Chocolate and wine in one smooth Melbourne day.

This full-day Yarra Valley tour mixes cool-climate wine tastings with a proper chocolate factory stop, so you get two big cravings handled without stress. I like that the whole day is guided end to end, with Adrian steering you through the vineyards and the tastings, plus an air-conditioned ride out of the city.

You’ll taste over 10 wines across three cellar stops (with Pinot, Chardonnay, Shiraz and more), and you also get access to the Aboriginal Art Gallery at St’Huberts Estate. The one drawback to plan for: lunch isn’t included, so you’ll need to choose from the menu when you’re there.

Key highlights at a glance

• Small group pacing: up to 16 travelers, which makes the guide chat and vineyard walks feel human-sized.
• Over 10 wine tastings: not a token sip—there’s time for introductions and sampling across styles.
• St’Huberts Estate underground Aboriginal Art Gallery: a culture stop inside the winery visit.
• Chocolate factory samples: included, and it’s a welcome palate-reset during the day.
• Comfort-first transport: air-conditioned VIP Mercedes-Benz 8-seater or a Toyota Tour bus for larger groups.

Melbourne to Yarra Valley: what the 9:30 start really means

The day runs from 9:30 a.m. until about 4 to 4:30 p.m., with roughly an hour each way from Melbourne’s city center. That timing matters because you’re not just getting to a vineyard—you’re getting there with enough daylight left to enjoy the views and still fit in tastings, art, and chocolate.

Pickup is easy if you’re already in the central tourist zone. You meet outside the Ian Potter Gallery roadside bus parking at the Ian Potter Centre / Federation Square area on Flinders St and Russell St. You get a mobile ticket, and service animals are allowed, so you can travel with fewer hassles.

The ride is part of the value. You’re in an air-conditioned VIP Mercedes-Benz 8-seater (or a Toyota Tour bus for bigger groups), so you’re not sweating in traffic with a long parade of strangers. And the tour keeps the focus local: the company notes accreditation with the Victorian government and specifically mentions full driver and bus accreditation, which is the kind of boring detail that usually keeps the day running smoothly.

St’Huberts Estate: underground Aboriginal art plus real lunch options

Stop one is St’Huberts Estate, and it’s doing a lot of heavy lifting in a good way. You’ll visit the Aboriginal Art Gallery showcasing Aboriginal art, and it’s described as being underground at St’Huberts Estate. Even if you’re not the type to linger in museums, I’d still treat this as a meaningful pause from the wine schedule—because the Yarra Valley tour becomes more than just drinking.

This is also where your lunch situation lands. Lunch is not included in the tour price, but St’Huberts is where you can buy your meal on-site. The details are clear: they offer wood-fired pizza in the Yarra Valley, plus fish, beef, and chicken, with multiple side dishes. They also say dietary restrictions are catered for.

Practical tip: go in hungry and browse the menu when you arrive. Since lunch is a choose-your-own from a set venue, you’ll feel less rushed if you think about your order before you’re standing in line with a full schedule behind you. If you’re planning to keep tasting afterward, pizza tends to be a friendlier match than something extra greasy.

Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery: a sweet break that makes the wine easier

The second stop is the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, and it’s a smart midpoint. Chocolate samples are included, which means you’re not spending extra to take a break from the wines you’ve been tasting.

Here’s why this stop matters: it gives you a moment to slow down and refocus. Wine tastings are sensory work—smell, sip, compare, repeat. Chocolate helps you reset your palate so the next pours don’t feel like the same flavor in a different glass. It also adds variety for people in your group who might be more “food day” than “wine day.”

If you’re trying to keep your energy steady through the afternoon, this is the kind of break that helps. You’re still on schedule, but you’re not just moving from one cellar room to another. It’s a fun, simple stop that keeps the day from turning into one long tasting marathon.

Soumah of the Yarra Valley: tasting cool-climate wines with context

Next up is Soumah of the Yarra Valley. This is one of the wineries included in the three-winery run, and the tour frames everything around cool climate varieties: Pinot, Chardonnay, Shiraz, plus many more options along the way.

What you should look for here is the tour’s emphasis on introductions. The day isn’t described as you wandering independently with a tasting card. You’re guided around vineyards and escorted through tastings, which usually means the guide helps you understand what you’re tasting and why. Cool climate wines are especially worth paying attention to because their character is tied to the environment—when you get the explanation, the flavors start to make more sense instead of just tasting “good.”

Also, remember the day includes more than one winery. That matters because you can start spotting differences between wineries rather than just chasing the next glass. In a well-run tour, you’ll feel like you’re learning the rhythm of the region, not just checking boxes.

Greenstone Vineyards: how the afternoon pacing keeps it fun

The final cellar stop is Greenstone Vineyards. By this point, you’ve already had the morning winery experience and the chocolate break. That sequence helps: you arrive here with less fatigue and more curiosity.

The tour promises stunning scenery and views, and it’s clearly set up as a vineyard day with time for real tasting. The pace matters because a lot of wine tours feel rushed—one quick pour, then a mad dash to the next stop. Here, the tour is built around tasting in the vineyards with you being taken care of step by step, so you’re not constantly wondering what happens next.

Practical tip: plan your water and snack strategy early. Bottled water is included, and using it consistently will help you enjoy the final tastings instead of just powering through. If you tend to get sleepy after lunch, consider a slower pace during the tastings and take breaks between pours.

