Winery, chocolate, gin—without driving. This small-group Yarra Valley day strings together fruit, cellar doors, and guided tastings with tasting fees included, so you spend less time figuring out logistics. One thing to factor in: lunch is not included, and some extra tastings at St Hubert Estate cost extra.

I like that the day is built around stops that each have a point—strawberries to start, wine in a classic Yarra setting, chocolate with a guided flight, then gin if you choose the full tasting option. The tour meets at Arts Centre Melbourne Spire at 8:45am, and the return is planned for around 5:30pm at ACMI near Federation Square.

Key highlights worth your time

• Small group size (10–20) means less waiting around and more time with the people pouring.
• All tasting fees included for the core experiences, so you’re not doing surprise math later.
• Yarra Farm Fresh strawberries plus seasonal fruit and local jams to kick things off sweet.
• Two possible gin distillery stops depending on the day: Stag Lane Farm Distillery or Four Pillars.
• Guided chocolate tasting with up to 12 hand-crafted creations at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery.
• St Hubert Estate after lunch offers a tasting add-on option, plus time to wander the cellar door and indigenous art gallery.

A small-group Yarra Valley day built for tastings

This is the kind of day trip I recommend when you want the Yarra Valley vibe without the rental-car stress. You get a run of producers in one day, with transfers between Melbourne and the valley, and a group capped at 20 people (typically 10–20). That size matters because tastings move faster when everyone’s not crowding the same tasting bar like it’s a weekend concert line.

The tour also leans hard into variety: wine from iconic estates, fruit and jams, chocolate with a guided tasting, and gin if you choose the full option. It’s less about one perfect vineyard and more about sampling what the region is good at—so you can decide later what you want to chase on a return trip.

The big practical trade-off is pacing and cost control. Lunch is on your own (at Quarters, St Hubert Estate), and you may see optional tasting charges at St Hubert. If you don’t plan for that, the day can feel slightly like a pick-your-own-adventure with extras.

Starting at Arts Centre Melbourne Spire (8:45am matters)

You meet at Arts Centre Melbourne Spire at 8:45am, with departure aiming for 9:00am sharp. The meeting point detail is specific: look for the cafe stand in front of the landmark called Protagonist. If you show up right at 8:45 and you need to locate the exact spot, you’ll be rushed—so give yourself a few minutes buffer.

This start time is also why breakfast really helps. Lunch is planned for around 11:45am, and lunch is not included. So if you arrive hungry, the first “food win” comes later than you might hope.

Good news: the meeting point is near public transport, so you don’t need a car or a hotel pickup. The return stop is ACMI at Federation Square, generally by 5:30pm or earlier.

Stop 1: Yarra Farm Fresh strawberries and seasonal bites

Most days begin with fruit at Yarra Farm Fresh, where the focus is strawberries and the supporting cast: seasonal fruits and local jams. It’s a smart early stop because it sets a reset button for the day. You’re not yet tasting wine or gin; you’re just getting a feel for what “fresh produce” looks like in this part of Victoria.

You can also get a complimentary punnet of strawberries per booking, limited time only and subject to availability (noted as available until 28 February 2026). Even if the punnet doesn’t show up, you still get the guided sampling setup at the farm.

One thing to consider: this day can get hot and sunny in summer, and alcohol shows up later. If you’re coming in warmer months, treat the strawberry stop like your reminder to drink water early and wear sunscreen.

Yering Station Winery: an iconic Yarra tasting stop

Next up is Yering Station, described as the oldest winery in the Yarra Valley and one of the region’s best-known estates. You’ll have around 50 minutes here for tastings. That time window is designed for hosted pours and conversation, without turning the day into a half-day detour.

Yering Station’s big value is context. Even if you’re not a hardcore wine geek, being at an estate with that level of identity helps you understand why the Yarra Valley earns attention for cool-climate styles. And because the tour handles the transfers, you’re not wasting precious daylight driving between places.

What I’d watch for: wine tastings can feel a bit “sample-sized” on a busy schedule. If your dream is to spend long stretches at one winery, you might find two winery stops feel quick. If your dream is variety, you’ll likely enjoy the flow.

