The 7 Best Yarra Valley Wine Tours (Reviews For 2025)
Sitting a little over an hour from Melbourne, you’ll find some of the best wine country in the world, boasting rolling hills, a great culinary scene, and endless vineyards cascading over rolling hills.
The stunning Victorian countryside is the perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of the city, though with over 80 wineries, it can be challenging figuring out which ones to visit. I’ve done the “hard” work for you, taking just about every tour I could find in order to bring you the 7 top Yarra Valley wine tours currently out there.
These come with experienced guides who know the area like the back of their hand, and will show you an insider’s perspective most don’t get to see. Let’s jump right in!
Be sure to see our other wine tours in Australia: Adelaide Wine Tours, Barossa Valley Wine Tours and Margaret River Wine Tours.
Best Yarra Valley Wine Tours
| Ultimate Yarra Valley All Inclusive Food & Wine Tour from Melbourne | Melbourne: Full-Day Yarra Valley Wine Experience with Lunch | Yarra Valley Wine Day Tour | |
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| Meeting Location: | Hotel pickup and drop-off available | Immigration Museum, Melbourne | Hotel pickup and drop-off included |
| Tour Length: | 8 hours | 8 hours | 10 hours |
| Start Time(s): | 8:00 AM | 9:25 AM | 8:30 AM |
| What’s Included: | All tastings, Lunch, Friendly & Informative Tour Guide, Pickup from selected hotels, WiFi on board, Air-conditioned vehicle | Round-trip transportation from Melbourne, All wine tastings, 1-course lunch at a winery restaurant, with a glass of wine, Wine guide | Bottled water, lunch, wine tasting, driver/guide, air-conditioned vehicle |
Our 7 Top Picks For The Best Yarra Valley Wine Tour:
- Ultimate Yarra Valley All Inclusive Food & Wine Tour from Melbourne
- Melbourne: Full-Day Yarra Valley Wine Experience with Lunch
- Yarra Valley Wine Day Tour
- Yarra Valley Wine & Winery Tour from Melbourne – All Inclusive!
- Yarra Valley Food Wine and Gin Tour Departing From Melbourne
- Yarra Valley: Winery Tour with Lunch at Yering Station
- Yarra Valley Afternoon Winery Tour – Half Day from Melbourne
Yarra Valley Wine Tour Reviews
1. Ultimate Yarra Valley All Inclusive Food & Wine Tour from Melbourne
What You Should Know About This Tour:
- Where You Will Meet: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Tour Length: 8 hours
- Start Time(s): 8:00 AM
- What’s Included: All tastings, Lunch, Friendly & Informative Tour Guide, Pickup from selected hotels, WiFi on board, Air-conditioned vehicle
What to Expect on the Tour
Whether you’re a wine aficionado, a foodie, or simply enjoy the great outdoors, you’re going to find something you love on this first tour. The Ultimate Yarra Valley All Inclusive Food & Wine Tour is a full-day eco-tour that focuses more on sustainability and locally sourced produce.
With stunning landscapes, plenty of educational opportunities, great wine, and tasty food, this is the real deal – no fluff! You can expect unapologetic indulgence here, whether you’re trying farm-to-table meals or savoring world-class local wines.
Learn exactly what makes the Yarra Valley such a gem, with a genuine local connection free of crowds and cookie-cutter tourism. This tour offers a taste of Australia you’ll remember long after the glasses are empty, taking you to the Balgownie Estate, Coldstream Dairy, Four Pillars Gin Distillery, Rochford Wines, and the local Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery.
What Makes This Tour Great
I loved the way they combined different types of winery visits, along with a trip to a dairy, ice cream and chocolate tasting, and even a gin distillery. It wasn’t monotonous nor repetitive in the slightest, and I learned so much about food and wine this way.
Our itinerary was designed in a way that highlighted the wine factor while mixing in other highlights of the valley, like at Four Pillars, where we got to learn how they make their gin, even tasting their signature gin and tonic tasting paddle!
