Wine and chocolate, then more wine.

This is a full-day Yarra Valley tasting tour built around guided stops and scenic countryside driving from Melbourne, with an easy meet-up at Flinders Street. I especially like how the itinerary mixes classic wine producers with a proper chocolate tasting, plus time at Hubert Estate’s indigenous art gallery. One thing to watch: the tour name leans into gin/whisky, but what you get for spirits can depend on the day, and extra tastings may cost extra.

My favorite part for most people is the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery stop, which includes a guided tasting of 10 chocolates. It’s also a social format with a small group (max 19), so you’re meeting new faces while you compare what you like across wineries.

The other consideration is lunch: you’ll head to Quarters at Hubert Estate, but lunch itself is not included in the tour price. You can also hit Domaine Chandon for photos and browsing, yet it’s more of a look-see stop than a long sit-down, so plan to spend your big appetite budget at the places that suit you.

Key things to know before you go

• Meet at Flinders Street near the NGV Australia Ian Potter Centre, two minutes from Flinders Street Station
• Alcoholic beverages are included, along with wine tastings and a guided chocolate tasting
• Soumah and Balgownie both bring guided tastings with multiple wine styles and great views
• Hubert Estate includes an indigenous art gallery visit plus lunch time at Quarters (extra)
• Chocolaterie tasting is structured: 10 chocolates, guided, and timed so you can keep moving
• Group size stays small (up to 19), which helps the day feel organized instead of chaotic

Getting started at NGV Flinders Street (and why it matters)

Your day kicks off at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, at Federation Square on Flinders St (right by Russell St). The location is the kind that makes morning travel painless: it’s opposite 154 Flinders Street and about a two-minute walk from Flinders Street Railway Station.

That matters because this tour starts at 9:00 am, and you don’t want a “where do we meet?” scramble eating into your tasting time. It also helps that the end point is at 30 Flinders St, in the same street zone, so you can connect back to the tram network without a long commute.

The tour uses a mobile ticket, and you’ll board an air-conditioned vehicle. Expect a proper departure with the driver managing the route—your job is mostly to show up, listen, and stay hydrated.

Soumah: your first guided tasting in the Yarra

The drive from Melbourne is part of the experience. After meeting, you’ll get about an hour of travel before your first winery stop, rolling through freeway and then into countryside and vineyards. You’ll pass through Warrandyte along the way, which gives you that early “we’re really out here now” feeling.

At Soumah, you get a guided tasting of five wines for about 35 minutes. The lineup changes across vintages, but you can expect a mix of styles such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo, and Brachetto. That’s a smart way to start: you’re not just drinking one “house style.” You’re comparing different grapes and picking up a sense of what the Yarra does well.

What I like about this structure is pacing. You get a guided intro early, then later in the day you’ll see how different estates handle climate, fruit style, and blending choices.

St Huberts Cellar Door: longer tasting time and non-wine options

Next up is St Huberts Cellar Door, where you’ll spend around one hour. Here, the tasting is four well-known wines—again, guided.

What makes this stop practical is the option if wine isn’t your thing. The tour notes that if you don’t feel like wine, they’ll treat you to a can of beer or cider instead. That’s exactly the kind of flexibility you want on a group tour, especially if you’ve got mixed drinking preferences in your seat group.

Now, the gin/whisky angle: the tour information includes a spirit tasting option for a small fee at this stop. So if you’re specifically chasing gin or whisky, treat it as an add-on possibility rather than a guaranteed, included signature distillery visit.

If your ideal day is heavily spirits-forward, you should mentally budget for extra purchases and be ready to ask what’s available that day.

Hubert Estate: Quarters lunch time and the indigenous art gallery

Your next big chunk of the day lands at Hubert Estate. The highlight here isn’t just the wine—it’s the Quarters lunch time and the indigenous art gallery located on the floor below their cellar door.

You’ll have about an hour for this stop, which typically means:

• wine-tasting ambiance transitions into a longer sit-down window
• a chance to walk through the art gallery
• a lunch decision: buy on-site or bring your own food (with the caveat that only food bought at the winery can be consumed at the winery)

Because lunch isn’t included in the tour price, I treat this as your budget planning moment. The menu options sound like they’re meant to be easy and appealing, and this is where you’ll want to eat like an adult: something filling enough that the rest of the tastings won’t hit you like a surprise.

I also like that the art component adds a pause from drinking. Even if you’re not usually a museum person, it gives the day texture and breaks the routine of one tasting room after another.

Domaine Chandon and the quick photo-and-shop rhythm

On the way to lunch at Hubert Estate, there’s a stop at Domaine Chandon in Yarra Valley, known for sparkling wine. This is usually for photos and browsing their shop.

The key detail: there’s no booking required here, and the stop is intentionally light. You’re not there for a long tour. You’re there to look, pick up a souvenir if you want, and keep the schedule moving.

There’s also mention that you can have lunch there if you want, but that depends on how the driver works timing that day. If you prefer to keep your midday eating closer to the tasting room energy, this could be a good swap. If you want the indigenous art gallery time and Quarters meal, plan to stay with Hubert Estate’s lunch plan.

Yarrawood Estate and Balgownie: two choices, different vibes

After the chocolate focus starts to appear later, the itinerary also includes Yarrawood Estate as a conditional stop. The tour notes that if the chocolaterie is not your thing, you can tell your driver and they may take you to Yarrawood instead (or to Balgownie Estate).