St Hubert Estate lunch at Quarters (and what’s optional)

After the first winery rhythm, you head to St Hubert Estate. You get time before and after lunch to explore, including a cellar door, a wine shop, and an indigenous art gallery. Lunch itself is at Quarters (on-site), and it’s at your own expense.

Lunch time is about 11:45am, so plan breakfast accordingly. I like that this structure gives you some control: you can pick what fits your appetite and budget instead of being boxed into one set menu.

Optional comes into play here. Any additional wine, gin, or whisky tastings at St Hubert Estate require an extra fee (noted as usually around A$15 per person). In other words: the core tour tastings are already handled, but this stop can add extras if you’re still in tasting mode after lunch.

Yering Farm Wines: classic bottles plus an apple cider twist

Then you move to Yering Farm Wines, another tasting stop with a friendly, rustic feel. You’ll have about 45 minutes, including tastings that can finish with a refreshing apple cider. That cider element is a nice change from the usual wine-only format—it gives you a reset between stronger flavors.

There’s one important detail to keep in mind: on rare occasions, Yering Farm Estate can be unavailable due to private events or closures. If that happens and a substitute winery is used, the apple cider tasting won’t be included. The tour notes that venue substitutions can occur, so if cider is a must for you, it’s worth confirming for your date.

If you’re traveling with mixed preferences (wine lovers plus people who want something lighter), this is one of the stops that can keep everyone happy.

Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery: guided chocolate tasting

After wineries and fruit, the day shifts into dessert mode at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery. You’ll get a guided tasting of their hand-crafted chocolates, with up to 12 creations. That’s enough variety that it feels like a real tasting, not just a quick sample and a goodbye.

This stop is also where I’d expect you to slow down mentally. Chocolate changes the pace. It also helps you keep your tasting enjoyment higher later in the day, because you’re not stacking wine-on-wine-on-gin without a break.

A practical tip: you’ll likely want to pace yourself here. It’s tempting to taste every piece as quickly as possible, but doing so can make the gin part later feel too intense. If you’re doing the full tasting option, treat chocolate like a palate reset, not a sprint.

Gin distillery option: Stag Lane or Four Pillars

Now we get to the part that’s optional: gin. If you upgrade to the full tasting experience, you can add a gin tasting flight at a distillery. Which distillery you visit depends on the day.

• Stag Lane Farm Distillery is the usual gin stop on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
• Four Pillars Distillery is used on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Both are described as offering a guided gin flight tasting served with a mixer. Some mixers can include tonic water (the tour description only says mixer, but tonic has come up as one that people have singled out), so don’t be surprised if it’s part of your flight.

If you don’t choose the gin experience, the tour notes that the final stop is extended by an additional 15 minutes and the group departs earlier for a smooth return. Translation: skipping gin doesn’t strand you with nothing to do—it just changes how the schedule breathes.

If gin is a priority, choose the full tasting option. This is one of the tour’s biggest “value add-ons” because it turns a day trip into a more complete craft-distillery experience, not just a sightseeing loop.

Getting back to Melbourne by 5:30pm

The tour aims to return to Melbourne by 5:30pm or earlier, ending at ACMI near Federation Square. That timing matters because it keeps your evening open for dinner plans back in the city. It also means you can plan around it: show up with energy for one more meal, not one more forced attraction.

One small practical note: the day includes stairs at some venues, and the tour is not suitable for people with mobility issues particularly due to climbing stairs. If you have mobility needs, it’s worth thinking carefully before booking because some stops (not just one) may create problems.

In hot weather, you’ll also feel the pace more. Bring water, wear sunscreen, and keep a light layer handy if you’re going in summer and expect AC in Melbourne afterward.

Price and value: what $93.24 buys you

At $93.24 per person (mobile ticket, small group capped at 20), the biggest value is how the tour reduces friction. You’re paying for transfers from Melbourne, and the core tasting fees are included, so you’re not constantly reaching into your wallet to cover entry charges.

The tour also spreads your day across multiple producers instead of locking you into one expensive stop. That structure is a win if you want to sample styles and producers—wine plus fruit plus chocolate plus optional gin—without needing a car or a driver.

