A great Yarra day starts with choice. This tour mixes wine, cider, gin/beer, and chocolate into one small-group day with live acoustic music and a relaxed rhythm.

I like that you get proper tastings at multiple stops, not just a quick sip and shuffle.

The one thing to plan for: lunch isn’t included, so you’ll pay at the winery restaurant (St Huberts or Domaine Chandon).

Quick take: what makes this tour work

• Small-group feel (max 22) with a bus that’s intentionally not jammed full
• A mix-and-match drink day: wine tastings plus either Four Pillars gin or Watts River beer
• Real tasting time at the chocolate stop with a private sampler (10–12 chocolates)
• Live acoustic guitar and a fun, social vibe on the way between venues
• Practical Melbourne meetup at 74 Spring St, East Melbourne, near the Railway Station

Why this Yarra Valley tour feels less like a schedule, more like a day out

If you want the Yarra Valley but hate the feeling of being rushed from one place to the next, this route is built for you. The stops are planned, but the pace stays calm enough that you can actually taste, look around, and talk to your guide and the group.

You’ll also like the variety. Many wine tours stay strictly wine-focused. Here, you’ll have chances to add cider, gin, beer, and chocolate—so the day feels fun even if you don’t love every glass the same way.

Price and what you’re really getting for $93.24

At $93.24 per person for about 8 hours 30 minutes, the value is in the included tastings and drinks, not in a fancy included lunch. Your ticket covers the driver/guide, the vehicle, live entertainment, and tastings/consumptions across multiple venues—plus the chocolate tasting is included.

What “good value” looks like on this tour:

• You’re not paying extra for every tasting stop.
• You’re getting a mix: vineyard flights and a distillery or brewery paddle plus a private chocolate sampler.
• You’re also getting help from the guide, who keeps the day running smoothly so you don’t have to plan transport between scattered wine spots.

The trade-off is simple: lunch costs extra. You’ll order/pay at the winery restaurant when you get there, which can be a downside if you were hoping this ticket covers your whole food bill.

Getting there: the 74 Spring St meetup and how the vehicle works

The tour starts at 74 Spring St, East Melbourne (near the Railway Station) at 9:00am and returns you back to that same area. It’s one of the easier Melbourne meeting points to find, especially if you’re using public transport.

Transport is by an air-conditioned vehicle. When it’s busy, they run a 24-seat bus plus a smaller 13-seat van. Either way, they keep the main bus from being completely full to preserve that intimate, chatting-friendly vibe. The cap is 22 travelers max.

One practical note: there’s no space for luggage. If you’re traveling light, fine. If you’re carrying bags, plan on leaving them somewhere before your tour.

The day’s flow: 4 tasting stops plus lunch plus a big food-and-drink finish

Expect a day that’s heavy on tastings and light on “waiting around.” You’ll hit multiple venues with tasting sessions, and the midday portion is where you’ll choose between two lunch setups.

By the end, the chocolate stop is the anchor. Then the day wraps up back at the meeting point. If you’re someone who likes to keep energy up, you’ll be glad the itinerary is broken into shorter venue blocks rather than one long sit-and-sip session.

Also, count on bathroom breaks. Reviews call out that there are plenty of chances to use facilities across the stops, which makes a huge difference on a long day.

Stop 1: Yarra Valley introduction and how the early tastings set your mood

The day begins with a Yarra Valley stop that acts like a warm-up—your first tasting time and a chance to get oriented before the bigger cellar-door sessions. It’s a good moment to reset your palate and decide how adventurous you want to be with your next pours.

You’ll also get the social side early: the guide and group mix right away, and live acoustic guitar helps keep the mood easy while you head into the vineyards.

Yering Farm Wines: small, family-run, and famous for cider as much as wine

One of the highlights is Yering Farm Wines, a small boutique family-run vineyard. Plan for a tasting that typically runs 5–6 wines plus an incredible Pink Lady Apple Cider.

This is the stop for you if:

• you want something less formal and more personal
• you’re curious about cider as a serious pairing drink
• you like your tastings with a friendly, local feel

The main consideration is that small venues can mean tighter spaces inside. If you’re the type who needs lots of personal room, just be ready for close-up tasting interaction.

Tokar Estate: a 5-wine tasting with wide range and big views

Next up is Tokar Estate, where you’ll get a wine tasting of 5. The lineup is described as varied—think medium-bodied reds, plus options like pinot grigio, sweet dessert styles, sparkling, and even unfiltered options.

The reason this stop works well is variety. If the first winery taught you what you like, Tokar is where you test it. If you’re still undecided, it’s where you might discover a new favorite style.

And yes, the views matter here. The setting is a big part of the appeal, so if it’s a clear day, take a minute after your tasting to look out before you start buying bottles.

