Amazing Yarra Valley Wine Tour + Chocolate, Farm Fresh, Gin

A full Yarra Valley tasting day, minus the driving. This small group tour strings together strawberries, wine, chocolate, and optional gin, with transfers handled for you. You meet at Arts Centre Melbourne Spire at 8:45 am, and you only need a mobile ticket instead of wrestling with traffic.

I love how the day mixes farm-fresh fruit with proper hosted wine tastings at Yering Station and Yering Farm, so it feels like more than just another sip-and-photo stop. I also love the chocolate pacing and variety at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, where you get a guided tasting of up to 12 hand-crafted creations before lunch.

One catch: lunch at Quarters inside St Hubert Estate is not included, and some tastings after lunch can cost extra, so plan a little spend beyond the $93.24 ticket price.

Key highlights to know before you go

• 10 to 20 guests keeps the day feeling personal, and it makes the tastings easier to enjoy without rushing people.
• All-inclusive tastings means you are not doing mental math mid-tour, at least for the included wine and food tastings.
• Fresh strawberries and seasonal add-ons at Yarra Farm Fresh, plus a limited-time complimentary punnet offer (while supplies last).
• Yarra Valley classics with hosted tastings at Yering Station and Yering Farm Wines.
• Chocolate tasting up to 12 creations at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, with a guided format.
• Gin flight is optional and runs on specific days, with either Stag Lane Farm Distillery or Four Pillars Distillery.

How the Yarra Valley tasting day works from Melbourne

This is a straightforward, full-day Melbourne to Yarra Valley setup. You meet at Arts Centre Melbourne Spire, specifically at the cafe stand called Protagonist, at 8:45 am, and the tour aims to depart at 9:00 am sharp. It is designed to get you out of the city fast, with transportation between Melbourne and the valley included.

The group size is small, capped at 20 travelers (often 10 to 20). That matters because wine, gin, and chocolate tastings go down smoother when you are not fighting for attention in a giant crowd. You end back in central Melbourne at ACMI (Federation Square, Flinders Street), aiming for 5:30 pm or earlier.

Two practical notes I’d bake into your plans: lunch is on your own tab (details later), and summer heat can be real. The tour also is not suitable for people with mobility issues, especially where stairs are involved at some venues.

Start with Yarra Farm Fresh strawberries and seasonal fruit treats

Most days begin with Yarra Farm Fresh, a 40-minute stop that sets the tone for the whole experience. This is where you sample the region’s fruit focus, with fresh strawberries plus seasonal fruit and local jams. It is a nice shift from pure wine talk, and it is also a good way to snack before tastings start stacking up.

If you’re a strawberry person, this stop is doing real work. You also have a limited-time perk: a complimentary punnet of strawberries per booking is included while the offer lasts (until 28 February 2026, subject to availability). So if you love bringing food back to your hotel or apartment, this is the moment to take advantage.

One thing to keep expectations tidy: the day can include venue swaps depending on operations and conditions. The tour notes that some stops may change, so if you have a must-see item, it’s smart to confirm close to your date.

Yering Station winery tasting at a Yarra icon

Next up is Yering Station, usually the second hosted wine stop on most days, with 50 minutes here. This estate is often described as iconic, and it’s known as the oldest winery in the Yarra Valley. In practical terms, that means you’re not just tasting wine, you’re stepping into a very established part of the region.

Hosted tastings are the key word. You are guided through pours rather than wandering a cellar door like you’re doing a self-guided homework assignment. That’s especially helpful if you want to learn what you like without spending your day behind a menu.

Timing is balanced too. Fifty minutes is enough to taste, ask a few questions, and reset for the next leg, without turning the tour into a constant queue. If you prefer slow, deep vineyard time, you should know this is a multi-producer itinerary, so the pace stays fairly active.

St Hubert Estate at Quarters: lunch break plus optional after-lunch tastings

Then it’s time for the St Hubert Estate stop, typically around lunch with about one hour on site. You eat at Quarters, St Hubert’s bistro, and you can buy meals and drinks to match your appetite and budget. The tour schedule places lunch at roughly 11:45 am, so do not skip breakfast.

Here is what makes this stop more than just a place to recharge. You also have time to explore the cellar door, the wine shop, and an indigenous art gallery. That mix is a big part of why this tour feels like an experience day, not only a tasting circuit.

After lunch, there are optional extras. The tour offers the chance to do additional wine, gin, or whisky tastings at St Hubert Estate, usually for an extra A$15 per person. So if you want to keep your spending tidy, focus on what’s included and treat the after-lunch tastings as optional add-ons rather than assumptions.

Yering Farm Wines: a rustic pour with an apple cider finish

After lunch, you’ll head to Yering Farm Wines, usually a 45-minute stop. This winery is described as charming and rustic, with classic Yarra Valley wines as well as an apple cider option to finish your tasting.

That cider piece is a small detail that makes a real difference. If you’re doing wine tastings all morning and early afternoon, having a non-wine finishing option helps you keep your palate from feeling flat. It also gives you a different flavor angle to compare with what you tasted at Yering Station earlier.

The tour also notes a tasting-detail catch you should be aware of. At Yering Farm Estate, the wine tastings can include an apple cider sample, but on rare occasions the venue may be unavailable due to private events or closures. If a substitute winery is used, the apple cider tasting may not be included. It’s not common, but it’s worth knowing so you are not surprised if your day changes slightly.

Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery for up to 12 hand-made chocolate creations

Next is Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, typically the fifth stop, with about 45 minutes. This is the guided chocolate tasting portion of the day, and it includes up to 12 hand-crafted chocolate creations. If you like comparing flavors, textures, and sweetness levels, this is one of the most satisfying stops on the itinerary because it feels purposeful rather than random.

The pacing is good here. After wine and fruit, chocolate can either be too much or perfectly timed. With the guided format, you get structure, and you can slow down enough to enjoy it instead of power-sampling to fit the schedule.

If you also like ice cream, this stop is positioned as an ice creamery as well. The tour data specifically calls out the chocolate tasting, so focus on the chocolate portion as the guaranteed plan, and treat any ice cream as a bonus if it’s available.

Gin distillery flight options: Stag Lane vs Four Pillars

If you choose the full tasting experience option, you’ll get a gin tasting flight at a local distillery. What distillery you visit depends on the day, and that’s part of the fun because it means your schedule shapes your tasting.

• Stag Lane Farm Distillery is on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
• Four Pillars Distillery is on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Both distillery stops are about 45 minutes, and they include a guided gin flight tasting served with a mixer. If you are the sort of person who likes learning what makes gin different across producers, this is where you’ll likely feel the most “wow, I didn’t know that” moments of the day.

The tour also gives you a planning heads-up. If nobody in your group chooses the gin distillery experience, the final stop is extended by about 15 minutes and the departure timing is adjusted to keep the return smooth. That’s useful because it means the itinerary is designed to avoid dead time, even if you skip the gin portion.

What you really get for $93.24, and what can cost extra

At $93.24 per person, this tour has strong value if you want an all-in-one day that covers transport and multiple tastings. You are not renting a car, and you’re not spending time figuring out which cellar door is open, where lunch fits, and how to line up tastings without running late.

A lot of the price logic comes from included tastings and a small-group size. The tour highlights that it includes tasting fees for ease, so you are not paying separately at every stop for the experiences that are part of the day. That adds up fast in places where tasting charges are common.

Now, the extra-cost reality check. Lunch is not included, and meals at Quarters are something you pay for yourself. Also, optional tastings at St Hubert Estate after lunch can add cost, usually around A$15 per person. Finally, gin depends on which option you pick, since the gin flight is tied to choosing the full tasting experience.

So I’d treat the ticket price as your foundation, then budget a little for lunch and optional add-ons if you want them. That approach keeps the day fun instead of financially annoying.

Who this Yarra Valley tour fits best, and who should be cautious

This tour is a good match if you want to sample a bunch of Yarra Valley flavors in one day without doing logistics. You get fruit, wine, chocolate, and optional gin, and the tour format is built around hosted tastings and transfers, so you can actually enjoy the day instead of managing it.

It’s especially worth it if you are:

• visiting Melbourne for a short stay and want a full day out
• interested in comparing wines and spirits from different producers
• traveling solo or in a small group and want a friendly structure

There are also a few reasons you might choose another style of tour. Because the stops are timed (many around 40 to 50 minutes), this is not a slow, one-estate, do-it-at-your-own-speed day. And if you can’t handle stairs, the tour notes it is not suitable for mobility issues.

Also, keep your expectations aligned about alcohol and weather. The tour specifically warns it can be hot and sunny in summer, so pace yourself, drink water, and don’t stack too many tastings back-to-back.

Should you book this Yarra Valley Wine Tour with chocolate and optional gin?

I’d book it if you want a smart, food-forward Yarra Valley day that combines farm-fresh fruit, serious tasting stops, and a guided chocolate session, all with transport handled. The small-group format is a real quality-of-life upgrade when you are tasting multiple items, and the itinerary gives you variety instead of repeating the same thing three times.

Skip or reconsider if you want a long, lounging winery visit where you can disappear into a cellar door for hours, or if you need accessibility accommodations for stairs. And if you hate surprises in your budget, remember lunch at Quarters is extra, and optional tastings after lunch can add cost.

If you like the idea of tasting across different categories, with a plan that gets you back to Melbourne by about 5:30 pm, this is a very practical way to experience the Yarra Valley in a single day.

FAQ

What time does the tour start, and where do I meet?

You meet at 8:45 am in front of Arts Centre Melbourne Spire. The best way to find the exact spot is to look for the cafe stand called Protagonist at the front of the landmark.

How long is the Yarra Valley wine tour?

It runs for about 8 hours 30 minutes. The plan is to return to the drop-off point in Melbourne by 5:30 pm or earlier.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch at St Hubert Estate is at Quarters and is not included, so you buy your own meal and drinks. Lunch time is approximately 11:45 am, so eat breakfast first.

Are wine and chocolate tastings included, or do I pay at each stop?

The tour is described as all-inclusive for tasting fees for ease, and it includes hosted tastings at the listed wineries and a guided chocolate tasting. Tastings after lunch at St Hubert Estate (wine, gin, whisky) can require an additional fee.

Is the gin flight part of the tour?

Gin is optional, tied to choosing the full tasting experience. Depending on the day, you’ll go to either Stag Lane Farm Distillery or Four Pillars Distillery for a guided gin flight tasting with a mixer.

What food and fruit stops are included?

You visit Yarra Farm Fresh to sample fresh strawberries plus seasonal fruit and local jams. You also visit Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery for a guided chocolate tasting of up to 12 chocolate creations. A complimentary punnet of strawberries is included for a limited time (subject to availability).

What if the weather is bad?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled due to extreme weather, you are offered an alternative date or a full refund.

Is this tour suitable for children or people with mobility issues?

Children aged 4 to 17 are welcome, but they will not be served alcohol tastings. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility issues, particularly due to stairs at some experiences.