Wine and chocolate in one laid-back day.

This Yarra Valley trip is built for people who like their tastings social and their schedule flexible, with included stops for wine and cider, plus gin or beer, and a sweet stop at the chocolaterie. I also like the small-group size (kept intimate on purpose) and the easy start at 74 Spring St in East Melbourne near the railway area.

You’ll get a proper mix of experiences instead of just one style of drinking. A first winery stop includes wine tasting with live acoustic guitar, and the day keeps room for your group to influence what happens next.

One consideration: lunch isn’t included. You’ll order and pay at either St Huberts Estates (Quarters) or Domaine Chandon (lounge bar), so budget extra if you’re hungry.

Key things you should know before you go

• Small-group feel by design: max 18 booked spots, with a second smaller van (13 seats) if needed
• Tastings at multiple venues: included tastings at four venues, with 6–7 pours at each of those stops
• Gin or beer options (your choice on the day): Four Pillars gin paddle OR Watts River beer paddle (both included)
• Cider and wine at Yering Farm: includes 5–6 wines and an impressive Pink Lady Apple Cider
• A proper chocolate experience: private tasting of 10–12 chocolates, then time for purchases and ice cream
• No luggage, no hotel pickup detours: you meet at the central Melbourne spot, and you’ll want to travel light

Meeting in East Melbourne and why the day feels relaxed

The day starts at 9:00am at 74 Spring St, East Melbourne. It’s positioned for easy public-transport access, so you’re not dealing with a half-hour scavenger hunt to find your van.

The trip is built around being laid-back, which matters on a wine day. You’re on an air-conditioned vehicle, and they intentionally don’t fill the big bus all the way—even when it’s near capacity—so the group stays closer and the atmosphere stays friendly.

Live entertainment is part of the vibe, too. Expect an acoustic-guitar performance at the first winery stop, and the day carries that same easy pace through the tastings.

The Yarra Valley tasting lineup (and what each stop is really like)

This tour mixes classic cellar-door wine with fun, modern Aussie drinking, then tops it off with chocolate.

1) A first Yarra Valley winery stop with tasting + acoustic guitar

Right out of the gate, you’ll head into the Yarra Valley for a tasting stop that includes wine and live entertainment. This first stop is a good setup: you get into the rhythm early, see the region’s winery mood, and your guide helps you pace yourself before the later, more specific tastings.

If you’re sensitive to noise or party energy, this is still a more social stop than a quiet tasting room—but it stays casual rather than performative.

2) Yering Farm Wines: wines plus Pink Lady Apple Cider

At Yering Farm, you’ll try 5–6 wines along with a standout cider experience: Pink Lady Apple Cider. This is the kind of stop that changes people’s minds about cider—because it’s not just sweet and sugary. It’s included in the tastings, and it gives you that cider-versus-wine comparison right away.

The setting is described as small, boutique, and family-run, which usually means more personal energy at the table and a smoother flow through the pours.

3) Tokar Estate: views and a broad tasting range

Tokar Estate is another tasting stop where you’ll sample 5 wines. The emphasis here is on variety—think medium-bodied reds, pinot grigio, sweet dessert-style wines, sparkling options, and unfiltered styles.

This is one of the stops that fits well if you don’t want to spend all day stuck in one flavor track. You’ll get enough variety to find what you personally like, then move on without it feeling repetitive.

4) St Huberts Cellar Door lunch at Quarters (not included)

Midday is lunch time at St Huberts Estates at the Quarters restaurant. This is also where the practical details show up: the menu is QR-coded, and you order with wait staff.

Lunch itself is not included in the tour price, so you’ll pay for what you choose. The payoff is that it’s placed right in the middle of the day at a winery venue, so you don’t lose time commuting.

5) Domaine Chandon option if you prefer lunch there

If you’d rather switch lunch plans, Domaine Chandon is the alternative. You’ll have about 80 minutes at their lounge bar for lunch and drinks at your expense.

This option is handy if you’re a fan of sparkling-style wineries or just want a different atmosphere for your meal.

6) Four Pillars Distillery: gin paddle of 4

One of the signature stops is Four Pillars Distillery. You’ll do a paddle of 4 gins with tonic or soda to mix, and you’ll get an explanation of how they make their gin in their newer distillery setup.

If gin is your thing, this is the moment to lean in. You’ll leave with a feel for their range rather than just one safe pour.

