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Yarra Valley: Wine, Gin, Cider & Chocolate Group Tour

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1/48

Duration8h

GroupUp to 23

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Yarra Valley flavors laughter new friends and a bus playlist

You’ll join a small group day trip from Melbourne to Yarra Valley for wine tastings, local cider, gin or craft beer paddles, plus a private chocolate tasting session. With flexible stops and plenty of laughs along the way, you’ll get time to explore scenic vineyards and relax over lunch before heading back with new friends — and maybe a sweet tooth.

Step-by-step itinerary

Pick up and chat with group
Drive 55 minutes to first venue
Taste 5-6 wines and Pink Lady cider
Taste 5 wines with scenic views
Lunch at Quarters or Chandon lounge
Choose gin tasting or brewery visit
Option for private wine tasting instead
Choose chocolate tasting or winery visit

The Experience

I didn’t expect the bus to be so lively that early — someone put Fleetwood Mac on the playlist and suddenly we were all humming along as Melbourne faded behind us. Our guide, Tom (he’s got this dry humor), kicked things off by getting everyone to share where they’re from. I ended up next to a couple from Perth who’d never tried pinot noir before. The drive out to Yarra Valley is almost an hour, but you start seeing those rolling hills about halfway in and it’s like the city just drops away. You can smell eucalyptus through the open windows if you sit near the front — or maybe that was wishful thinking.

The first winery was tiny and family-run; I still remember the winemaker’s hands — stained red, moving quick as he poured us a cloudy apple cider that tasted like autumn. We tried six wines there (the shiraz was punchy) and someone asked if we could see the vines up close. “Just don’t eat the grapes,” Tom grinned. There was this moment when everyone went quiet for a second, just looking out at rows of green under that weirdly perfect sky — not blue exactly, more like washed denim.

Lunch wasn’t included but honestly, I liked picking whatever I wanted at Quarters (I got the roast pumpkin salad; no regrets). Some people split off to check out Chandon after eating — apparently their sparkling is famous but I stuck around for a peek at the Indigenous art museum inside St Huberts Estate. After lunch you get options: gin at Four Pillars (their distillery smells like oranges and juniper), or beer at a spot that feels more like your mate’s garage than a brewery. I picked gin but kind of wished I’d tried both…

The last stop was pure sugar rush at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery — ten little chocolates lined up in front of me and I probably made too many “mmm” noises. There were kids running around outside with ice cream dripping down their arms; it felt messy in a good way. By then everyone on our group tour was swapping numbers or talking about dinner plans back in Melbourne. Funny how sharing drinks with strangers turns them into friends for an afternoon. Still think about that cider sometimes.

What’s included

Your day includes transport from Melbourne in an air-conditioned bus with space to spread out, all tastings at four venues (wine, cider, gin or beer), entry to each stop including private chocolate tasting at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, plus guidance from a local host who keeps things friendly and flexible throughout the trip — just bring money for your own lunch choice midday before heading back together as dusk rolls in.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Teepee Tours