At Balgownie Estate, we explored the grounds, learned about their wine production from growing the grapes to the proper tasting of the products. There was a professional sommelier on site to guide us through the tasting, sharing tasting notes, and what makes them so special.
Rochford Wines was stunning as well, sharing delicious wines while placing more of a focus on their amazing food (here is where you’ll enjoy a filling restaurant lunch!).
Reserve Tour Now and Pay Later / Free Cancellation Within 24 Hours of Tour Start Time
2. Melbourne: Full-Day Yarra Valley Wine Experience with Lunch
What You Should Know About This Tour:
- Where You Will Meet: Immigration Museum, Melbourne
- Tour Length: 8 hours
- Start Time(s): 9:25 AM
- What’s Included: Round-trip transportation from Melbourne, All wine tastings, 1-course lunch at a winery restaurant, with a glass of wine, Wine guide
What to Expect on the Tour
You can expect a masterclass in understated luxury with the Melbourne: Full-Day Yarra Valley Wine Experience with Lunch Tour! You’ll see an array of different types of wineries, from the big commercial estates to the more boutique, family-owned properties.
Each stop offers a look into local craftsmanship while receiving an education in the different terroir, winemaking methods, and much more in an intimate, small-group experience. Expect to meet the owners of the property or the winemakers, themselves, with their contagious passion for producing unique wines!
You’ll get to visit some of the oldest wineries in the valley and learn about the techniques they’ve passed down for decades, and even get to visit Soumah which specializes in very similar styles to what you’d find out of northern Italy and southeastern France.
What Makes This Tour Great
If it’s your first time in the Yarra Valley and would like to learn about different types of winemaking, this is a great itinerary for exactly that.
You can tell that whoever created this schedule is very knowledgeable in the wide selection of wineries in the valley, handpicking 4 premium options that offer a range of wines, properties, histories, and methods.
After being picked up, you’ll head out with your guide there to drive you and regale you and your party with interesting commentary while you enjoy the charming countryside views.
Learn all about how to properly sample wine with your guide at Greenstone, along with trying a range of cellar-door tastings. Balgownie Estate is a super popular winery known for its beautiful environment, fantastic restaurant, and obviously, great wine.
After enjoying a mouthwatering lunch on site, you’ll continue onto a boutique winery, where you’ll learn about how they’ve traditionally made their wine, and even get to check out their antique copper wine-making equipment!
Reserve Tour Now and Pay Later / Free Cancellation Within 24 Hours of Tour Start Time
3. Yarra Valley Wine Day Tour
What You Should Know About This Tour:
- Where You Will Meet: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Tour Length: 10 hours
- Start Time(s): 8:30 AM
- What’s Included: Bottled water, lunch, wine tasting, driver/guide, air-conditioned vehicle
What to Expect on the Tour
Some people avoid taking winery tours because they are under the impression that there may be a bit of gatekeeping going on, or that they need to already know about wine to enjoy the experience. Fortunately, there are many tours that are quite the opposite: raw, genuine, and completely unpretentious.
The Yarra Valley Wine Day Tour is a shining example of them, instead showing you behind-the-scenes to explore the hard work that goes into the wine, and meeting the people who craft them.
This is not just a day of tasting (though there’s nothing wrong with that) – it’s a deep dive into one of the country’s most famous wine regions, blending luxury with simplicity. Enjoy intimate, boutique wineries and artisanal producers who just want to make great wine and share it with others.
This full-day adventure takes you to 5 different renowned wineries, including the gorgeous De Bortoli, Yering Station, Payten & Jones, Coldstream Hills Cellar Door, and Medhurst Vineyard.
What Makes This Tour Great
What I really love about this tour is that it’s made for indulging in the top-notch wine, incredible food scene, and breathtaking scenery of the region. The curation is on-point, focusing on relaxation and indulgence rather than the hustle-and-bustle of larger, more generic tours.