Then, Balgownie is also listed as a stop with guided tasting and views. At Balgownie Estate Yarra Valley, you’ll enjoy a guided tasting of five wines (about 45 minutes). The estate is also an award-winning hotel, so even if you’re not staying overnight, it helps explain why the grounds tend to feel polished and scenic.

Here’s how I’d think about this section: it’s designed to keep the day flexible. If you love wine and can handle another tasting room, Balgownie’s views and guided lineup can be a win. If you’re mainly there for a chocolate-and-wine mix, you’ll likely prefer the chocolaterie path instead of swapping it out.

Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery: the stop that wins hearts

If you’re doing this tour for one thing above all else, make it the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery. You’ll get a guided tasting of 10 chocolates and about 45 minutes on-site.

This stop is popular, and the structure is what makes it work. You’re not wandering with an hour of indecision. You taste, you compare flavors, and the guide helps you understand what you’re eating—so it feels like a proper experience, not just buying candy.

One practical note: it can be busy. If you’re the type who hates crowds, arrive mentally ready for line-and-door traffic during peak times. It’s still worth it for the guided tasting because it’s one of the only stops where you’re getting an organized education on a product that’s usually just consumed on vibes.

If you’re a fan of pairing sweet treats with wine you’ve tasted earlier in the day, this is a fun moment to reset your palate.

Price and value: what $93.24 covers (and how it can pay off)

At $93.24 per person, this tour is a value play when you look at what’s included. Your price includes:

• an air-conditioned vehicle
• alcoholic beverages
• wine tastings
• a guided chocolate tasting
• a driver with music requests

What’s not included is lunch. And lunch is the most obvious cost add-on, especially if you choose to buy meals on-site.

Still, the math can work out well if you planned to do tastings anyway. You’re getting multiple guided tastings across several estates, which is usually the expensive part of wine tourism. Add that the chocolaterie tasting is also included, and the day turns into a structured tasting circuit rather than a casual self-drive.

If you’re the kind of person who only likes one or two wines, you might end the day feeling like you paid for volume you didn’t fully use. But if you enjoy comparing styles—like that Soumah mix of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Nebbiolo—you’ll feel like your money is stretched.

And if you’re curious about gin or whisky: budget a little extra. The info points to a possible spirit tasting for a small fee, and the day’s exact spirit focus may vary.

Group size, comfort, and timing on an eight-hour day

This is a group tour with a maximum of 19 travelers. That size is important. It’s big enough to meet people, but small enough that the driver can keep things orderly and the group can find each other after each stop.

The ride is in an air-conditioned vehicle. Based on how these tours are typically run, that matters more than you’d think—Yarra Valley days can swing in temperature, and tasting rooms keep you there longer than you expect. You’ll feel better if you start the day with water and keep a light snack habit between tastings.

You’ll likely spend time waiting between stops for arrivals and tastings, but the itinerary is built to keep the rhythm: drive, tasting, tasting, lunch window, photo/browser stop, chocolate, then final winery-style tastings depending on your day’s path.

One more comfort detail: multiple guides in the experience descriptions are praised for friendly hosting and for the music on the bus, including taking requests. That sounds like a small thing, but it’s the difference between a day that feels like transport and a day that feels like a moving hangout.

Practical tips so you enjoy every stop

Here are the moves I’d make if I were packing for this day:

• Eat a light breakfast. You’ll be tasting early and often, and the group schedule can make food feel secondary until lunch.
• Bring water and use it. Alcohol included doesn’t mean you have to ignore hydration.
• Don’t over-plan the gin/whisky part. Look at it as a bonus add-on possibility rather than a guaranteed distillery tour every single time.
• Budget for lunch at Quarters. That’s your biggest straightforward extra expense.
• Wear shoes that handle winery paths and estate entrances. Some stops have more walking than you expect.
• If chocolate is your priority, you’ll want to stick with the chocolaterie route. The itinerary suggests swaps only if you opt out.

Also, if you’re sensitive to busy venues, treat the chocolaterie and some tasting rooms as likely high-demand spots. Go a little patient. It’s a day trip that attracts the people who love sweets and wine.

Should you book this Yarra Valley Wine, Gin, Whisky and Chocolate Tour?

Book it if you want an easy, structured Yarra day that mixes multiple wine tastings with a guided chocolate experience, without the stress of driving and coordinating between venues. It’s a great fit for solo travelers too, since the small group format helps you meet people quickly.

I’d hesitate if your main goal is a distillery-style gin and whisky program with zero uncertainty. The tour title points to gin and whisky, but the confirmed experience is centered on wine tastings and chocolate, with a potential spirit tasting for a small fee. Also, if lunch budgeting bothers you, remember lunch isn’t included.

If you want maximum payoff from the price, go in open-minded. Taste widely at Soumah and Balgownie, treat the Hubert Estate art gallery as your mental breather, and consider the chocolaterie stop the part you’ll still be thinking about after dinner.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:00 am.

Where do I meet the guide?

You meet at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square on Flinders St and Russell St in Melbourne.

How long is the tour?

The tour is about 8 hours.

Is alcohol included in the price?

Yes. Wine tastings and alcoholic beverages are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch at Quarters is extra expense, though you’ll have a lunch stop during the day.

Do I get non-wine options?

At St Huberts Cellar Door, you can have a beer or cider if you don’t feel like wine.

Is the group small?

Yes. The tour has a maximum of 19 travelers.

FAQ

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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

How do I get back after the tour ends?

The tour ends at 30 Flinders St in Melbourne. You can also stay on the vehicle to return to the starting point by car in about 20 minutes in traffic instead of walking.

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