Wine tastings with a proper lunch.

This 10-hour small-group Yarra Valley day is built around four different wineries, so you get variety instead of repeating the same style all day. I like how the schedule mixes classic, well-known names with smaller producers, then drops you into Yering Station for an a la carte lunch in a stunning setting.

Two things I particularly like: you start with a wine-and-cheese pairing at De Bortoli, and lunch at Yering Station is the kind of meal that makes the day feel like more than just tastings. One thing to consider is the pace and the alcohol: this is an all-day wine experience (morning nibbles, multiple tastings, and a glass of wine with lunch), so it helps to drink water and eat steadily.

Key highlights you’ll feel right away

• Small-group feel that keeps the day personal rather than rushed
• 4 winery stops that show contrast from site to site
• Yering Station lunch with a la carte choices, plus a glass of wine
• De Bortoli cheese pairing to teach your palate early
• Payten & Jones for approachable small-batch wines with character
• Medhurst Vineyard with family-owned charm, and smart substitutions on closed days

A 10-hour Yarra Valley day that actually feels organized

The tour runs for about 10 hours with hotel pickup in central Melbourne areas like East Melbourne, Southbank, Fitzroy, and Melbourne City. You’ll tour by coach, and the big win here is the “small-group” approach. That matters on wine tours because you’ll get time to ask questions and actually talk through what you’re tasting instead of waving at a guide from across a bus.

I also like the way they manage your day with food. You get morning nibbles, a cheese platter at De Bortoli, and then a sit-down main course a la carte lunch at Yering Station. Add in bottled water, and you’re set up to taste without feeling stuffed or stranded with no plan.

One practical heads-up: smart casual dress code is required, and you can’t wear sandals/flip-flops or singlets/thongs. Also, oversize luggage isn’t allowed, and the tour isn’t suitable for wheelchair users.

If you’re wondering about the “human factor,” guides vary by date. You may meet Paul, Rob, Adrian, Cam, or Shane, and the common theme is that they explain wines in plain language and keep the day moving at a comfortable pace.

De Bortoli at Dixons Creek: cheese first, so your palate gets a head start

You head out from Melbourne in the north-east direction, passing through bushy suburbs before you arrive around Dixons Creek. The morning stop is De Bortoli, where you start with a pairing of selected wines and cheeses. Expect this to feel elegant rather than chaotic, because it’s paced as a guided introduction.

Why this is a smart start: cheese pairings don’t just taste good. They teach you what to notice. The salt and fat in cheese help you pick up on wine traits like acidity, fruit, and weight in a way that’s harder to catch when you start with wine alone.

This stop includes tastings (about 45 minutes) and also a cheese platter. If you’re new to wine, this is where you’ll likely build confidence fast. If you’re a wine nerd, you can use it to sharpen your “what am I really tasting” brain before the day gets more serious.

Yering Station: the original vineyard vibe, plus lunch with serious views

Yering Station is the emotional center of the day, and you’ll feel why as soon as you arrive. This is tied to the first vineyard in the Yarra Valley (dating to 1838), and the day includes tasting in the original winery (circa 1859). That combination of age, craft, and place gives the tasting a sense of occasion.

You’ll do a tasting of estate wines, and the setting includes local artworks and produce, which makes it more than just a room with a tray of glasses. The guide usually uses the surroundings as a way to add context about the valley and the vineyards, without turning it into a lecture.

Then comes lunch. You’ll head to Yering Station’s restaurant with world-class views, and you get an a la carte selection for your main course. You’ll also include a glass of wine with lunch and coffee afterward, so you’re not stuck drinking on an empty stomach or paying extra for the meal part of the day.

A key detail for choosing what you want: because it’s a real restaurant with choice, you can match your food to your wine preferences. If you tend to enjoy chardonnay or pinot noir styles, you can order a main that won’t fight those flavors. If you don’t want to overthink it, you can simply choose what sounds best and let the pairing do the work.

Lunch lasts about 1.5 hours, which is long enough to slow down. This is one of those stops where you’ll probably want a moment to look out before your next tasting.

Payten & Jones: small-batch wines for people who want personality

After lunch, the pace shifts from “iconic estate” to “smaller producer with a point of view.” The next stop is Payten & Jones, known as one of the smaller wineries in the Yarra Valley.

What I like about this kind of stop: you’re not only sampling wine. You’re sampling decisions—what varietals they choose, how they treat batches, and the style they aim for. Payten & Jones produces small-batch, approachable wines with personality, including familiar chardonnay and pinot noir plus syrah and some Mediterranean varietals.

