mannell, member of the Tasting Panel and judge for the wine competition.
Don’t miss the Melba Gallery, wonderful restaurant, and exquisite gardens. Melba’s Morning Tea is offered starting at 9:30am on Saturdays and Sundays, and from June through August, a special high tea experience is offered every Wednesday and Saturday at 2:30pm. The estate-grown, small-batch wines are delicately evocative of their varietal and geographic origins.
SOUMAH
The Soumah cellar door offers not only a superb tasting experience but also breathtaking views of the vineyards and the neighboring Warramate Hills. It is situated down a small road in the dress circle of the Warramate foothills.
According to Brett Butcher, director of Soumah, “our goal at Soumah is on crafting wine with the charm of Northern Italy, but with the provenance of the spectacular Yarra Valley.” “Our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are our best-known products, but we’re also earning recognition for our Viognier and Syrah, as well as our love of Northern Italian grape varietals including Nebbiolo, Brachetto, Pinot Grigio, and Savarro” (Savagnin).
In addition to its informal tastings, Somuah offers six special samples in its premium wine rooms, which are drawn from its reserve quality, limited production, and museum release wines. Their restaurant, Trattoria d’Soumah, serves superb Northern Italian fare like antipasti, pasta, wood-fired pizza, cheese, and dessert every day of the week. On Saturdays and Sundays, there are also more alternatives available.
DOMAINE CHANDON
The joy of Domaine Chandon should be experienced by every lover of Australian sparkling wine. Leading Champagne firm Moet & Chandon founded Domaine Chandon in the middle of the 1980s, believing that the Yarra Valley was the best place to grow the cool climate Sparkling grape varieties Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.
The beautiful cellar door and winery combines contemporary Australian design with traditional Champagne architecture. The restaurant overlooking their Green Point vineyard, colonnade wall, and vast 72,000 bottle climate-controlled riddling hall are all of the highest caliber. The wines, particularly the Chandon Brut, which won Best Australian Sparkling Wine at the 2018 Champagne & Sparkling Wines World Championships, are of course also excellent.
Visitors to the winery can explore the entire winemaking process up close in the roomy winery, barrel, and riddling halls, all of which include educational interactive guides.
GIANT STEPS
Change is nothing new for Giant Steps. Innocent Bystander has built a pop-up cellar door experience just down the road from its regular Healesville digs in response to the challenges of the COVID era. The two labels are now entirely independent of one another.
The tasting room for Giant Steps wines is now on the mezzanine floor of Habituel Bakers and Coffee Roasters. Giant Steps’ own temperature-controlled barrel hall has been used to keep these single-vineyard, limited-edition wines, which showcase the wine’s potential durability.
The cellar door is advertised as a pop-up, but it is undoubtedly more equipped than that would imply! It’s well worth a visit to sample some of the best wines being made anywhere in the Yarra Valley wines region. It’s modern, elegant, and laid back.
DOMINIQUE PORTET
You can sample wines created by Dominique Portet, a 9th generation winemaker, and his son Ben, a 10th generation winemaker, when you visit the stunning Dominique Portet Winery.
Their cellar door is quite attractive and features a terrace cafe with views of the gently sloping vines. Enjoy their outstanding Rosé, Sparkling, Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon while taking some time to sit back and unwind.
The winery’s Bordeaux heritage is most apparent at the Bistro, where guests can taste delicious French family favorites right in the middle of the Yarra Valley wines region.
ROB DOLAN WINES
Rob Dolan, a Yarra Valley winemaking veteran of more than 25 years, started his label in 2010 and was named the James Halliday Best New Winery in 2014. Rob’s farmhouse cellar door combines inviting areas where you may sample his fine wines as well as the delectable Stone & Crow cheeses that creator and cheesemaker Jack Holman matures at the property.
Take part in a guided tasting with a Rob Dolan Wine Specialist or enjoy a buffet of regional foods like pâté, terrine, olives, and a superb selection of Rob Dolan pickles, pastes, relishes, and jellies. The lovely cellar door in Warrandyte, which is only 30 minutes from Melbourne’s central business district, is the ideal place to begin or end any trip to the Yarra Valley wines region.
DE BORTOLI YARRA VALLEY ESTATE
De Bortoli Wines, one of Australia’s most recognizable wine companies, was founded in 1928 in Griffith, New South Wales by Italian immigrant Vittorio De Bortoli. He never even dared to dream that he would build an Australian winemaking empire.
The Yarra Valley vineyard was founded in 1987 and is the offspring of third generation Leanne De Bortoli and her husband, top winemaker Steve Webber. Excellent wines have been made at the vineyard, and De Bortoli won the prestigious Jimmy Watson Trophy in 1997.
The cellar door is situated in a beautiful area with grapes growing in all directions. De Bortoli is a very pleasant winery to visit due to their extensive wine selection and the pairing of wine and cheese. De Bortoli’s exceptional cool climate Yarra Valley wines and those from their other locations go beautifully with the wide variety of local and imported cheeses offered in this welcoming cellar door.
