You can trade Melbourne for vineyards fast. This 10-hour, small-group Yarra Valley day pairs guided tastings with an a la carte lunch at Yering Station and a mix of well-known and boutique producers.

I especially like the variety across four vineyards, so you compare styles rather than repeating the same flight all day. I also love that lunch is a real sit-down meal with views, not a rushed sandwich. One consideration: the schedule is packed, and you’ll want comfortable shoes—there’s no time to linger everywhere.

Key points at a glance

• Small-group touring keeps the day personal and easy to ask questions.
• Four wineries, different personalities: big-name precision and smaller-producer character.
• Yering Station lunch is a highlight: a la carte main, plus wine and coffee.
• Cheese pairing at De Bortoli adds a tasty, educational start.
• After-lunch contrast continues with Payten & Jones, then Medhurst (or a substitute).
• Smart-casual dress and a long day mean planning your comfort matters.

Why Yarra Valley makes sense for a one-day wine mission

The Yarra Valley sits about an hour from Melbourne, so you’re not burning your whole day in transit. Once you’re there, the region’s reputation for chardonnay, pinot noir, and sparkling becomes real fast—every stop seems to circle back to those grapes in its own way.

This tour leans into that contrast. You’re not just chasing famous names; you’re learning how the same wine styles can feel different depending on vineyard location, producer approach, and how the tasting is hosted.

And yes, you’ll get the scenery people come for. But the day’s better than a photo mission because the views sit next to tastings and meals that actually take time.

Getting to the valley: Melbourne pickup and a comfy small-group rhythm

You start with city pickup at one of four places: East Melbourne, Southbank, Fitzroy, or Melbourne City. Dropping off happens at Fitzroy, Melbourne City, East Melbourne, or Southbank, which makes it simple to link the day with your evening plans.

The tour runs about 10 hours, so the timing is built for a full day rather than a slow crawl. That matters, because a wine tour lives or dies by pacing: too slow and you feel stuck; too fast and you miss the point of tasting.

Most people appreciate the small-group vibe, and the transport gets called out as high quality—one departure even used a Mercedes van described as spotless. Pack light because oversize luggage isn’t allowed, and you’ll want to dress smart casual (no singlets or thongs).

De Bortoli at Dixons Creek: a polished start with cheese and Chardonnay focus

Your morning moves north-east through bushy suburban country around Templestowe, Eltham, and Kangaroo Ground, then you land at De Bortoli Vineyard in Dixons Creek. This is a classy way to break the day in: tastings right away, before you’ve had too much time to “tour fatigue.”

At De Bortoli, you get a 45-minute wine and cheese pairing with selected wines plus a cheese platter. That pairing format is a smart choice for first-timers because it gives your palate a framework. Instead of tasting in isolation, you learn how acidity, texture, and fat play together.

De Bortoli also gives you a sense of scale. After that, the rest of the day gets more personal and boutique, which makes the variety feel intentional rather than random.

Yering Station: the 1838 site, the 1859 winery, and the lunch-with-views reality check

Then you shift to Yering Station, tied to the first vineyard in the Yarra Valley (1838). You also step into an original winery building dating to around 1859, which makes the tasting feel like you’re walking through the region’s story rather than just sampling bottles.

You’ll enjoy an estate wine tasting in that original winery space. In the background, you’ll notice details like local artwork and produce, which keeps the stop from feeling like a generic cellar door.

Lunch is where this tour really “wins points.” You move to Yering Station’s restaurant for an a la carte main course, with a glass of wine and coffee included. One of the best parts is that it’s not one preset menu. You can choose a main that fits your appetite and your wine style for the day.

A practical note: because this is a full day with more tastings after lunch, don’t treat wine like a race. Eat well, pace yourself, and you’ll enjoy the second half more.

Payten & Jones: small-batch wines with personality after lunch

After lunch, the energy changes—less “big venue,” more focused character. You visit Payten & Jones, described as one of the smaller producers in the Yarra Valley, with small-batch wines and approachable styles.

Payten & Jones brings familiar favourites, including chardonnay and pinot noir, plus options like syrah and some Mediterranean varietals. That mix matters because it helps you stop thinking only in terms of the classic Yarra lineup. You start tasting the producer’s signature choices instead of only the region’s headline grapes.

You also get something intangible here: the tasting tends to feel more conversational. On tours like this, that usually comes from the smaller scale—fewer people, more time per pour, and guides who can connect the wine to the vineyard character.

Medhurst Vineyard and the smart substitution plan when it’s closed

Next comes Medhurst Vineyard, a family-owned property established in 1999. It’s a 35-acre vineyard in the foothills of the Warramate Ranges, which explains why the tasting moment feels a little different than the flatter, more mainstream cellar door stops.

The winery’s selection is described as a small set of elegant table wines. That’s a nice counterpoint to earlier stops: you get fewer wines, but you can pay closer attention to what the producer is trying to do.

