Yarra Valley wine region guide
The Yarra Valley wine region is on Melbourne’s doorstep, offering country charm just outside the city. In less than an hour you can be among gorgeous green farmland with some of Victoria’s best wineries in reach. For a day trip or a wine weekend, the Yarra Valley is an obvious choice for those interested in cool-climate Victorian vino.
Where is the Yarra Valley wine region?
The Yarra Valley lies just to the east of Melbourne, Australia. It encompasses suburbs in the northeastern outskirts of the city, and stretches out to encompass the beautiful Yarra Ranges National Park.
The main towns are Healesville, Coldstream, Yarra Glen and Warburton, which are between 50 and 80 minutes’ drive from the centre of Melbourne. It’s also possible to get there via public transport, and there are many tour options (public and private) departing from Melbourne CBD or within the valley. Check out our complete guide on how to get to and around the Yarra Valley.
History
The Yarra Valley became home to Victoria’s first vineyard in 1838, when grapes were planted at Yering Station. Later that century, as Melbourne boomed thanks to the Victorian goldrush, other vineyards were established, including names that are still on the map today like St Hubert’s, Yering Farm, and Yeringberg.
In the early 1900s, winemaking in the region declined due to economic depression, changing consumer preferences and unfavourable growing conditions. Much agricultural land was put to other uses until a new generation of winemakers revived the industry in the 1960s. Now, the region has almost 3000 hectares under vine and over 80 wineries, and receives global acclaim – not to mention many visitors, from Melburnians on weekend escapes to interstate and international tourists.
The Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation have lived in this area for tens of thousands of years.
What kinds of wine is the Yarra Valley wine region known for?
One of the most southerly regions in Australia, the Yarra Valley has a cool climate influenced by the Southern Ocean. It gets mean temperatures of just 18.9 degrees celsius in January (during the Australian summer), and 559mm of rainfall during the growing season. Varied vineyard altitudes mean grapes are grown in different microclimates across the region.
The main grape varieties grown in the Yarra Valley are pinot noir, chardonnay, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon, though producers these days play with many other varieties as well. The chardonnay and pinot noir from the coolest sites in the area are used to make high quality sparkling wines in the méthode traditionelle – even a champagne giant has put down roots here, with Chandon Australia located in Coldstream.
Wineries to visit in the Yarra Valley
Base yourself in Healesville and you can visit several cellar doors on foot, including:
- Giant Steps, a slickly renovated cellar door with various tasting options
- Payten & Jones, an industrial setting with airbrushed murals giving brewery-like vibes
- Jayden Ong, a chic wine bar with fine food and minimal-intervention wines
- Boat O’Craigo, with vineyard views and cheese or chocolate pairings to accompany your tasting.
With a car (or on a private tour), you can explore everywhere across the region. Some spots to consider include:
- Domaine Chandon, the Australian outpost of French champagne house Moët & Chandon, with an amazing range of sparkling wines
- Soumah, showcasing Italian varietals that thrive in this part of Australia
- Coombe, the former home of Dame Nellie Melba
- Yering Station, home of Australia’s first vineyard
- Yering Farm, a rustic barn setting
… to name just a few!
When to visit the Yarra Valley
From lush vineyards in summer to misty mornings in winter, the Yarra Valley is always beautiful. You’ll find wineries making the most of the seasons with outdoor music in the warmer months and events like the Fireside Festival mid-year.
How long to stay in the Yarra Valley
Being so close to Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is easily visited in a day. Most full-day tours visit about four wineries (or there are options that include other attractions like the popular Chocolaterie and cheese shops, with fewer cellar door visits).
But you could easily spend two, three, four or more days here experiencing the region’s diverse delights. I highly recommend spending a long weekend in the area to explore and relax.
Where to stay in the Yarra Valley
Staying in the heart of Healesville means you can walk to cafes and restaurants, supermarkets and even several cellar doors in town. There are lots of cute holiday homes and cottages available to rent, like Stargazer, a sleek little guesthouse for two.
Accommodation near Yering, Yarra Glen, and Coldstream will mean you’re within easy reach of many wineries by car. Yarramunda BnBs have beautiful, thoughtfully-designed homes for one or two couples with stunning views. Some wineries also offer onsite accommodation.
Warburton is another town offering several cafes and shops to explore, but it’s a little further away from where the wineries are concentrated.
Other things to do
You can’t have good wine without good food, and the valley is a foodie heaven. Stock up on picnic platter essentials with stops at these gourmet providores:
- Yarra Valley Dairy, which offers tastings of the fresh, creamy-style cheeses made on site with milk from local cows and goats
- Kitchen & Butcher, a little deli in Healesville where you’ll find meats, preserves, snacks and goodies for the ultimate grazing board
- Cheesemonger Sophie, stocking local and international fine cheeses and all the accompaniments
A little something sweet from the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie won’t go astray to top it off.
Feeling outdoorsy? Enjoy fresh forest air with a range of short hikes.
- The Toolangi State Forest has the Wirrawilla rainforest walk (a short, accessible boardwalk) and loop trails up to 10km long taking you through cool temperate rainforest of myrtle beech, sassafras and ferns.
- Maroondah Reservoir Park just outside of Healesville has landscaped gardens and picnic areas plus bushwalking trails around an impressive dam.
- On Mount Donna Buang, where the Rainforest Gallery boardwalk lets you experience the magnificent environment from canopy level, and a lookout at the peak gives 360-degree views of the ranges.
You can also cruise along the Black Spur Drive, a winding 28km road among mountain ash and fern trees. When sunlight sparkles through the canopy, it’s simply magical. Continue from its end point in Narbethong to Marysville where you can find short walks to several waterfalls.
Looking for more areas to explore? We’ve got you covered. Explore Victorian wine regions.
