Melbourne: Yarra Valley Food, Wine, Chocolate & Gin Tour

The Yarra Valley makes a fine day out from Melbourne: in about eight hours, you’ll sample local fruit, taste wines at three estates, pause for lunch and finish with 12 chocolates. The route mixes cellar doors with countryside, and guides such as Rick, Bernie and Mel add local history and a bit of humor along the way.

I like two things in particular: the variety, which gives you more than a run of wine tastings, and the included bottle of wine for each full-paying adult. One thing to plan for: lunch and gin are not included in the $91 price, so your final cost will be higher if you choose the winery meal or a gin tasting.

The day at a glance

• Three winery stops: Taste wines at St Hubert’s Estate, Tokar Estate and Rochford Wines.
• A fruit tasting to start: At Yarra Farm Fresh, try local produce before the cellar doors.
• A bottle to bring home: Each full-paying adult receives one bottle of wine.
• Lunch is extra: Allow $25 to $45 for a la carte dining, or upgrade on the day to a gourmet lunch with a glass of wine for $50.
• Chocolate and optional gin: Taste 12 chocolates at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie; gin tasting at Rochford costs $25.
• A guide-led day trip: Expect regional stories, scenic driving and, if you are lucky, kangaroo sightings.

From Federation Square to the fruit farm

Meet opposite the Forum Theatre, in front of the Federation Square entrance, and look for the Rick’s Wine Tours bus. The bus is due at 8:15 a.m., with departure from Melbourne CBD at 8:30. The drive to the Yarra Valley takes about an hour, a useful stretch for the guide to introduce the region and its connection with Melbourne.

The bus ride is part of the day, not just a transfer. Guides including Rick, Bernie and Mel have been praised for sharing local history, keeping the group entertained and spotting wildlife from the road. One guide even made a short detour to show the group kangaroos. Sightings are not guaranteed, of course, but keep an eye out as the city gives way to countryside and historic towns.

The first tasting is at Yarra Farm Fresh, where you spend about 25 minutes sampling local fruit. It is a simple, pleasant opener, and a good reminder that the valley’s food culture is not limited to wine. Some visitors have also enjoyed local spreads such as tomato relish, jam and chutney. The stop is brief, so think of it as a taste rather than a full farm visit.

St Hubert’s Estate: wine, grounds and art

At St Hubert’s Estate, the guided tasting includes four premium wines and lasts about 45 minutes. Cellar door staff lead the tasting, giving you a chance to compare styles and ask about the wines rather than simply work through a flight on your own.

There is more to this stop than the tasting. You can stroll the grounds and visit the Indigenous Art Gallery, adding a cultural element to a wine-focused day. The estate also has the Notes Wine Store, where an additional tasting is included. The free bottle of wine is a welcome extra, though the exact bottle or style may vary.

This stop is often a highlight for its setting and polished cellar door atmosphere. Give yourself a moment to look around rather than treating it as a quick pour-and-go stop. If you are already eyeing purchases, remember that space on the minibus may be limited, so keep shopping modest or bring a bag that can fit close at hand.

Tokar Estate: a boutique tasting

The next stop is Tokar Estate, where a guided tasting of three handcrafted wines takes around 30 minutes. The smaller number of pours keeps the day moving while offering a contrast with St Hubert’s larger tasting.

This is a useful point in the itinerary to notice how wines can differ from one estate to the next. You are not asked to spend the whole day at a single winery, and that variety is part of the appeal. The trade-off is that each stop has a fixed time. If a particular wine or cellar door captures your interest, you may wish you had longer to linger.

Rochford Wines: tasting, lunch and free time

Rochford Wines is the longest stop, with about two hours set aside for a guided tasting, lunch and free time. The tasting introduces another estate’s wines, while the open stretch gives you a chance to eat at a more relaxed pace and explore the venue. Optional gin tasting is also available here.

Lunch is not included in the tour’s $91 starting price. You can order from the restaurant menu, with a suggested budget of $25 to $45 per person, or upgrade on the day to a gourmet lunch with a glass of wine for $50 per person. No BYO lunch is allowed. If you are watching your budget, check the menu before you travel and decide what you are comfortable spending.

The meal is a real part of the day, not a small snack between tastings. Food gives you a pause, and it is sensible to eat before the final tasting stops. Reports of excellent lunches are common, but restaurant choices and the selected venue can affect the meal. If you have a strong preference, ask what is available on the day.

