Chocolate and wine tasting tour in the Yarra Valley.

Yarra Valley wine country is close enough to Melbourne for a full day out, and this tour pairs three winery visits with a stop at a chocolate factory. Guide and owner Adrian leads the day, with tastings of more than 10 wines and a visit to the Aboriginal Art Gallery at Hubert Estate.

I like the personal guiding and the mix of winery, art, and chocolate stops: the day is about more than moving from one tasting counter to the next. I also like that lunch is your choice at Hubert Estate, though it is not included in the price, and a 7.5-hour outing is a long day if you prefer a shorter tasting visit.

• Three wineries, plus chocolate: Visit Hubert Estate, Soumah, and Greenstone Vineyards, with a stop at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery.
• More than 10 wine tastings: Expect examples of cool-climate Pinot, Chardonnay, and Shiraz, among other wines.
• Art beneath the winery: Hubert Estate includes an underground Aboriginal Art Gallery.
• Lunch is flexible, but extra: Choose from Hubert Estate’s menu, including wood-fired pizza and other dishes.
• Small group, city pickup: The tour leaves at 9:30 a.m. from Federation Square and takes up to 16 people.

From Federation Square to the Yarra Valley

The meeting point is outside the Ian Potter Centre at Federation Square, on Flinders Street near Russell Street. The tour leaves at 9:30 a.m. and returns to the same point around 4 to 4:30 p.m., making it a straightforward day trip if you are staying in central Melbourne.

The drive to the Yarra Valley takes about an hour. That transfer is part of the appeal: you do not need to rent a car, navigate country roads, or decide who will skip the wine. Adrian drives and guides the group, using an air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz eight-seater or a Toyota tour bus for larger groups.

The group has a maximum of 16 people. The vehicle may feel more intimate in the Mercedes, while a larger group may use the Toyota bus. The tour description does not promise a particular vehicle, so if the vehicle matters to you, check with the operator before booking.

Adrian says he personally escorts the group around the vineyards rather than handing the day over to a driver. That matters on a multi-stop trip: you have one person coordinating the schedule and introducing the wines as you go. The operator also states that the vehicle and driver have Victorian government accreditation.

Hubert Estate: Wine, art, and a proper lunch break

Hubert Estate is the first winery stop and the place to plan your meal. You can buy lunch here, with a full menu that includes wood-fired pizza, fish, beef, chicken, and side dishes. Dietary requirements are catered for, according to the tour information, but it is sensible to tell the operator about any needs in advance.

Lunch is not included in the tour price. That gives you room to choose what suits your appetite and budget, but remember to factor in the cost of a meal when comparing the tour with other day trips. You are not limited to a fixed group lunch or set dish.

The estate also has an underground Aboriginal Art Gallery. It gives the stop a different focus from wine tasting alone, and adds a cultural visit to a day otherwise centered on food and drink. The tour includes entry to the gallery, so you do not need to arrange a separate ticket.

This is a useful place to pause and reset before the next tastings. You can eat, see the art, and take stock of the wines you have tried so far. The trade-off is that your time here has several possible uses, so if you want to linger over lunch and explore the gallery, keep an eye on the group’s schedule.

Yarra Valley Chocolaterie: A sweet change of pace

The next stop is Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery. Chocolate samples are included, giving you a chance to try the factory’s products without treating every taste as a purchase. You can also buy chocolate or ice cream, but those extras are not listed as included.

This stop breaks up the wine visits in a practical way. It gives your palate a change of direction and makes the day more appealing if not everyone in your party is equally keen on wine. The tour is still built around winery tastings, though, so do not book it expecting a chocolate-focused outing.

The available details do not specify how long the group spends at the Chocolaterie or which samples are served. Think of it as a tasting stop, not a full factory tour with a guaranteed production demonstration. If chocolate is the main reason you are interested, check the day’s plan with the operator before setting your expectations.

Soumah: Cool-climate wines in the valley

Soumah is the second winery on the route. The Yarra Valley is known for cool-climate wines, and the tour introduces you to varieties such as Pinot, Chardonnay, and Shiraz, along with other wines. Across the day, you will taste more than 10 wines.

That number gives you a useful range for comparing styles, rather than a single quick pour at each stop. Pay attention to which wines suit you, and ask questions if you want to learn how the different varieties compare. The experience is described as guided wine tasting with an introduction to the wines, though no specific tasting notes or individual wines are guaranteed.