Visiting the nearly century-old De Bortoli was quite intriguing, being able to taste their dessert wine, “Noble One” and learning all about one of the country’s largest and oldest wine producers.
We had a fun time hanging out at Yering Station’s historic cellar door, tasting a few reserve and estate wines before heading to their restaurant for a full, a la carte meal with more wine and coffee. Then, enjoy the amazing landscapes of 3 other spots, where you’ll try even more varietals!
Reserve Tour Now and Pay Later / Free Cancellation Within 24 Hours of Tour Start Time
4. Yarra Valley Wine & Winery Tour from Melbourne – All Inclusive!
What You Should Know About This Tour:
- Where You Will Meet: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Tour Length: 8 hours
- Start Time(s): 9:15 AM
- What’s Included: Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points, Transport by air-conditioned mini bus, Wine tastings at four Yarra Valley wineries, Lunch at Balgownie Estate or equivalent, Glass of wine and tea or coffee with lunch
What to Expect on the Tour
Next up is the Yarra Valley Wine & Winery Tour from Melbourne – All Inclusive experience, where you’ll soak up stunning views, handpicked wines, gourmet bites, and a curated itinerary perfect for aficionados and newbies, alike.
In 8 hours, you’ll explore wine tastings at 4 unique wineries – each offering something a bit special from the others. If you’re interested in trying many different styles of wine from this region, this is one of your top options.
Learn how to properly taste wine, venture through the inner workings of the properties, stroll through their vineyards, and try sparkling, red, white, and dessert wines.
Your local expert guide is there to further enrich your tour, offering historical and cultural commentary to expand upon the importance of each of these wines! In addition, you’ll have time to enjoy a nice lunch at one of the winery’s restaurants.
What Makes This Tour Great
This tour is a wonderful day escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, effortlessly balancing luxury and authenticity. Our first stop at Greenstone Vineyards was so tranquil, with informative staff who gave us an amazing cellar door tasting experience!
After some time appreciating the beautiful environment, we then made our way to Balgowie Estate which has some amazing shiraz and cabernet sauvignon – I loved the lunch full of fresh ingredients at their restaurant!
Yering Farm Wines was next, and aside from their phenomenal vintages, I loved their friendly and relaxed environment (their cider is delicious, too!). Their tasting room is in a converted old hay shed, which was just so in line with their traditional copper winemaking tools that we got to experience.
Soumah Wines is the last stop, and one I’d consider more of a hidden gem, with delicious fruity wines! If you love dessert wines, you will LOVE Soumah.
Reserve Tour Now and Pay Later / Free Cancellation Within 24 Hours of Tour Start Time
5. Yarra Valley Food Wine and Gin Tour Departing From Melbourne
What You Should Know About This Tour:
- Where You Will Meet: Federation Square, Flinders St &, Russell St, Melbourne
- Tour Length: 8 hours
- Start Time(s): 9:00 AM
- What’s Included: Lunch, Gourmet lunch with sides and a glass of wine or soft drink, Alcoholic Beverages, All wine tastings are included in the tour price – gin tasting not included, 1 complimentary bottle of wine to take home – +18 years only, Discounts at the venues visited, Bottled water
What to Expect on the Tour
Expect one of the most comprehensive, full-spectrum looks into the Yarra Valley wine region, with rolling hills and neverending vineyards. This carefully curated experience will take you through behind-the-scenes encounters with artisans, complete with unique anecdotes, elevating the trip with heritage and artistry.
The Yarra Valley Food Wine and Gin Tour is ideal for wine aficionados and foodies, alike, so if you’re looking for something refined yet genuine, you’re on the mark here.
Most of the wine tours on this guide include lunch at one of the wineries, though this one takes the local cuisine aspect a bit further. You’ll visit the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery, so if you have a penchant for sweetness, it’s not one to miss.
Complete with comfortable, round-trip transport, all you have to do is enjoy the natural scenery, food, and wine.