Gin tasting costs $25 per person and is an optional extra. It is a good fit if you want to try something beyond wine, but you do not need to add it to get a full day. The time at Rochford is also your chance to stretch your legs, enjoy the setting and take a break from the minibus.

Chocolate at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie

The final tasting stop is the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie. You get 12 artisan chocolates, followed by time to shop. The tasting itself takes about 25 minutes, with roughly 30 minutes for browsing and purchases.

This sweet finish changes the pace after several winery visits. The range of flavours makes the tasting more than a token bite, and the shop gives you a chance to take something home beyond the included wine. One practical note: the tasting may take place in the main shop, where it can be harder to hear the explanation if the space is busy. If you want the details, stay close to the person leading the tasting.

After the stop, the bus returns to Melbourne, with arrival scheduled for about 4:45 p.m. The drive takes around 70 minutes. That makes this a full day, but still leaves your evening free if the return runs to plan.

What the $91 price gets you

At $91 per person, the core package covers transport, a host and driver, three winery visits with wine tastings, the guided chocolate tasting, the fruit stop and one bottle of wine for each full-paying adult. For a day that takes care of the route and tasting arrangements, that is strong value, especially if you would otherwise need to arrange transport between estates.

The value depends partly on what you spend beyond the base fare. Add $25 to $45 for a la carte lunch, or $50 for the gourmet lunch with a glass of wine. Gin adds another $25. For a realistic budget, think of the tour as $91 plus food, and then add gin only if it appeals. Wine or chocolate purchases are extra, too.

The included bottle matters. It gives the day a tangible takeaway and makes the price easier to weigh against a self-planned outing. Still, you should not book expecting lunch or gin to be part of the advertised fare. Those costs are separate.

The bus, pace and practical details

The tour lasts about eight hours, with an early CBD departure and a return in the late afternoon. The route has several short transfers between stops, but the overall day includes substantial time in the minibus, particularly on the drive back. The vehicle has been described as comfortable by some, while others found the minibus tired or short on room for purchases. If you plan to buy wine, chocolate and other goods, pack light and avoid assuming there will be a large luggage area.

The tour runs rain or shine and requires at least four people to operate. It is in English and is not suitable for children under 14 or wheelchair users. Check availability for the departure time, and confirm the meeting point before the morning of your tour. The pickup is opposite the Forum Theatre at the Federation Square entrance; city works can sometimes affect the exact spot.

The schedule is busy but not frantic. Tastings are spread across three wineries, with fruit and chocolate providing a change of flavour and focus. If you prefer long, unhurried visits at one or two estates, this format may feel too packed. If you want a broad first look at the valley without renting a car, it makes practical sense.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend this outing if you want a guided introduction to the Yarra Valley and enjoy food as much as wine. It suits couples, friends and solo visitors who are happy to share a minibus and spend a full day with a group. The mix of tastings, lunch, chocolate and regional commentary also works well if you have only a few days in Melbourne and want an easy day trip.

The guide can make a noticeable difference. Rick, Bernie and Mel are among the guides named by people who have taken the tour, and the best parts of the day often include their stories, humor and help with the group. You will get more from the drive if you enjoy conversation and local context, rather than expecting a silent shuttle between wineries.

Consider another option if you want a private itinerary, generous time at each estate or a tour with all meals included. This one keeps the base price manageable by leaving lunch and gin as choices, but you need to budget for them. It is also not the right fit if you are under 14 or use a wheelchair.

Should you book?

Book this tour if you want a varied, well-organized day outside Melbourne and are comfortable with a group schedule. Its strongest points are the three different winery stops, lively guides, included bottle and the welcome switch from wine to fruit and chocolate. Set aside extra money for lunch, and treat gin as an optional bonus rather than part of the deal. If that balance suits you, it is a practical way to sample the Yarra Valley without driving.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet opposite the Forum Theatre, in front of the Federation Square entrance. Look for the Rick’s Wine Tours bus.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about eight hours. The listed schedule departs Melbourne at 8:30 a.m. and returns at about 4:45 p.m.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes transport, a host and driver, wine tastings at three wineries, a guided chocolate tasting, the fruit stop and one bottle of wine for each full-paying adult.

Is lunch included?

No. You can order from the restaurant menu, with a suggested budget of $25 to $45 per person, or upgrade on the day to a gourmet lunch with a glass of wine for $50 per person. BYO lunch is not allowed.

How much does gin tasting cost?

Optional gin tasting at Rochford Wines costs $25 per person.

What ages can join the tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under 14.

Can wheelchair users join?

No. The tour is listed as not suitable for wheelchair users.