Wine and chocolate, one smooth day trip. This Yarra Valley tour pairs winery tastings (10+ wines) with a visit to the Yarra Valley Chocolate Factory, plus a stop at St Huberts Estate for an underground Aboriginal Art Gallery. I like that it’s guided start to finish, not a pick-up-and-hope situation. One catch: lunch isn’t included in the $70 price, so you’ll budget extra for food at St Huberts.

I also like the personal feel: Adrian, the business owner and your host, travels with you and keeps the day moving at an easy pace. The day is built around tastings (Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Chardonnay are on the menu), not long, boring travel-only segments. Since it runs rain or shine, bring the right layer so your day stays comfortable.

If you’re short on time in Melbourne but still want a real taste of the Yarra Valley, this is a great fit. Just be ready for a full day outdoors and in cellar doors—good for wine lovers, less ideal if you hate tours or prefer totally DIY wandering.

Key things to know before you go

• Three winery tastings with wine included (over 10 wines sampled)
• Chocolate Factory stop with a quick tasting plus shopping time
• St Huberts Estate includes an Aboriginal Art Gallery visit (underground) and guided time
• City pickup and return from the Ian Potter Centre NGV Australia area, with air-conditioned transport
• Lunch is on you (plan around St Huberts wood-fired pizza options)

A full day in the Yarra Valley: wine, chocolate, and St Huberts Estate

This is the kind of day trip that makes sense if you want maximum payoff with minimal planning. You get a guided run through the Yarra Valley wine region, plus a Chocolate Factory visit that breaks up the day nicely. It’s not just about drinking. The structure is built around tasting rooms, short visits, and time to ask questions—especially with your guide, Adrian, steering the day.

The Yarra Valley itself is a big part of the appeal. Even from the road, you’re looking at vineyard country that feels different from the city—clean air, open views, and a slow change of pace. And because you’re traveling with the tour host, you’re not stuck figuring out where to park, when to line up, or how to time tastings.

One practical thing I appreciate: the day is timed so you’re not rushing every hour. The itinerary uses the drive time well, then clusters the tastings where your palate can actually enjoy them. You do want to pace yourself with the wine, because tastings are part of the experience, not a light snack.

Getting there from Melbourne: pickup point and transport comfort

You start in central Melbourne at the Ian Potter Centre NGV Australia area—on Flinders Street opposite the Forum Theatre, on the other side of the road. If you’re meeting by bus, look for the white Mercedes-Benz (the tour uses an 8-seater Mercedes or a 22-seat Toyota bus, depending on the departure).

The tour leaves at 9:30am and the return is around 4:00 to 4:30pm, so plan for a proper day out. There’s about a 1-hour drive to the Yarra Valley wine region. That timing matters because it helps keep your schedule smooth: you’re not arriving starving and you’re not tasting wine right after an all-day commute.

Transport is air-conditioned, which is a real win in Victoria summers. Also, you avoid the usual stress of organizing car rides with friends who don’t want to be designated drivers. Since the tour doesn’t include alcohol in the vehicle, you’re focused on the tastings at the stops—not on drinking during the drive.

Soumah of the Yarra Valley: your first tastings and how to make them count

Your first winery stop is Soumah of the Yarra Valley, with around 40 minutes for wine tasting. This is where you get your palate in gear. You’ll sample a range that includes styles like Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, and Chardonnay.

Here’s how I’d use this part of the day if I were you: start by paying attention to what each wine is doing, not just whether you like it. Ask your guide what the winery is known for (your guide can help you connect the dots), and then note your first impression:

• acidity and freshness (does it feel crisp or soft?)
• body (light, medium, full)
• finish (does it end quickly or linger?)

This first stop is also your warm-up for the rest of the day. If you go in trying to “taste everything perfectly,” you’ll miss the fun. Better plan: pick one or two favorites, then try to understand why those are your picks.

One more plus: you’re guided around the tasting experience. That can help if you don’t usually know what to ask at a cellar door. If you do know wine, it still gives you context—especially when you’re comparing styles across multiple tastings later.

St Huberts Estate: lunch choice and an underground Aboriginal Art Gallery

Lunch happens at St Huberts Estate, and this is a standout stop for reasons beyond wine. You’ll also get a guided visit that includes the Aboriginal Art Gallery at the estate, with the added twist that you go underground for the art space.

The lunch setup is flexible. You have about 1.5 hours there, with free time to buy your own meal. St Huberts is known in the tour description for wood-fired pizza, with meals typically in the $20–$30 range. That means the tour price keeps it lean, then gives you options based on your appetite.

If you’re the type who likes to sit down, relax, and refuel before more tastings, this is a good moment to do it. If you’re traveling solo, it’s also easier because the day has built-in structure—no hunting for food while your group moves on.

A small timing note: the art gallery visit is guided (about 15 minutes). That’s enough time to get something meaningful without turning the day into a museum marathon. And it adds a human layer to the trip, since you’re not only moving through wine rooms.

Greenstone Vineyards: the final tasting and finishing strong

After chocolate, you end with another winery tasting at Greenstone Vineyards, with about 45 minutes to taste. This longer block is great because by this point you’ll have a better sense of what you enjoy. Early tastings teach your palate. The final tasting lets you apply what you learned.

Greenstone is the part of the day where you can be pickier. If you found Pinot Noir lighter and easier to drink earlier, you can focus there. If Shiraz was the winner, now you can see which one matches your style of preference—spice, fruit weight, or a smoother finish.

If you’re buying wine to take home, this is also a good moment to compare. You’ll have enough memory of what you liked from the earlier tastings. But don’t feel pressured to buy. The real value is the sampling and the chance to understand your own taste.

