A simple cheese plate. Then wine with a view.

This Cheese + Chill session at Yarran Cellar Door in the Riverina is built around Cocoparra National Park views and an easy, guided format where up to six wines are tasted alongside a shareable cheeseboard. I like that it feels like a proper cellar-door hangout, not a rushed show: you settle in on the terrace/verandah, sip what you choose, and get help matching wine and cheese.

One thing to keep in mind: the tasting tables are outdoors (terrace style), so you’ll want to dress for whatever the Riverina weather is doing. Also, it’s about 1.5 hours, so it’s best if you want a friendly tasting, not a long, roaming winery tour.

What makes this experience worth your time

This is one of the better-value “small-group” winery moments because it includes a tasting introduction and a cheeseboard, and it works just as well for non-drinkers. The key is the private group vibe—get your group together (up to 10) and you’ll have a calm, guided experience where everyone fits in, with or without wine.

Key highlights you’ll actually care about

• Up to six wines included for a guided tasting, and you get to choose which ones
• Cheeseboard to share, with 1 board for every 2 guests
• Terrace/verandah views overlooking Cocoparra National Park while you taste
• Private group feel for your group (up to 10 people), with a max of 15 participants total
• Non-drinkers are welcome, so your whole group can join without pressure
• Dress for weather, since the tables are outdoors

Yarran Wines Cheese + Chill: why this format works so well

If you’re doing a winery day in New South Wales, a lot of tasting experiences can feel either too formal or too random. Cheese + Chill hits a sweet spot: it gives you structure (a guided tasting introduction and pairing guidance) while still leaving you to relax and enjoy the setting.

At Yarran Cellar Door, the experience is designed around a simple idea—wine plus cheese—served with views and friendly explanations. That matters because wine is easier when someone helps you connect it to what you’re eating. And cheese is easier when it’s paired to what’s in your glass, not just handed to you as an afterthought.

The best part for me is the casual pacing. You’re not sprinting from table to table. You’re not being pulled along by a scripted lecture. Instead, you sit, taste, and adjust. You can pay attention to what you like and ask questions when something grabs you.

Cocoparra views from the terrace: the setting does half the work

Yarran’s cellar door setup gives you that “sit down and stay awhile” feeling. The tasting happens at outdoor terrace tables, with the bigger scenery—Cocoparra National Park—right there while you drink and nibble.

This is more than scenery for scenery’s sake. When you’re tasting wine, you’re also tasting the atmosphere: you get a calmer rhythm, and you can actually enjoy the experience instead of thinking only about the next pour. If you’re traveling with friends or you just want a slow, scenic break from the road, this kind of view is a big deal.

Do bring weather sense. Because the tables are outdoors, you’ll want layers in cooler conditions and something comfortable if it’s warmer. No matter what season you come in, dress like you’re going to sit outside for a while—not like you’re quickly stopping in.

The 90-minute flow: how your tasting session unfolds

This is a focused 1 hour 30 minutes. That’s a benefit: you get a complete experience without eating your entire day.

Here’s how the session typically feels once you’re there:

You arrive, gather your group, and settle in at the terrace/verandah. Since it’s a private group experience, you’re not trying to squeeze in around strangers. Then you get a tasting introduction with guidance on the wines you select.

While you sip, you also get the pairing side of the experience. The cheeseboard is provided to share, and your guide helps connect what you’re eating with what you’re tasting. It’s a simple rhythm—taste, pause, try another pairing, then talk it through.

You also get access to their range while you’re seated and enjoying the views. That means you’re not just checking off a box. You can linger over what you like and use the guide’s input to make sense of the options.

Practical note: bring conversation energy. This kind of tasting is at its best when you’re willing to chat—ask what to try next, compare notes with your group, and let non-drinkers be part of the whole thing.