The Locale Restaurant, located upstairs, offers a genuine Italian dining experience. The menu highlights the freshest seasonal ingredients from the area and includes vegetables from the restaurant’s garden, homemade pasta, and mouthwatering real Italian risotto.
YERING STATION
A trip to Yering Station is a must for any trip to the Yarra Valley. This vineyard is a destination unto itself, featuring an outstanding restaurant and bar constructed by an amazing architect, a vintage cellar door, an art gallery, an underground barrel room, and a local produce store, all set on gorgeous grounds.
The original winery, which now serves as the cellar door and gallery, was the first vineyard in Victoria to be planted, and it preserves that history. The outstanding selection of wines—including Chardonnay, Rosé, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, and of course Sparkling wines—created by senior winemaker Brendan Hawker and his talented staff are available for tasting in a welcoming and lovely setting.
Yering Station’s hallmark restaurant, housed in spectacular architecture, offers expansive vistas of the Yarra Ranges and a menu that highlights the best produce the Yarra Valley has to offer while highlighting small, local growers and adhering to the station’s philosophy of understated elegance.
TARRAWARRA ESTATE
The breathtaking TarraWarra Estate cellar door is a remarkable architectural creation that is carved out of the ground of the vineyards’ undulating hillside and offers a location to taste their top-shelf wines. The acclaimed restaurant, run by executive chef Mark Ebbels and serving delectable food inspired by the estate’s kitchen garden, further establishes TarraWarra as a premier Yarra Valley vineyard experience.
YERING FARM
Yering Farm, which is owned and run by Alan and Vicki Johns, is situated on the original site of the Yeringa Vineyards, which belonged to the Deschamps family in the 1800s. The 30-acre vineyard was replanted starting in 1989 after the land was revived in 1980 by the Johns family, who are fifth generation orchardists.
The rustic cellar door is adorned with the original Yeringa Vineyard sign, and the entire property exudes charm and offers spectacular views of the Yarra Valley. Yering Farm produces all of its wines on-site using fruit that is grown on the property, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Enjoy a taste and a Yering Farm “Pruner’s Platter” in front of the fire or on the spacious porch while admiring the breathtaking scenery.
Additionally, you are welcome to bring your own picnic or pay a modest fee to use the BBQ facilities. Reservations are required. Alternatively, you can spend the night at the lavishly furnished The George Homestead, a self-contained farmhouse situated on the property.
PUNT ROAD WINES
You can taste a wonderful range of single vineyard, estate-grown wines at the Punt Road Wines cellar door. Particularly outstanding wines include the Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, and Chardonnay. Get to know their staff over a cheese plate, a sip of wine, or a full wine flight, and discover why they spend every day here.
As an alternative, you may play a game of bocce or unwind on the rear garden lawn while enjoying a Gundowring ice cream. Adam Walls, a co-chair of the tasting panel, enjoys going to the Punt Road cellar door. The atmosphere is so cozy and welcoming, and the wine and cider options are of excellent quality.
YARRA YERING
After being established in 1969 by the good doctor Bailey Carrodus, who was also influenced by his studies in horticulture and winemaking as well as the wines he tasted while studying philosophy at Oxford University, Yarra Yering swiftly established a reputation for excellence.
After Dr. Carrodus passed away in 2008, two businessmen who were both huge fans bought the winery and its vineyards, and they have continued to care for the renowned vineyard using the same guiding principles. In a charming setting steeped in Australian wine heritage, the Yarra Yering Cellar Door is housed in Dr. Carrodus’ residence and is tucked away among the vineyards.
Visitors can select from a variety of sample flights at the Yarra Yering Homestead, which is situated among the vines and offers breathtaking views of the Yarra Valley, and stay a night or two at the establishment, which was named Best Small Cellar Door by Gourmet Wine Traveller in 2017 and 2020.
TOOLANGI
Toolangi has established itself as a unique location for producing grapes, particularly Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Shiraz. It is protected by the Toolangi State Forest on one side in the northern Yarra Valley region of Dixons Creek. It was initially planted in 1995 and rapidly become a winery to watch.
Toolangi was acquired in 2017 by Helmut Konecsny, the owner and CEO of Rochford, and is now regarded as a sister vineyard to that illustrious winery. Toolangi also has a permanent cellar door on the grounds of the Rochford Estate at the il Vigneto Pizzeria, which is the ideal place to sit and sample a glass or two while admiring the scenery from the deck!
HELEN’S HILL
Helen’s Hill, established in 1997 by the Nalder and McIntosh families, is the realization of a goal shared by two farming families with a strong ancestry in wine. This single vineyard farm, located in the Coldstream neighborhood of the Yarra Valley, produces two quite different wine labels, Helen’s Hill and the drink-now wines of Ingram Road. Their cellar door keeps things straightforward but appropriately decadent, offering samples from both ranges along with shared meals made from locally sourced ingredients that you can enjoy while looking out over the vines from the deck.
If you are in Deepdene, Victoria 3103, and looking for a winery tour to Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula, this is the best way to visit us.
Winery Tour Yarra Valley
Unit 201/98 River Esplanade
Docklands, VIC 3008
(03) 7042 3201