Where the budget can shift:

• Lunch is not included, so plan for a meal at Quarters (11:45am-ish).
• Optional tastings at St Hubert Estate can add an extra fee (usually around A$15 per person).
• Gin depends on whether you pick the full tasting upgrade.

If you want an easy day and you’re happy to spend a little extra only if you feel like it, this price feels fair. If you want zero surprises and zero on-site extras, you’ll need to treat the optional tastings as truly optional and plan lunch spending in advance.

Who this tour is perfect for

This tour works best if you fall into one of these groups:

• You want multiple Yarra Valley producers in one day without driving.
• You like wine but also want chocolate, fruit, and the option to try gin.
• You prefer a smaller group (10–20) rather than a larger bus crowd.

It’s also a good match if you’re traveling solo and want a social day that still feels organized. Guides like Shauny, Danny, Posi, Stefan, and Sean have been called out for friendly hosting and keeping the vibe light, so the day can feel fun, not rigid.

If you’re very picky about wine and want longer, deeper sessions at a single estate, you may find two winery stops plus distillery time a bit rushed. On this schedule, you’re sampling more than you’re lingering.

Quick heads-up on rules and comfort

A few practical notes that affect your planning:

• Children aged 4–17 can join, but they won’t be served alcoholic tastings.
• Service animals are allowed.
• The day can be hot and sunny in summer, and alcohol shows up later.
• Some venues involve stairs, so it’s not suitable for mobility-impaired guests.

Also, venues can change depending on your date. The tour notes that some wineries are subject to change and you should confirm your itinerary for your preferred date. This matters because it can affect whether a specific tasting element (like the apple cider at Yering Farm Estate) is available.

Should you book this Yarra Valley Wine + Chocolate + Gin Tour?

I’d book it if your ideal Yarra day includes variety and you want the tastings handled for you. The small group setup and the fact that core tasting fees are included make it feel like good value, especially if you’d otherwise pay entry and then get stuck figuring out driving.

I’d skip or choose a different format if your priority is one winery experience with lots of time to wander at your own speed, or if you can’t manage stairs and walking between stops. Also, if you hate the idea of optional extras, remember: lunch is on you, and St Hubert’s extra tastings cost extra.

If you want a “yes” checklist: small group, tasting fees included, strawberries + chocolate on the calendar, optional gin depending on your day, and a return to Melbourne by early evening. That’s a solid formula.

FAQ

What time does the tour start and where do I meet?

You meet at Arts Centre Melbourne Spire at 8:45am, and the tour aims to depart at 9:00am. The recommended way to find the spot is to look for the cafe stand called Protagonist at the front of the landmark.

When does the tour finish?

The tour aims to get back to Melbourne by 5:30pm or earlier, ending at ACMI in Federation Square.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch at St Hubert Estate (at Quarters) is not included, and lunch time is around 11:45am. You purchase your own mains and drinks.

What tastings are included?

The tour includes all tasting fees for the core experiences. That includes tastings at selected wineries, a guided chocolate tasting at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, and strawberry sampling at Yarra Farm Fresh. Gin tastings are included only if you choose the full tasting upgrade.

How does the gin stop work?

Gin is an optional add-on via the full tasting experience. Depending on the day, the tour visits either Stag Lane Farm Distillery or Four Pillars Distillery for a guided gin flight tasting served with a mixer.

Is there an extra cost for tastings at St Hubert Estate after lunch?

Yes. Any wine, gin, or whisky tastings at St Hubert Estate after lunch require an additional fee, noted as usually around A$15 per person.

What if I skip the gin tasting?

If no guest chooses the gin distillery experience, the tour notes it will extend the final stop by 15 minutes and depart earlier for a smooth return to Melbourne.

Will I get strawberries even if I’m not there first?

Yes, the tour includes a strawberry farm stop (Yarra Farm Fresh) with strawberry sampling. A complimentary punnet of strawberries is also included per booking for a limited time, subject to availability.

Is this tour suitable for children or service animals?

Children aged 4 to 17 are welcome, but they will not be served alcoholic tastings. Service animals are allowed.