The tasting time is about 45 minutes, which gives you enough room to taste multiple pours without feeling like you’re being rushed out the door. If you’ve had a long day of crisp whites, this is a good chance to test reds like syrah and see how the valley’s cool-climate character shows up in bolder flavors.

Medhurst Vineyard (or substitutes on Tue/Wed): family-owned, foothills setting, lighter lineup

The final vineyard stop is Medhurst Vineyard, a family-owned operation established in 1999 on about 35 acres. It sits in the foothills of the Warramate Ranges, with a pleasing elevation that helps you feel like you’re far from the city without needing a long drive.

Medhurst is described as producing a small selection of elegant table wines. That “smaller lineup” is actually a benefit. When there are fewer wines to choose from, you’re more likely to understand the winery’s focus and to remember what stood out.

Tastings run about 1 hour at this last stop, which is handy because it’s the point where your palate is still awake, but you’re not stuck in a short sprint.

Here’s an important planning detail: Medhurst isn’t open on Tue & Wed. On those days, the tour will substitute with one of these wineries instead: Punt Road, Dominique Portet, Giant Steps, or Oakridge Vineyards. So if you’ve pinned your hopes on Medhurst specifically, check your day of travel. Either way, expect the same general purpose: a quieter, more personality-driven producer to close out the tasting portion.

Price and value: what’s included in that $219

At $219 per person for a 10-hour day, this isn’t a budget wine run. But the price makes more sense when you look at what’s actually included.

You get:

• City hotel pickup and drop-off in several central areas
• A live guide throughout
• Wine tastings at each stop
• Morning nibbles
• Cheese platter at De Bortoli
• Main course a la carte lunch at Yering Station
• A glass of wine with lunch, plus coffee
• Bottled water

What you don’t get is mainly personal shopping. The tour fee covers the “experience engine”: transport, guide, wine tasting access, and a real meal—not just snacks and a tiny plate.

In plain terms: if you tried to build this day yourself, you’d likely spend time and money coordinating transport, tastings, and a lunch that’s worth slowing down for. Here, you’re paying for the fact that the day runs like a plan, not like an improvisation.

Practical tips so you taste more and regret less

This is a full-day wine experience, so a few small habits make a big difference.

• Start hydrated. Bottled water is included, but you still need to drink it.
• Eat before you get tempted. You’ll have morning nibbles and cheese, and then a proper lunch. Still, don’t skip the food part.
• Use the guide’s explanations. Guides on these tours (you might meet Paul, Rob, Adrian, Cam, or Shane) tend to connect what you taste with what’s growing in the valley.
• Wear smart casual comfort. It’s a wine day in the car and at outdoor/estate settings, so skip anything restrictive. No flip-flops.
• Plan for purchases. Some people like to take bottles home after a tasting day, and the tour is designed around wineries where buying is part of the routine.

Also, double-check your personal setup. The tour says oversize luggage isn’t allowed, and it isn’t wheelchair-friendly.

Should you book the Yarra Valley Winery Tour with lunch at Yering Station?

Book this tour if you want a classic Yarra Valley “big meal + multiple wineries” day with a small-group feel. The best reason to choose it is the blend: De Bortoli for cheese-and-wine education, Yering Station for a proper lunch and estate atmosphere, then Payten & Jones and Medhurst for the contrast of smaller producers and more character per pour.

Skip it (or at least think twice) if you hate wine days that are alcohol-forward. This is built around tastings all day, and you’ll be drinking at multiple points, including a glass of wine with lunch.

If you’re traveling from Melbourne and want an efficient day with strong value in included food and guided tastings, this is a very sensible pick.

FAQ

How long is the Yarra Valley Winery Tour with Lunch at Yering Station?

The tour duration is 10 hours.

What’s included in the tour price?

It includes city hotel pickup, wine tastings, morning nibbles, a guide, main course a la carte lunch, a glass of wine and coffee at Yering Station, cheese platter at De Bortoli, and bottled water.

Where does pickup and drop-off happen?

Pickup is available from or close to hotels in East Melbourne, Southbank, Fitzroy, and Melbourne City. Drop-off is at Fitzroy, Melbourne City, East Melbourne, and Southbank.

What happens if Medhurst Vineyard is closed?

Medhurst is not open on Tue & Wed. On those days, the tour visits a substitute winery: Punt Road, Dominique Portet, Giant Steps, or Oakridge Vineyards.

Is there a minimum drinking age?

Yes. The minimum drinking age is 18 years.

What’s the dress code and what’s not allowed?

Dress is smart casual. No singlets or thongs. Sandals or flip-flops are not allowed, and oversize luggage is also not allowed.

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