The winery visit is also a chance to see the region beyond Melbourne’s city streets. The tour highlights vineyard scenery and views, but exact conditions depend on the day and season. You are coming for a guided overview, not a long hike or an extended stay at one estate.

Greenstone Vineyards: One last winery visit

Greenstone Vineyards is the final winery stop. Together with Hubert Estate and Soumah, it gives the day three separate winery settings without asking you to plan transport between them. Entry to all the wineries and the day’s transport are included.

By this point, you will have sampled a range of wines and had a break for chocolate and lunch. If you are new to Australian wine, the variety can help you work out what you like. If you already know your favorites, you can use the tastings to compare producers and styles, while keeping in mind that the exact wines may vary.

Three wineries make for a full tasting day, especially when you add the drive, lunch, and chocolate stop. Pace yourself, drink the bottled water provided, and remember that tasting is not the same as finishing every pour. The aim is to enjoy the wines and the countryside, not to race through a checklist.

What the price covers, and what it does not

The listed price is $63.83 per person. It includes transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, Adrian’s guiding, entry to the wineries, wine tastings, bottled water, chocolate samples, and access to the Aboriginal Art Gallery. Lunch is extra, as are any purchases you choose to make at the wineries or Chocolaterie.

That is a useful bundle for a full-day trip: transport between Melbourne and the valley, several tasting stops, and a guide are all covered. The value is strongest if you plan to sample wine at each winery and would otherwise need to arrange a designated driver or pay separately for transport and tastings.

The headline price is not the whole day’s cost, since lunch and optional purchases sit outside it. Consider how much you are likely to spend on food and souvenirs, and check the current price before booking. The tour information says there is no more to pay for the included elements, but it does not cover your personal purchases.

Who will get the most from this tour

This outing suits visitors who want a guided introduction to the Yarra Valley without hiring a car. It also works well for Melbourne residents who want a wine-country day without planning the route themselves. One person’s experience described the tour as enjoyable for both locals and visitors, and the setup supports that mix: a guide, several stops, and no need to know the region in advance.

It is a good fit for couples or small groups with varied interests. Wine is the main event, but the chocolate samples and art gallery add options for anyone who wants more than cellar-door visits. The free-choice lunch is another plus for groups with different tastes or dietary needs.

It may be less suitable if you want a slow, private tasting at one winery, a tour devoted only to chocolate, or a day with no group schedule. You visit three wineries and a chocolate stop in about seven and a half hours, so the pace is designed to cover several highlights. The group may have up to 16 people, which is small enough for a guided outing but not a private tour.

The tour is open to most participants, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation at the city meeting point. The supplied details do not specify step-free access or other mobility arrangements, so ask the operator directly if those details affect your plans.

Before you book

The tour runs from 9:30 a.m. to roughly 4 or 4:30 p.m., starting and ending at the Ian Potter Centre at Federation Square. Allow the full day, including the drive each way. The experience is booked, on average, 19 days ahead, which is a helpful planning clue but not a guarantee that a particular date will sell out.

The booking includes free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. If the minimum number of participants is not met, the operator may offer another date or experience, or a full refund. Confirm the current terms at booking, especially if your Melbourne dates are fixed.

Book this tour if you want an easy, guided day of Yarra Valley wine, chocolate, and a little art, with lunch left to your choice. Skip it if you want a private itinerary or a long, unhurried visit at just one winery. For most wine-curious visitors, the combination of three wineries, more than 10 tastings, and included transport makes this a practical way to see the region.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts outside the Ian Potter Centre at Federation Square, on Flinders Street near Russell Street. The tour returns to the same meeting point.

What time does the tour leave?

Departure is at 9:30 a.m. The tour lasts about seven and a half hours and is expected to return around 4 to 4:30 p.m.

How many wineries does the tour visit?

The itinerary includes three wineries: Hubert Estate, Soumah, and Greenstone Vineyards. It also stops at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery.

Is lunch included?

No. You can buy lunch at Hubert Estate, where options include wood-fired pizza, fish, beef, chicken, and side dishes. Dietary requirements are catered for.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes transport, a guide, winery entry, wine tastings, bottled water, chocolate samples, and entry to the Aboriginal Art Gallery at Hubert Estate.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not met, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.