The wine tastings: what’s included, and how to taste smarter

Across the whole day, you’ll be tasting over 10 wines. Tastings include wine varieties like Pinot, Chardonnay, and Shiraz, and they also mention many more wines. Alcoholic beverages for tastings are included, and bottled water is provided. You also get an introduction to all the wines as part of the guided experience.

I like that this is structured as wine tasting in the vineyards, not a drive-thru cellar tour. When the guide walks you through the wines and the setting, you can compare more easily: aroma, body, acidity, and that big one—how the flavors change as you sip and breathe.

How to make it easier on yourself:

• Take smaller sips when you want to compare styles rather than just finish a glass.
• Use the chocolate stop as a palate reset.
• Stay with water between tastings, especially in the afternoon.

And one more thing: because this tour is guided, you can ask questions while the guide is there. That’s one of the best values of a group experience—your time doesn’t vanish into confusion, and you’re not paying extra for one-on-one help.

Transport and group size: why it feels personal

This tour caps at 16 travelers, and that’s a big deal for comfort and conversation. Smaller groups mean you spend less time waiting around at winery entrances and more time actually tasting and learning.

You also ride in an air-conditioned vehicle. The tour describes two options: a Mercedes-Benz 8-seater for smaller groups (VIP style) and a Toyota Tour bus for larger groups. Either way, you’re not stuck in an open-air cattle drive style bus.

Adrian is named as the tour guide and escort for the day, and he explicitly notes that they do not use truck drivers for the tours. You can feel the intent behind that: they’re treating this as a service business where the guide stays involved, not as a logistics drop-off.

Price and value: why $63.83 can add up quickly (in a good way)

At $63.83 per person, this is priced like a value-focused day tour—and the inclusions explain why. Your money covers transport from central Melbourne and the guided tour, plus entry to the wineries. It also includes the wine tastings themselves (alcoholic beverages), bottled water, and chocolate samples at the chocolate factory. You also get entry to the Aboriginal Art Gallery showcasing Aboriginal art at St’Huberts Estate.

Lunch is the only clearly stated extra cost, but it’s also handled in a practical way. You can buy lunch at St’Huberts, with menu options including wood-fired pizza and choices for different dietary restrictions. So you’re not left searching for food in a random parking lot. You’re eating at the venue that’s already part of the plan.

A good way to think about value: if you tried to stitch this together on your own—transport, winery tastings, art gallery entry, and a chocolate stop—you’d likely spend far more than the tour cost, while also losing the smooth scheduling and guidance.

One more scheduling note: the tour is commonly booked about 19 days in advance. That doesn’t guarantee sell-outs, but it does suggest it’s popular enough that you’ll waste less time if you lock it in sooner rather than later.

Who this tour is best for (and who may want a different day)

This is a great fit if you want an all-in-one Yarra Valley introduction. It’s especially suited to:

• Melbourne locals who want a quick day trip with a guide and no planning headache.
• Visitors who want three wineries plus chocolate without needing to drive.
• Anyone who likes structure: pickup, guided steps, tasting explanations, and a clear day flow.

It may not be ideal if:

• You’re not interested in alcohol tastings, since wine tastings are a core part of the program.
• You strongly prefer a tour where lunch is fully included (here, you choose and pay for lunch on-site).

Should you book this Yarra Valley chocolate and wine tour with Adrian?

If you want a day that mixes wine tasting, chocolate samples, and a stop at St’Huberts Estate’s underground Aboriginal Art Gallery, this is an easy yes. The tour is built around comfort (air-conditioned transport), a small group size, and a guide who stays with you from the Melbourne pickup to the return timing.

It also makes sense for first-timers because you’re not just tasting in isolation—you’re getting introductions to the wines, so you’re more likely to leave with an actual sense of the cool climate style. And for Melbourne visitors and residents alike, it’s one of those experiences that feels like a real getaway without requiring heavy planning.

My call: book it if you want a guided, practical, value-rich day with good pacing and multiple stops that cover both food and wine. Pass if your idea of a perfect Yarra Valley day excludes chocolate and organized tastings.

FAQ

How long is the Chocolate and Wine Tasting tour in the Yarra Valley?

The tour lasts about 7 hours 30 minutes, departing at 9:30 a.m. and returning around 4 to 4:30 p.m.

How many wineries are included?

You visit three wineries during the day: St’Huberts Estate, Soumah of the Yarra Valley, and Greenstone Vineyards.

What wines are included in the tastings?

Wine tastings include cool climate varieties such as Pinot, Shiraz, Chardonnay, and many more.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. Lunch is not included, but you can buy lunch at St’Huberts Estate during the tour.

Where do you get picked up in Melbourne?

Pickup is in the city centre at the Ian Potter Centre / NGV Australia area at Federation Square, outside the Ian Potter Gallery roadside bus parking on Flinders St and Russell St.

What transport will I use during the tour?

You travel in an air-conditioned VIP Mercedes-Benz 8-seater for smaller groups, or a Toyota Tour bus for larger groups.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 16 travelers.

Is the Aboriginal Art Gallery part of the tour?

Yes. You visit the underground Aboriginal Art Gallery at St’Huberts Estate, and the tour includes the showing of Aboriginal art.

Are chocolate samples included?

Yes. Chocolate samples are included at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount paid isn’t refunded.

You Might Also Enjoy

Melbourne: Balloon Flight at SunriseCairns: Immersive Small Group Indigenous Cultural ExperienceFrom Melbourne: Phillip Island Penguin Parade Private TourMoreton Island: Tangalooma Day Trip with Snorkeling Tour