The day’s flow also helps: you’re not doing the “big tasting” at the start when everything is still new. By the time you hit Greenstone, you’re ready to taste with intention.

Yarra Valley Chocolaterie: chocolate tasting, then shop

The tour includes a visit to the Yarra Valley Chocolate Factory, often called the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie. You’ll get a short food tasting (about 5 minutes), plus shopping time for around 25 minutes.

This stop is small on paper, but it does a big job. Chocolate resets your palate in a way wine doesn’t. It also gives you a non-alcoholic, fun break so your day doesn’t feel like a tasting marathon.

I’d use the tasting moment like this: sample first, then shop based on what you actually enjoyed. If you’re buying gifts, your 25 minutes disappears fast, so look for options that are easy to pack and share. If you’re buying for yourself, try to grab a few styles rather than betting everything on one flavor.

One helpful benefit mentioned in the tour details: there’s skip-the-line access through a separate entrance. That saves time when a factory shop is busy.

Wine styles you’ll taste (and how to stay sane with 10+ samples)

The wine tastings include over 10 wines, and the listed styles cover:

• Pinot Gris
• Pinot Noir
• Shiraz
• Chardonnay

That combination is smart for a first Yarra Valley visit. It covers both whites and reds, and the guide can help you compare the way each style tends to show up in the region.

To stay sane, plan to do three things:

1. Take small sips at each pour. You’re tasting, not chugging.
2. Keep track mentally of what you liked, even if you can’t describe it perfectly.
3. Eat something regularly. You’ll have lunch time at St Huberts, but also keep in mind that tastings can sneak up on you.

Also, bring a sense of humor. You’ll hear a lot of wine talk. Your job isn’t to remember every detail. It’s to notice your own reactions.

Price and value: is $70 a fair deal for this day?

At $70 per person, you’re paying for city pickup and return, air-conditioned transport, a live guide all day, entry into the winery stops and Chocolate Factory, and tastings that total 10+ wines. Lunch is not included, but St Huberts gives you the chance to buy what you want—often around $20–$30, and the pizza is specifically called out.

So where’s the value? You’re not just buying a ticket to a place. You’re buying time saved and decision-making removed. Without a tour, you’d spend energy organizing three different wineries, figuring out timing, and lining up—especially if you’re doing it in a limited time window from Melbourne.

The day is also paced to fit a full workday schedule. Start at 9:30am, back by mid-afternoon. That makes it easier to justify than tours that run late into the evening.

If you hate crowds, this isn’t a private driver-only experience—it’s a group tour. But the itinerary is structured and guided, so the day doesn’t feel chaotic.

Who should book this Yarra Valley wine and chocolate tour?

This tour is a strong match if you:

• want a guided Yarra Valley day without dealing with logistics
• like trying multiple wine styles in one trip
• enjoy chocolate and want a factory stop that’s fun, not complicated
• prefer an experienced host like Adrian rather than winging it

It’s also good for solo travelers. The day structure means you’re never waiting around with no plan. The guide is there in the background, and the stops keep your schedule flowing.

It may be less ideal if you:

• want lunch fully included at the base price
• dislike group formats or long sit-ins at tasting rooms
• need accessible accommodations beyond what the tour lists (for example, certain mobility devices aren’t allowed)

Practical tips to make the day smooth (and comfortable)

Bring:

• sunglasses
• sunscreen
• a jacket

Plan for:

• rain or shine (it runs in all weather)
• no oversize luggage, and no smoking in the vehicle
• no bare feet and no large bags
• English live tour guide, so it’s best if you’re comfortable with English narration

Also, this tour isn’t suitable for children under 18, and it doesn’t accept bachelor or bachelorette party groups. If that applies to you, look for a different kind of wine day out.

One last tiny strategy: wear comfortable shoes. Even if you’re not hiking, you’ll move between venues, tasting areas, and shops. You’ll enjoy the day more if your feet aren’t angry by 2pm.

Should you book? My take

If you’re deciding between DIY Yarra Valley plans and a guided day, this tour is worth serious consideration. The big reasons are simple: guided tastings at multiple stops, a real chocolate highlight, and an extra cultural stop at St Huberts with the Aboriginal Art Gallery underground experience. You also get city pickup and return, which makes the whole thing feel effortless.

Book it if you want a well-timed introduction to the Yarra Valley—without spending hours researching venues and booking separately. Skip it if you need lunch included in the price, or if you’re picky about group tours.

If you’re on the fence, I’d go with this logic: the $70 gets you transport, entry, and tastings. You’ll spend a bit more on lunch anyway, but you’re paying for a structured day that’s designed to keep you tasting and learning, not just traveling.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the tour?

You meet on Flinders Street directly opposite The Forum Theatre, on the other side of the road.

What time does the tour leave and when do we return?

The tour departs at 9:30am and returns around 4:00 to 4:30pm.

How long is the tour in total?

The total duration is 450 minutes (about 7.5 hours).

Is lunch included in the $70 price?

No. Lunch is not included. You can buy lunch at St Huberts Estate, with options typically around $20–$30.

How many wines are included in the tastings?

Wine tasting is included, with tastings of over 10 wines during the day.

Is there time for chocolate shopping?

Yes. There’s time to shop at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie after the tasting.

What transport is used for the tour?

The tour uses an air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Valente 8-seater or a Toyota 22-seat tour bus, depending on the departure.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes. The tour takes place rain or shine.

Is the tour suitable for children?

No. It is not suitable for children under 18 years.