Yarra Valley Food Wine and Gin Tour Departing From Melbourne

Chocolate and wine, with a gin twist.

This full-day outing in the Yarra Valley turns Melbourne city streets into rolling ranges, then stacks the day with guided tastings and a proper sweet finish.

I love how the tour gives you multiple tasting stops without you hunting for reservations: fruit first, then wine at two cellar-door experiences, plus a chocolate tasting at the end. I also love the payoff at the last stop, where you get a guided chocolate tasting featuring 12 uniquely Australian chocolates along with the show-and-taste experience.

One thing to consider: the day is packed, so if you want lots of extra wandering time at each place, you might feel the schedule is moving.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Modern, air-conditioned transport makes the long day comfortable from start to finish
• Wine tastings are included at the winery stops, with a take-home bottle from Hubert Estate
• Strawberries and local fruit kick off the tastings before you hit the wineries
• Rochford Estate lunch pairs well with the guided wine tasting there
• Gin tasting is optional at Rochford for an extra $25 (tasting 4 gins)
• Chocolaterie and ice cream end the day with 12 Australian chocolates to sample

A Solid Melbourne-to-Yarra Day: Timing and What’s Included

This is an 8-hour-style day trip that starts at 8:15 am and ends back where you began, so it’s built for people who want a full countryside experience without figuring out transport. The price is $82.48 per person, and the way it’s structured is the key to the value.

You’re not just buying a bus ride. You’re getting guided tastings, bottled water, snacks, and multiple chances to taste (wine plus chocolate), and you even get a complimentary bottle of wine from one stop for people aged 18+. That’s the big reason this feels like more than a basic day out.

From Federation Square to Scenic Ranges in One Ride

You meet at the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia area at Federation Square (Flinders St and Russell St). It’s a very practical starting point if you’re staying in central Melbourne, and you don’t need a complicated transfer plan.

Once you’re on the road, the day shifts into sightseeing mode. You’ll ride out past Melbourne suburbs and along the Yarra and Dandenong ranges, with informative commentary during the drive. In the morning, that matters because you’re not just arriving hungry—you’re also getting the lay of the land for what you’re about to taste.

Yarra Farm Fresh: Strawberry Fruit Tasting First

The day begins at Yarra Farm Fresh with a guided fruit tasting. The highlight here is local fruit, including strawberries, and the stop is short enough (about 25 minutes) that you get variety without losing your whole morning.

This is also the kind of tasting that sets you up for the rest of the day. Fruit doesn’t overload your palate the way sweets can, so by the time you start wine tasting, your taste buds are awake and ready. Some groups also pick up samples of homemade-style items like jam and other small specialties during this fruit stop, which makes it feel less like a quick photo stop.

Hubert Estate Wine Tasting: 4 Samples and a Take-Home Bottle

Next up is Hubert Estate. Here you do an informative wine tasting that includes samples of 4 distinctly Yarra Valley wines. This is a classic cellar-door setup: guided pours, a chance to compare styles, and enough structure to help you notice differences rather than just tasting blindly.

The standout detail is the take-home reward: you receive a complimentary bottle of wine to take home, with the +18 age rule applied. Even if you’re not buying extra at the end, this is the kind of included bonus that makes the tour cost feel more reasonable.

Rochford Wines Yarra Valley: Lunch, Wine, and Optional Gin

Rochford Wines Yarra Valley is both a serious winery and a fun lunch stop. It’s award-winning, and it’s known for hosting major musical acts, which adds a little extra atmosphere to the cellar experience.

At Rochford, you’ll get a guided wine tasting and then lunch on-site. Lunch itself can be an upgrade day-of, with options described as a gourmet winery lunch that includes a glass of wine or an a la carte menu depending on what you choose. Either way, this is the point in the day where you’ll want to pace yourself—wine tasting earlier, then food, then more tastings and chocolate ahead.

The gin tasting note (read this before you arrive)

Gin is not automatically included. There’s an opt-in gin tasting at Rochford for $25, tasting 4 gins. If gin is your thing, this is an easy add-on since you’re already in the right place. If you’re more of a wine person, you can save the extra cost and focus on the included wine tasting and lunch.

Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery: The Sweet Finale

The last stop is where your day turns into dessert tourism. At the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery, you’ll see expert chocolate chefs preparing the chocolate, then you’ll enjoy a guided chocolate tasting.