One important detail: Medhurst isn’t open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. On those days, the tour plans a substitution to keep your afternoon tasting going, with options including Punt Road, Dominique Portet, Giant Steps, or Oakridge Vineyards.

So if you’re booking for Tue/Wed, don’t worry—you’re not stuck with silence or delays. You’re still getting a real vineyard visit, just with a different face.

The tour pace: how the tastings and meals fit together over 10 hours

This day is designed like a sequence, not a checklist. You start with a pairing-focused tasting, move into a historic estate tasting, then refuel with lunch that includes wine and coffee, and finish with two more tasting experiences.

Tastings happen in blocks across the day, with one that runs longer than the others. In practical terms, that longer session is your chance to slow down: compare what you liked earlier, revisit acidity and body, and decide what you’d actually buy if you were shopping.

I also like that the tour includes morning nibbles and bottled water. That sounds basic, but it makes a difference on a day where you’re tasting multiple pours. You won’t feel like your energy drops right when you’re trying to evaluate the final wines.

The biggest pacing tip: keep notes if you care about remembering. Even a couple of scribbles—like what you thought about the chardonnay style or how you reacted to syrah—helps you connect the dots by the time you reach the end.

Price and value: what $219 covers (and why it’s not just the wine price)

At $219 per person for about 10 hours, this tour costs more than the “budget tasting bus” style. But the value case is clear: you’re not paying only for wine pours.

Included in the price are:

• city hotel pickup
• wine tastings
• morning nibbles
• a guide
• main course a la carte lunch
• a glass of wine and coffee with lunch at Yering Station
• a cheese platter at De Bortoli
• bottled water

When lunch is a proper sit-down meal with wine and coffee, the math shifts quickly. You also get multiple distinct winery experiences across the day, including a historic site stop and smaller-producer tastings.

If your priority is “as many bottles as possible,” you may find cheaper tours. But if your priority is quality time, guided context, and a meal that feels like part of the day—not an add-on—this pricing can make sense.

Who should book this Yarra Valley day (and who should skip it)

This tour fits you best if you want:

• small-group attention and a more personable guide experience
• a mix of established and boutique wineries
• a serious lunch stop at Yering Station, with an a la carte main and wine

It’s also a good option if you’re visiting Melbourne and want a structured way to see the Yarra Valley without planning tastings, driving, and logistics yourself.

You might want to skip it if you need wheelchair access, because this tour isn’t suitable for wheelchair users. Also, if you strongly dislike long days with scheduled tastings, consider choosing a shorter, fewer-stop tour instead.

Practical details that make the day smoother

A few small rules make the experience easier:

• No sandals or flip flops. Wear shoes you can walk in comfortably.
• Oversize luggage isn’t allowed.
• Dress is smart casual (think nice top, pants/jeans, comfortable shoes).
• Minimum drinking age is 18.

Before you go, plan for the fact that pickup time and driver details are confirmed closer to departure via email or mobile the evening before. That helps you avoid arriving early to an uncertain meeting point.

And if you’re bringing a backpack or day bag, keep it modest. The tour moves you around between wineries, so you’ll appreciate having less to manage.

Should you book this tour?

If you want a Yarra Valley day that balances guided tastings, a real lunch, and a mix of winery sizes, I’d book it. The combination of De Bortoli’s pairing start, Yering Station’s historic setting and a la carte lunch, and the contrast of Payten & Jones plus Medhurst (or a substitute) gives you more than one kind of wine experience.

I’d also book if you value the small-group feel and want to ask questions without feeling like you’re in a crowd. This is a day designed to help you taste with context, not just tick off wineries.

If you’re ultra-budget-focused, or you prefer to choose your own tastings at a slower pace, then you may want to compare options. But for a smooth, high-service day with included lunch and tastings, this one is an easy yes.

FAQ

How long is the Yarra Valley Winery Tour with Lunch at Yering Station?

The tour lasts 10 hours.

What pickup and drop-off locations are offered in Melbourne?

Pickups are available at East Melbourne, Southbank, Fitzroy, and Melbourne City. Drop-offs are available at Fitzroy, Melbourne City, East Melbourne, and Southbank.

What’s included with lunch at Yering Station?

Lunch includes an a la carte main course plus a glass of wine and coffee at Yering Station.

Which wineries are visited?

The tour includes stops at De Bortoli (Dixons Creek), Yering Station, Payten & Jones, and Medhurst Vineyard. If Medhurst is closed (Tue & Wed), you’ll visit Punt Road, Dominique Portet, Giant Steps, or Oakridge Vineyards instead.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age is 18 years.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No. This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Are there any restrictions on clothing and luggage?

Oversize luggage is not allowed, and sandals or flip flops are not allowed. Dress code is smart casual.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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

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