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Our top 10 unmissable Yarra Valley experiences

Read time 4 Mins

Posted 01 Feb 2023

By
Patrick Boxall

Plan your ultimate winery weekend around these unforgettable highlights.

With over 80 vineyards comprising some 2500 hectares of vines, the Yarra Valley can be an overwhelming region to get your head around, but one that continually offers up magic when you do. Not only are there world-class wineries here, but also a plethora of incredible local businesses serving up unforgettable food, roasting coffee, making cheese and contributing in all kinds of ways to the region's stellar reputation. There are so many things to see, do and discover in the Yarra, but these are 10 of our favourites:
1. Coffee and croissants at Habituel BakeryThere's no better way to kick off your Yarra experience than with a strong coffee and flaky croissant. Habituel Bakery, which is right in the heart of Healesville, is as famous for its sourdough as the Yarra is for its wine, dishing up loads of loaves along with fruit danishes and lemon tarts. The coffee is roasted in-house, available for purchase and sure to keep you humming along from winery to winery. Just be sure to pack some Portuguese tarts for the day ahead.
2. Wine, food and art at TarraWarra Estate

TarraWarra has long been considered one of the Yarra Valley's top wineries. Conveniently located between Yarra Glen and Healesville, the estate includes an award-winning cellar door and a hatted restaurant, with the seasonal menu being sourced from local Yarra suppliers as well as what's available in the extensive kitchen garden.

When it comes to wine, the team at TarraWarra have perfected classic Yarra varietals like chardonnay and pinot noir, while also producing some really interesting barbera and a white blend of marsanne, roussanne and viognier. Our advice? Book a seated tasting then stretch your legs at the TarraWarra Museum of Art, which was established in 2003 and celebrates the best of modern contemporary art, both homegrown and international.

3. Cheese platters at the Yarra Valley DairyThis cheese factory and farm shop operates out of a century-old milking shed, offering cheeses made from the milk of local Yarra cows and goats from Mansfield. Drop by to taste a huge range of cheeses, including a Persian feta named the world's best, and pick up a few to take home or to your accommodation for the evening. If you have enough time, we recommend sitting in with one of the dairy's cheese plates, which come with a fantastic selection of local breads, meats and wines. You can also enjoy local beers and ciders as well as tea, coffee and various cakes and desserts.
4. Iconic wines and local produce at Oakridge

Since its inception in 1978, Oakridge has gone on to reach the pinnacle of Yarra Valley winemaking, with a lot of its success coming down to Dave Bicknell, the Chief Winemaker. Bicknell joined Oakridge in 2002, after a decade at De Bortoli, and set to work putting Australian wines in the international spotlight. He was named Gourmet Traveller's Winemaker of the Year in 2017 and his talents are at their inimitable best with Oakridge's 864 Series, which is sourced from single vineyard blocks and produced only in the best vintages.

The wines at Oakridge are ably supported by the on-site restaurant, which celebrates native Australian ingredients and local produce including Yeringberg lamb and homemade wagyu bresaola. Featuring a menu that changes with the seasons, the restaurant has built a reputation for sustainable and ethical dining, making it a must-try experience when visiting the Yarra.

5. Sweet treats at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice CreameryThe Yarra Valley Chocolaterie has been providing locals and visitors with chocolatey goodness since 2012 and the talented team continues to impress us every single time. Entry is free and there are 16 hectares to explore, taking in lawns, an orchard, wetlands and a sculpture park. There's a full breakfast and lunch menu available but it's the chocolate and ice cream – as you might expect – that really stands out. You can see the pastry chefs and chocolatiers ply their trade firsthand or opt for a tasting, which runs at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. There are also chocolate-making workshops, pastry tastings and high teas available to book.
6. Wines, cider and markets at Punt Road A trip to Punt Road is everything you could wish for from a wine-tasting experience. This family-owned winery incorporates one of Victoria's oldest vineyards, dating back to 1860, but its prestigious history in no way impacts the cosy, friendly atmosphere at the cellar door. High-quality examples of chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir and gamay are all on offer, as are cheese platters and a large outdoor area, while the Yarra's monthly farmer's market is held here every third Sunday. The Napoleone family, who own the winery, have been growing fruit in the Yarra for three generations and also produce Napoleone Cider, which can be sampled at the on-site Orchard Bar for the perfect palate cleanser between wines.
7. Good food and good wine at De Bortoli De Bortoli is a Yarra Valley institution, with many of the region's winemakers completing vintages here while learning their trade. There's something magical in the air and every visit proves to be a masterclass in how to run a cellar door, no small thanks to the super-knowledgeable and experienced staff behind the tasting bench. There are a number of tastings on offer, including a private gourmet tasting in the VIP room and a cheese and wine flight, as well as a fantastic restaurant focusing on authentic Italian food. Hot tip: a tasting of the Noble One Botrytis Semillon is a must, given it's one of Australia's most celebrated semillons.
8. A touch of grandeur at Yering StationIf there's one winery that encapsulates the Yarra, it may just be Yering Station. This sprawling estate is home to Victoria's first vineyard, which was planted in 1838, and has since become a regional icon. Benefitting from its top-notch location in Yarra Glen, Yering Station is definitely one of the more upper-scale Yarra wineries, boasting fantastic views of the valley, boutique accommodation and a swish restaurant that knows how to put on an Instagram-worthy spread. That said, the cellar door is always welcoming and the staff love running guests through the Yering range. Expect your Yarra favourites – chardonnay and pinot noir – along with cabernet sauvignon and a renowned shiraz-viognier blend, among others.
9. Something a little different at Payten & JonesWith a cellar door in the middle of Healesville (opposite Four Pillars Distillery), Payten & Jones do things a little differently to the Yarra's big guns. The winery is run by good mates Behn and Troy, who grew up locally and have spent years working various roles in wine and hospitality. They do an excellent job of pinot noir and chardonnay, but also dabble in syrah, verdelho, sangiovese, while a special release of mataro named 'F*CK 2020' gives an insight into their attitudes. Their wines are made with minimal intervention and promoted as being 'like seeing a live band, not listening to the recording'. Every visit to the cellar door is a memorable experience and the location can't be beaten, particularly if you're staying in Healesville.
10. A gin 'n' tonic at Four Pillars, the world's best gin distilleryThe crew at Four Pillars have played a major role in the rise of Australian craft distilling over the past decade, with their core gins picking up gold medals and awards all over the world. They're best known for their Bloody Shiraz Gin, which is made with Yarra Valley shiraz grapes, but have plenty of other styles available for tasting including Navy Strength, Sherry and Chardonnay gins. The tasting room is a seated, laidback affair either inside or in the outdoor courtyard, while masterclasses and private tours/tastings are also available. Given the distillery's location in central Healesville, this always makes for an excellent end-of-day option when you need to cleanse the palate with something other than wine, and is just a short stroll from pubs and restaurants serving dinner.
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Authour image
Patrick BoxallPatrick Boxall is a wine-loving writer based in Melbourne. His first word was 'No', and he has spent the remainder of his life attempting to remedy this poor attitude.
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Vine GuideYarra ValleyWineryVine GuideWineTravelAustralian region
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