Chocolate and cool-climate wine. Great combo. This full-day small-group trip from Melbourne pairs 3 Yarra Valley cellar stops with a visit to the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, plus an Aboriginal art viewing at St Huberts Estate. You start at 9:30 a.m. and get a guided day built for tasting, not just passing by the views.

Two things I really like: you’re looked after step by step by your guide (Adrian runs the tour), and you get serious tasting time with 10+ wines explained as you go—Pinot, Chardonnay, Shiraz, and more. One possible drawback to weigh: lunch isn’t included, so you’ll be choosing from the St Huberts menu during the day.

Key highlights at a glance

• Up to 16 people for a more personal winery day than the big bus shuffle
• 10+ wine tastings across cool-climate styles like Pinot and Chardonnay
• Aboriginal art inside St Huberts Estate, plus time to look around properly
• Chocolate samples included at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery
• Small-group transport in an air-conditioned 8-seater Mercedes or Toyota bus

Meeting point to first sip: how the day kicks off

Your tour starts at the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square, around Flinders St and Russell St. The pickup spot is roadside bus parking by the Ian Potter Gallery, so you can find it without doing a scavenger hunt. You’ll leave at 9:30 a.m., and the schedule aims to get you out to the valley while your energy is still high.

The vibe matters on a wine day. I like that this isn’t a faceless group tour. Adrian is the guide and escort for the day, and the tour emphasizes that you’re taken care of at every step, from pickup to return. Also, the tour uses an air-conditioned VIP Mercedes-Benz 8-seater (Valante) for smaller groups, and a Toyota tour bus for larger groups. Either way, you’re not stuck in a random ride that feels built for commuting instead of tasting.

A small practical note: because you’re heading out from central Melbourne, this is one of those days where you’ll want to eat a decent breakfast beforehand. Once you’re in tasting mode, it’s much easier to enjoy the wines instead of thinking about food.

The full-day rhythm: how 3 wineries plus chocolate stays fun

This experience is built around a simple idea: you’ll see the Yarra Valley at a human pace. You’re not bouncing between dozens of stops, and the day isn’t just about collecting stamps. The planned flow is:

• St Huberts Estate (including an Aboriginal Art Gallery visit)
• Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery (with tastings/samples)
• Soumah
• Greenstone Vineyards

That works because it gives you variety. Wine in vineyards feels different from a chocolate factory, and the art gallery adds a pause that’s not just another room with tasting notes. The tour is about 7.5 hours total, with return around 4:00–4:30 p.m.—long enough to feel like a proper day trip, not so long that you feel wrecked.

Also, the tour runs as a guided day with entry included for all wineries. That means you can focus on learning what you like instead of doing ticket math in your head. And because the tour includes bottled water, you’re not scrambling for hydration between tastings.

St Huberts Estate: underground Aboriginal art and a real lunch option

The first stop is St Huberts Estate (listed as Hubert Estate in the itinerary). This is where the day adds a cultural layer before you dive fully into wine.

One of the standout elements is the Aboriginal Art Gallery showcasing Aboriginal art. The tour description notes that you’ll go underground for the gallery visit, which makes it feel like a proper destination rather than a quick glance. I like the structure here: you’re guided, then you shift into a tasting day. It helps the day feel grounded in more than just drinking.

Then there’s the practical side: lunch is available at St Huberts. The tour explicitly says you can buy your lunch there, and St Huberts offers wood-fired pizza plus fish, beef, chicken, and multiple sides. Importantly for planning, dietary restrictions are catered for, so you won’t have to guess whether there’s something suitable.

What I’d suggest: if you know you’ll want pizza, decide early once you arrive. Wine later on is easier when you’re fueled, and it’s nice not to make lunch a rushed decision.

One drawback to keep in mind: since lunch is not included, your final day cost can be higher than the headline price if you order drinks or a big meal. Still, you’re given choice, which is usually a win.

Soumah: tasting cool-climate wines in the right setting

After chocolate and art, the day heads to Soumah, a Yarra Valley winery stop designed for tasting in a vineyard setting. You’re not just tasting in a tasting room while staring at a counter. The emphasis is on wine tasting in the vineyards, with an introduction to what you’re drinking.

This is where the cool-climate focus matters. The tour highlights Australian wines famous worldwide for cool climate styles—especially Pinot, Chardonnay, and Shiraz. In practical terms, you’re more likely to find delicate aromatics and balanced structure than heavy, jammy profiles.

The tour also states you’ll taste over 10 wines across the day. That’s a lot of variety for a single day trip, so your guide’s role becomes really important. Adrian and the experience are set up to introduce the wines, so you’ll have a better chance of identifying what you actually enjoy. And since entries are included, you can treat it like a tasting workshop rather than paying to access each stop.

What to watch for: with that many pours, you may be more sensitive to flavors as the day goes on. I’d keep an eye on how you feel. If you’re the type who likes to compare glasses closely, pace yourself. If you prefer to enjoy rather than analyze, pick two or three favorites and sink into those.

Greenstone Vineyards: where the tasting day gets to the finish line

Your final winery stop is Greenstone Vineyards. By the time you arrive here, you’ve already had chocolate and art earlier, and you’ve had multiple tastings already—so this stop can be your moment to slow down.