What Makes This Tour Great
This tour is so fantastic because of the way it so perfectly captures Australia’s wild spirit, stunning natural scenery, and dedication to amazing food and wine.
We took off early in the morning in our comfortable, air-conditioned coach, enjoying a scenic drive through the iconic rolling hills blanketed in a morning fog while we listened to our guide tell us interesting stories and cultural commentary about the area (and plenty of info about Melbourne’s history).
We even spotted some kangaroos, koalas, and plenty of birds that just made it so uniquely and charmingly “Australian”.
Our first stop was at the lovely Yarra Farm Fresh where we had a guided fruit tasting, which I’d never done before – we tried plenty of ultra-fresh fruits that I’d never had before!
We had 2 amazing wine tastings at the beautiful Hubert Estate and Rochford Wines, enjoying a gourmet lunch, taking a complimentary bottle of wine, and plenty of photos around the estates.
However, the visit to the Chocalaterie & Ice Creamery was beyond words – sampling creamy, rich chocolates on the guided chocolate tasting and some ice cream before the cheese tasting at Yarra Valley Dairy.
Reserve Tour Now and Pay Later / Free Cancellation Within 24 Hours of Tour Start Time
6. Yarra Valley: Winery Tour with Lunch at Yering Station
What You Should Know About This Tour:
- Where You Will Meet: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Tour Length: 10 hours
- Start Time(s): Varies
- What’s Included: Wine tastings, Morning snacks, Guide, Main course a la carte lunch, Glass of wine and coffee at Yering Station Vineyard, Cheese platter at De Bortoli Vineyard, Bottled water
What to Expect on the Tour
The Yarra Valley: Winery Tour with Lunch at Yering Station is a full-day adventure filled with a kind of laid-back sophistication that’s welcoming to anyone and everyone. You’re not just going to go through the regular “wine and dine” routine, checking off different wineries from your list.
Rather, it’s a seamlessly-organized string of high-quality experiences that focus on the culture, terroir, and its people, from an insider’s point of view.
Not only that, but as it’s a small-group tour, you are guaranteed a more intimate perspective to really get to know each location in-depth. With 5 different vineyard visits, you’ll see some of the biggest wineries as well as the more boutique options.
Expect to visit notably more elegant, high-end options known for their top-notch table wines, world-class cuisine, and breathtaking views.
What Makes This Tour Great
Indulgence and intimacy is what I think every great wine tour should possess, at the bare minimum, and that’s what you’ll get here. I appreciated the wineries chosen, which all seemed effortlessly luxurious, yet completely approachable for newbies who could be intimidated.
This region is known for its cool-climate wines, so if you already know you’re partial to them, you’re really going to enjoy trying these exceptional varieties.
What is really special is being able to sample some of these wines in their birthplace: Yering Station, which is one of the region’s oldest and most renowned wineries. The rustic charm and sweeping vineyard vistas is truly ideal for refined tastings, and a tasty a la carte lunch.
You’ll also get to see Payten & Jones, which is a smaller producer, with small-batch hidden gems like their chardonnay. Additionally, visit Coldstream Hills and Medhurt Vineyard which are not quite as old, but absolutely fantastic.
Reserve Tour Now and Pay Later / Free Cancellation Within 24 Hours of Tour Start Time
7. Yarra Valley Afternoon Winery Tour – Half Day from Melbourne
What You Should Know About This Tour:
- Where You Will Meet: Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Rd, Southbank VIC 3004
- Tour Length: 5 hours
- Start Time(s): 12:45 PM
- What’s Included: 3 Cellar Door Wine Tasting at the Yarra Valley’s finest Wineries, Optional Gin Tasting Experience, Premium Seating Ticket – Window Seat Guarantee, WiFi, Charging Ports, Authentic Small Group travel with an engaging Local Guide – max. 15 guests, Complimentary Barista Coffee at our convenient departure to start your day
What to Expect on the Tour
If you’re interested in the previous wine tours but don’t want to commit or don’t have the time in your schedule for a full-day experience, no need to worry! The Yarra Valley Afternoon Winery Tour – Half Day from Melbourne is the ideal alternative, while never compromising on quality or content.