You’ll sample 12 uniquely Australian chocolates, which is exactly what you want at the end of a wine day. It gives you variety without needing you to guess what to order, and it’s the sort of tasting that’s fun even if you’re not a serious chocolate nerd.

You’ll also get the ice cream experience as part of the stop, so the day ends on something cool and playful. By then, most people are ready for that sugar-and-cream reset after all the wine pours.

Value Check: Why This Tour Can Feel Worth $82.48

Let’s talk value in real terms. This tour includes wine tastings at the key winery stops plus fruit tasting and snacks, and it provides bottled water. That means a big chunk of your spending is already covered before you even sit down for lunch.

The complimentary bottle of wine from Hubert Estate is also a strong included incentive. Even if you only drink one bottle later at home, it turns the purchase part of the day into something you’re not forced into doing during the tour.

Where cost can creep in:

• Lunch may involve choosing an upgrade or paying for an a la carte option depending on what you want
• Gin tasting at Rochford is an extra $25 for 4 gins
• Any wine or chocolate you buy on the day is, of course, extra

The Pace and the People: Small Group Energy Up to 20

You’ll be in a modern vehicle with air-conditioning, and the group size max is 20 people. That’s not tiny, but it’s small enough that the day usually feels structured rather than chaotic.

The guide style is a big part of the experience, and the names people often mention include Bernie, Melanie, Rick, and Victor. You’ll typically get informative commentary during the drive and a guided hand at each tasting so you know what you’re looking for.

One possible drawback: because the day includes several timed tastings plus lunch plus the chocolate finish, the schedule can feel full. Some people love this pace because it keeps things moving and gives you variety, but if you prefer lots of extra breathing room at each stop, you may want to treat this more like a guided program than a slow roam.

How to Enjoy the Day Without Overdoing It

This is a “taste-and-compare” day, so go in with a small game plan.

• Eat before you leave the hotel. The tour includes snacks, but you’ll enjoy the fruit tasting more if you’re not starting empty.
• Sip, don’t chug. You’ve got several wine moments plus chocolate at the end, and pacing makes the sweetness taste better instead of cloying.
• If you do the gin tasting, decide in advance. Gin is optional and costs extra ($25), so you’ll have a better time if you know you want that flavor track.
• Bring something simple for comfort: sunglasses and a light layer help since you’ll be out and about across different areas.

If you’re picking up a take-home bottle, also think about safe packing. You’ll want it protected for the rest of your day and any travel after you get back to Melbourne.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This tour is great if you want a classic Yarra Valley day that’s organized, scenic, and food-forward. It also fits well if you’re short on time in Melbourne and want to avoid the stress of driving yourself.

It’s a smart match for:

• Couples and small groups who like guided tastings
• People who want wine plus a distinct chocolate stop
• First-time Yarra Valley visitors who want the scenery included, not just the cellar doors
• Anyone open to an optional gin tasting add-on at Rochford

If you’re the type who hates set schedules and prefers to linger, this might feel a bit structured. Still, the included tastings make the trade-off pretty clear.

Should You Book This Yarra Valley Food, Wine and Gin Tour?

I’d book it if you want an easy, well-organized day with fruit, guided wine tastings, a take-home bottle, and a chocolate-and-ice-cream finale. The biggest selling points are that you don’t have to plan tastings yourself, and the included tastings do a lot of the work for you.

I would hesitate only if you strongly prefer unhurried sightseeing at each stop. The day is designed to pack in variety, so it’s best for people who like a plan and enjoy hopping from one tasting experience to the next.

If that sounds like your style, this is an excellent use of a Melbourne day—one where you leave with good memories, fuller taste buds, and likely a bottle in hand.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour runs about 8 hours.

What is the meeting point?

It departs from the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square (Flinders St and Russell St), Melbourne.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 8:15 am.

Where does the tour end?

It ends back at the meeting point.

What’s included in the price?

Wine tastings are included, along with bottled water and snacks, plus a guided fruit tasting that includes strawberries.

Is the gin tasting included?

No. Gin tasting is not included. It’s an opt-in experience at Rochford for $25 to taste 4 gins.

Do I get anything to take home?

Yes. You receive a complimentary bottle of wine to take home from Hubert Estate, for ages 18 and up.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is available, with a guided lunch option that you can upgrade on the day, or you can choose an a la carte menu at the venue.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.

What’s the cancellation rule?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.