Greenstone is part of the tour’s promise to show you “some of the very best wineries” in the Yarra Valley, and the experience keeps things practical: the tour guide and escort are with you, walking you around the vineyard and guiding the tasting process. It’s also clear the tour aims to include winery entry and keep everything logistically covered, including transport.

I also like that the tour says they don’t use truck drivers. That phrasing usually means the people running the tour are properly accredited and experienced for passenger tours, not casual drivers. You’ll be dealing with a real guide, not just someone who drops you off and vanishes.

If you want to take something home, this is usually the best part of the day to buy your favorites—because by the end you actually know what you like. Just keep in mind that wine purchases are optional and not mentioned as included.

Chocolate break at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery

The chocolate stop is Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery. This is not just a quick photo stop. The tour includes chocolate samples and bottled water, and it positions the chocolate factory as part of the new-for-summer experience.

I like adding chocolate in the middle of a wine itinerary for one reason: it resets your palate. After wine, chocolate can feel like a flavor palate cleaner, and the day stops feeling like nonstop sipping. If you’re traveling with someone who isn’t a hardcore wine person, this also gives them a point of excitement that isn’t dependent on liking Chardonnay.

Be ready to linger a bit here. The tour includes samples, but you might choose to buy extra chocolates or ice cream on your own. If you do, plan your timing so you don’t arrive at the next winery feeling like you need a nap.

Transport and group size: small bus comfort without the stress

This tour stays comfortable because of the vehicle choices. You’ll travel in an air-conditioned VIP Mercedes-Benz 8-seater or a Toyota tour bus for larger groups. It’s a meaningful detail: on longer day trips, comfort makes it easier to enjoy the ride and not dread the return journey.

The group size cap is maximum 16 travelers. That’s a sweet spot for wine tours: big enough to have energy, small enough that the guide can keep an eye on the group and keep explanations moving.

It also helps that pickup is centrally located at Federation Square, so you’re not spending half your morning searching for a meeting point. You’ll also receive a mobile ticket, which is convenient for day-of check-in.

Price and value: what you’re really paying for

The price is $63.83 per person, which is low enough that you might wonder what’s included. The answer is: a lot is built in. You get transport, a tour guide for the day, entry to all wineries, wine tastings (including Pinot, Shiraz, Chardonnay and many more), and chocolate samples. You also get the Aboriginal Art Gallery visit at St Huberts Estate.

Lunch isn’t included, and that’s the main way the tour keeps costs controlled. But you’re given a real dining option at St Huberts with wood-fired pizza and multiple mains, and dietary needs are catered for.

So the value question becomes simple: if you’d otherwise pay for transport into the Yarra Valley, winery entries, and guided tastings, this price looks sensible. If you only want one winery tasting and you’re not interested in chocolate or art, then it could feel like too much. But if you want a full Yarra Valley sampler day with guidance, it’s a solid deal.

One more scheduling tip: it’s commonly booked about 19 days in advance, so don’t wait until the last minute—especially for popular weekends.

Who this tour fits best (and who may prefer something else)

This is a great match if you want:

• A guided wine tasting day without navigating logistics
• A blend of wine, chocolate, and culture (not just wineries)
• A group size that stays manageable—up to 16
• A guide-led explanation of what you’re tasting, not just a pour and go

It’s also a nice option if you’re a Melbourne local. Getting out to the Yarra Valley with a plan can feel surprisingly different from arranging it yourself, especially because the schedule is structured around tastings and entry.

You might choose a different style if you strongly prefer:

• A flexible, slower day where you can linger at each place without a set schedule
• A fully self-guided tasting route with no curated stops

But for most people doing their first Yarra Valley trip—or for people who just want the easy, guided version—this is an efficient, enjoyable day.

Should you book? My quick call

Book it if you want a small-group Yarra Valley day that mixes wine tasting, chocolate sampling, and Aboriginal art at St Huberts Estate—all with a guide handling the flow. The price looks fair for the number of wineries, the included tasting set (over 10 wines), and the transport from central Melbourne.

Hold off if you’re allergic to the idea of a long day trip, or if you don’t want to pay for lunch on top. Also, because this includes multiple tastings, keep in mind you’ll be sampling alcohol throughout the afternoon—so go in with a relaxed mindset and plan to take it easy.

If you’d rather just pick a single winery and stay put, then you’ll probably enjoy a simpler alternative. But if you want variety and a guided overview of what the Yarra Valley tastes like, this is a smart bet.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 9:30 a.m.

How long is the tour?

The duration is approximately 7 hours 30 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $63.83 per person.

How many wineries do you visit?

You visit 3 wineries in the Yarra Valley.

Does the tour include wine tasting?

Yes. You’ll taste over 10 wines, including styles like Pinot, Chardonnay, and Shiraz, with wine tastings included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but you can buy lunch at St Huberts Estate.

Do you get chocolate samples?

Yes. Chocolate samples are included at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery.

What’s the transport like?

You travel in an air-conditioned VIP Mercedes-Benz 8-seater or a Toyota tour bus for larger groups.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time.