7) Watts River Brewing option: beer paddle of 4

Not in the gin mood? You can swap to Watts River Brewing. Instead of the Four Pillars gin paddle, you’ll try 4 beers on a paddle, included in the price, and you’ll get the story of the local craft operation.

This is a great option if you want lower-proof refreshment while keeping the tasting format the same.

8) Payten & Jones option: wine tasting instead of gin

If you want to keep things wine-forward, Payten & Jones can replace the gin stop. You’ll get a wine tasting there instead, with one of the “best wine of the day” style picks built into that experience.

So the tour can actually flex depending on what you want more of: gin, beer, or straight wine.

9) Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery: private chocolate tasting + time to buy

This is a highlight for anyone with a sweet tooth. You’ll have a private tasting of 10–12 chocolates over about 25 minutes, then you get time to buy what you like.

There’s also an ice cream section in the factory area, which makes this feel like a full stop, not just a quick taste and go.

Price and value: does $93.24 make sense for this day?

At $93.24 per person, you’re paying for transportation, a driver/guide, live entertainment at the first stop, and multiple included tastings across wineries plus a distillery or brewery experience, followed by a paid-style chocolate flight that’s included.

The value really comes from the “mix” you can’t easily recreate solo without renting a car and timing everything yourself. You get wine and cider at Yering Farm, wine variety at Tokar, then you add gin or beer (or even keep it wine-only), and finish with a chocolate tasting you wouldn’t normally bundle into a wine tour.

The one cost you should expect on top is lunch. Since lunch isn’t included (and you’ll be ordering and paying at Quarters or Domaine Chandon), budget for that meal, especially if you want a sit-down lunch with drinks.

Transportation reality: timing, group size, and what can feel tight

You’ll be on a day trip around 8 hours 30 minutes. That’s a decent length for hitting several tasting experiences without turning it into an all-day grind.

The group is capped, and they don’t fully pack the big bus on purpose to keep the day intimate. Still, when the vehicle is busy, some people note that seating can feel tight. If you’re tall, bring comfy shoes and plan for a bit of closeness—this is part of the bus-tour tradeoff.

Also plan to travel light. There’s no space for luggage of any sort, and you don’t get hotel pick-ups unless you can meet them on the way without a detour.

Best fit: who this tour suits (and who might want a different day)

This works best for you if:

• you want a relaxed, social wine day with included tastings
• you like variety: wine plus cider, then gin or beer, then chocolate
• you’re fine paying for lunch at the venue because the tour gives you the tasting structure and transport

You might want another option if:

• you expect a quiet, staff-does-everything-their-way, slow educational tasting experience
• you’re traveling with luggage you can’t leave behind
• you’re not interested in alcohol options (since beverages and tastings are a core part of the schedule)

If you’re deciding last minute: book or skip?

If you’re coming to Melbourne and you want an easy, low-planning day in the Yarra Valley, I’d book this. The biggest win is that you don’t have to make complex choices on your own—you get a guided path with enough flexibility to steer toward gin, beer, or extra wine.

But do it with your eyes open: lunch is extra, and you’ll want to keep your expectations aligned with a public group tour. If that sounds like your idea of a good time, this is a smart value way to sample what the Yarra is known for.

FAQ

FAQ

Where do I meet for the tour in Melbourne?

You’ll meet at 74 Spring St, East Melbourne VIC 3002, and the tour returns back to that same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:00am.

How long is the tour?

It runs about 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.).

What’s included in the price?

The price includes beverages, driver/guide, local guide, wine tastings, alcoholic beverages, air-conditioned vehicle, and included tastings at four venues (6–7 tastings at each).

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the price. You’ll order and pay at St Huberts Estates at Quarters or at Domaine Chandon’s lounge bar, depending on what you choose on the day.

Can I choose gin or beer during the day?

Yes. You can do a gin paddle at Four Pillars, or you can swap to a beer paddle at Watts River Brewing. There’s also an option to do a wine tasting at Payten & Jones instead.

How many chocolate tastings do I get?

You’ll have a private tasting of 10–12 chocolates at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, followed by time to buy chocolate and visit the ice cream area.

How big is the group?

This is a public group tour with a maximum of 22 travelers. The operator books up to 18 spots to keep the experience more intimate, and they may use a second smaller van (13 seats) when busy.

Do they pick you up from hotels?

No hotel pick-ups are offered unless you can meet them on the way to the Yarra Valley without it becoming a detour.

Does the tour require good weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.