This escape is ideal if you’d like to slow down and indulge in the finer things without rushing – the background of the Yarra Valley’s rolling hills doesn’t hurt, either.
Having wine and brunch is a great way to spend an afternoon with a significant other, friends, or family, set against the stunning coastal backdrop of the Mornington Peninsula. The brunch focuses on local produce and ingredients, though you’ll also try different types of wine from 3 different wineries.
Some are larger, more renowned estates while others produce interesting, small-batch wines, though each has something special to offer.
What Makes This Tour Great
It’s hard to believe that you can fit so much into just 5 hours without feeling rushed, but this tour manages to do it, thanks to knowledgeable guides and pristine organization. Tokar Estate was our first stop, where they not only showed off their delicious Mediterranean-style wines, but the Mediterranean-style friendliness to go along with it.
Their guided tastings of Shiraz, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay was incredibly insightful, and taught me a great deal about identifying tasting notes.
While Payten & Jones isn’t yet a massive estate, it’s one of my favorites, for its small-batch offerings, more intimate setting, and truly welcoming environment that makes it feel like you’re walking into a friend’s (really fancy) house.
We even had the chance to walk across the road to partake in a proper gin tasting at the 4 Pillars Gin Distillery, which I highly recommend doing! Soumah was afterward, known for their Northern Italy-esque wines, with a very serene property perfect for sitting back and soaking in the views of the rolling vineyards while sipping on the products.
Reserve Tour Now and Pay Later / Free Cancellation Within 24 Hours of Tour Start Time
FAQs About Yarra Valley Wine Tours
How far is the Yarra Valley from Melbourne and how long does it take to get there?
What types of wine tours are available in the Yarra Valley?
How long do Yarra Valley wine tours typically last?
How many wineries will I visit on a typical tour?
What's included in a typical Yarra Valley wine tour?
How much do Yarra Valley wine tours cost?
Prices typically range from:
- $120-180 USD for standard group tours
- $180-280 USD= for small group or premium tours
- $300-500+ USD for private tours
- Additional costs may include lunch and wine purchases
What types of wine is the Yarra Valley known for?
Do I need wine knowledge to enjoy Yarra Valley tours?
Is lunch included in Yarra Valley wine tours?
Should I book Yarra Valley wine tours in advance?
What should I wear on a Yarra Valley wine tour?
Are Yarra Valley wine tours suitable for children?
Can I buy wine during the tour?
What's the best time of year for Yarra Valley wine tours?
Tours operate year-round, each season offering different experiences:
- Spring (September-November): Mild weather, blossoming vines, fewer crowds
- Summer (December-February): Warm weather, lush vineyards, peak season
- Autumn (March-May): Harvest time, stunning foliage, ideal weather
- Winter (June-August): Cozy cellar door experiences, fewer tourists, possible vineyard pruning activities
Do tours include visits to attractions other than wineries?
Are Yarra Valley tours still worthwhile if I don’t drink wine?
Do I need to bring anything specific on the tour?
Will there be photo stops on the tour?
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The Ultimate Yarra Valley All Inclusive Food & Wine Tour from Melbourne is our Editors Choice for the best Yarra Valley wine tour
Shayanne is a freelance writer, wine snob and marketer based in LA, California. Describing herself as a nomad, she has lived in many different cities including Boise, Idaho and Seattle, Washington as well as Guadalajara, Mexico. She is forever on the move.
Being an extremely active person, she loves to snowboard, skateboard, and ski. She enjoys sharing her love for active sports with others through her “how to” sports guides as well as food and wine reviews. Her love for wine and good food shines through every paragraph. While she travels, Shayanne loves to try new restaurants and wineries. If there is a wineries or good restaurant in your town, you will probably meet her one day.