Yarra Valley wine tour: Private tasting at family wineries

Skip the crowded vineyards and taste what the locals actually drink

A private wine tour of Yarra Valley's family-owned wineries with a licensed guide, tastings at three estates, gourmet lunch at Soumah Wines, and a final stop at either Four Pillars Gin Distillery or Yarra Valley Chocolaterie. The eight-hour day moves past the valley's most-visited spots to reach the producers who've run their vineyards for generations.

Step-by-step itinerary

Yarra Valley wine and gourmet tour

• Visit Stefani Estate winery
• Taste wines at Stefani Estate
• Enjoy tutored tasting at Soumah Wines
• Have gourmet lunch at Soumah Wines
• Relax with wine or cider at Yering Farm
• Choose visit to Four Pillars Gin or Chocolaterie

The experience

Most visitors to Yarra Valley cycle through the same handful of popular wineries. This tour skips that loop and takes you to producers who've built their reputation quietly (Stefani Estate, Soumah Wines, and Yering Farm) each one run by families who know their land inside out. Your licensed guide handles the route and the storytelling, so you taste without the logistics of driving between sites or figuring out what you're drinking.

The day opens at Stefani Estate, a boutique winery with three single vineyard sites across different elevations. You'll taste hand-crafted wines: Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from The View site at 300 meters above sea level, then Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz from The Gate vineyard in the warmer Warramate foothills. Lunch follows at Soumah Wines, known for award-winning Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, set down a country lane with views across the Warramate Hills. A tutored tasting walks you through the wines before the meal arrives.

Your third stop is Yering Farm, a rustic shed where the reds (especially their Pinot Noirs and Cabernet Sauvignon) are the draw, though their cider made from 100% premium pink lady apples is worth trying if you want something lighter. At the end of the day, you choose: Four Pillars Gin Distillery for a true Australian craft gin, or Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery for freshly made artisanal chocolates and desserts before heading back.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a fully licensed and accredited tour guide.
• wine tastings at three family-owned wineries.
• gourmet lunch at Soumah Wines.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• entry and tasting at either Four Pillars Gin Distillery or Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Ami Tours

Is this one for you?Book this private tour if you want to move at your own pace and skip the valley's most-visited spots. The guide handles the driving and the story, so you focus on the wine and the people behind it. A shared group tour would split the guide's attention and lock you into a fixed schedule. This one keeps the day yours.

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Top questions

What's the difference between the three wineries on this tour?

Stefani Estate focuses on single vineyard sites at different elevations, each producing distinct varietals; Soumah Wines specializes in award-winning Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with valley views; Yering Farm offers approachable entry-level and premium wines, with standout reds and their own cider from pink lady apples.

Do I have to buy wine at the wineries, or is tasting included?

Wine tastings at all three wineries are included in the tour price. Any bottles you choose to purchase are your own expense.

What happens at the fourth stop? The gin distillery or chocolaterie?

You pick one at checkout. Four Pillars Gin Distillery offers tastings of Australian craft gin. Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery serves freshly made artisanal chocolates, pastries and desserts. Either way, it's a short visit before the tour wraps up.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food is it?

Yes, a gourmet lunch is included at Soumah Wines as part of the tour. The meal is served after a tutored tasting of their wines.

How does the private tour work? Do I travel alone, or with other people?

This is a private tour, so you and your group travel together in an air-conditioned vehicle with your own licensed guide. No other bookings are combined into your departure.