St Huberts Cellar Door lunch: Quarters with QR ordering

Midday lunch is at St Huberts Estates in the restaurant called Quarters. The menu is QR coded, so you’ll likely order via your phone and then get served by staff.

Important: lunch is not included in the tour price. It’s also not just a quick snack stop—the time slot is long enough to actually eat, relax, and reset before the distillery/brewery portion.

One practical upside: QR ordering tends to move faster than traditional menus when a group lands at the same time. If you dislike lingering waits, this system helps.

Domaine Chandon as the lunch swap

Not feeling St Huberts? There’s an alternative: Domaine Chandon. If you choose (or if your group arrangement brings you here), you get 80 minutes in their lounge bar area to enjoy lunch and/or drinks at your own expense.

This option keeps the day from feeling stuck. It’s also a good backup if you’d rather keep your lunch tied to a specific venue style.

Four Pillars Distillery vs Watts River Brewing: choose your paddle

Here’s the fun decision point. The standard plan includes Four Pillars Distillery, where you try 4 gins on a paddle with tonic or soda to mix. You’ll also hear how the distillery makes the gin, and the tasting is paced like a group-friendly activity rather than a stiff lecture.

If gin isn’t your thing, you’ll often be offered a swap to Watts River Brewing instead, with a paddle of 4 beers included in the tour price. It’s a local craft brewery and a favorite for people who want something a bit more casual than a cellar-door.

One more smart option: if you keep it wine-first, you may be able to switch the gin stop for Payten & Jones Wines instead. That’s a good path for you if the distillery/paddle portion feels like too much alcohol variety and you’d rather focus on wines.

Payten & Jones Wines: a wine swap when you want more wine time

At Payten & Jones Wines, the stop is 30 minutes and centers on wine tasting—described as 5 wines in the general preview style of the day’s tastings. It’s positioned as an alternative to the Four Pillars gin part.

If you’re someone who came to the Yarra for the wine first and foremost, this swap makes the tour feel more “on purpose” and less like a buffet of drinks.

Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery: the included 10–12 chocolate tasting

The best candy-shop stop on this route is Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery. You get a private tasting of 10–12 chocolates over about 25 minutes, and that tasting is included.

After the tasting, you’ll have time to buy chocolate if you want, and there’s an ice cream area too. This is a great late-day stop because it also helps you cool down if you’ve had several alcoholic tastings earlier.

If you’re worried about sweetness overload, don’t be. The tasting format is structured—so you’ll taste, compare, and then decide what you actually want to purchase.

The human part: guides, music, and group energy on the bus

The vibe is often powered by the guide. Reviews mention guides like Callum, Matt, Andrew, Peter, and the tour team’s overall fun tone. A common theme: guides keep the day relaxed, answer questions, and adjust when people ask for advice on what to do next.

You’ll also hear live acoustic guitar during the experience. Some groups also build a shared music vibe using a group playlist system, which can be a nice touch if you like having the ride feel social.

Two practical tips if you want the best day:

• Bring a water bottle habit. You’ll drink tastings; water helps your palate.
• If you have a music request or a comfort need, mention it early so the guide can respond before the bus gets settled.

Should you book this tour? (My practical decision guide)

Book it if you want a laid-back Yarra Valley day with a lot of included tastings and more variety than a typical wine-only itinerary. It’s especially strong if you like social tours, don’t mind paying for lunch separately, and you’re curious about mixing styles—wine, cider, gin/beer, then chocolate.

Skip it if you hate alcohol-heavy days or you specifically want a wine tour with zero detours into other drinks. Also skip if you’re coming with luggage—this one doesn’t have storage for it.

If you’re somewhere in the middle—wine plus fun plus a good chocolate stop—this is a solid bet.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It runs for about 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) and starts at 9:00am.

Where does the tour start and end?

You meet at 74 Spring St, East Melbourne VIC 3002, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What’s included in the ticket price?

The price includes the driver/guide, live acoustic entertainment, tastings/offerings at multiple venues, beverages (including alcoholic beverages), and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle. The chocolate tasting is also included.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included in the price. You’ll pay/order at the lunch stop at St Huberts Cellar Door (Quarters) or at Domaine Chandon depending on the day’s lunch option.

Do you offer both gin and beer tastings?

You’ll try Four Pillars gin as part of the plan, but there’s also an option to switch to Watts River Brewing for a beer paddle instead.

Is the tour small group?

Yes. It’s described as a small public group with a maximum of 22 travelers. They also use a 24-seat bus (not filled to the brim) and a 13-seat van when needed.

Can I bring luggage or get hotel pickup?

No hotel pick-ups are included unless you can meet on the way without a detour, and the tour states there is no space for luggage of any sort.