Choosing your wines: Durif, Pinot Grigio, and Pet Nat options

Yarran’s flagship styles include Durif and Pinot Grigio, and you can also try their Montepulchiano Pet Nat. That’s a nice spread because it gives you variety without making the decision exhausting.

The big value detail is that up to six wines are included, and you choose which ones you taste. That’s better than a fixed-flight where you only get what the menu decided for you. If your group has different preferences, you can still shape the tasting to match the mood—lighter, crisper, or something a bit more different—without ending up with wasted pours.

In practice, I’d treat this as a chance to learn quickly. Ask your guide what people usually enjoy with the cheeseboard. Then, pick wines that support the pairing rather than chasing purely random novelty. The point isn’t to taste everything—it’s to leave with a couple of clear favorites you’d happily buy again.

The cheeseboard: why pairing is the real star here

Cheese + Chill isn’t only about the wine. The cheeseboard is the other half of the experience, and it’s designed to be shared: you get 1 board per 2 guests.

That “shared” setup matters more than you might think. It keeps the vibe social and makes it easier to compare bites with sips. It also gives you variety across the table, so you’re not stuck eating the exact same slice while everyone else tastes wine.

Local cheese and local produce are part of the deal. One standout detail from an earlier Cheese + Chill experience: Coolamon cheeses were highlighted and matched well with the tasting selections. Even if you don’t get that exact cheese lineup on your day, it gives you a strong clue about the intention—use local products that work with the wine you’re tasting.

If you have a mixed group—some wine drinkers, some not—this shared cheeseboard becomes the common ground. Everyone can enjoy the food while the drinkers focus on the tasting.

Non-drinkers and mixed groups: easy mode for real life

This is a private group tour, and non-drinkers are specifically welcome. That’s huge if you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t drink wine but still wants the experience.

In a lot of tastings, non-drinkers feel like they’re stuck waiting. Here, the cheeseboard and relaxed seating help everyone participate. The setting and guided introductions mean the group can still learn something and share the moment—even if some people are choosing not to taste wines.

If you’re bringing a mixed group, my advice is to plan your choices together before you arrive:

• Let wine drinkers decide the tasting selections.
• Make sure non-drinkers still feel included by tasting through the food and asking questions about pairings and local products.
• Keep the tone relaxed. This isn’t a stiff classroom. It’s a seated afternoon.

Price and value: what $24.39 gets you at Yarran

At $24.39 per person, this pricing makes sense because you’re not paying only for a couple of small tastes. You’re getting:

• A guided tasting introduction featuring up to six wines
• A cheeseboard to share
• A chance to enjoy the experience while you sit and take in the views

For many winery visits, the wine tasting and the food are separate costs. Here, they’re bundled into a single, low-friction experience. That’s where the value lives.

Also, the “up to six wines” part is important. A tasting that only includes two or three pours can feel overpriced once you’ve done it a few times. Six lets you actually compare styles and find what you’d bring home, not just what tastes okay on that day.

And since non-drinkers can join, you don’t end up paying for a separate activity just to keep everyone together. If you’re planning a group day around Riverina wineries, this kind of shared, guided setup can be the difference between a smooth afternoon and a stressful one.

Timing and practical planning: make the most of the 1.5 hours

Because the session is about 1 hour 30 minutes, you’ll want to treat it like a “set-piece” part of your day. Plan to arrive a few minutes early so your group can settle in and start tasting without feeling rushed.

Think about your day like this:

• Schedule it when you want to slow down, not when you’re racing to your next stop.
• If you’re hopping between wineries, keep the travel time realistic so you don’t cut the enjoyable part short.
• Bring a light layer for outdoors and wear shoes you’re comfortable staying in for a while.

Also, you’ll be using a mobile ticket, so keep your phone handy. That’s it—no stress.

Finally, because it’s a private group experience, the best move is to book as a group and include everyone attending, even people who won’t be drinking. The more accurately your group is counted, the smoother your session will feel when you arrive.

Should you book Cheese + Chill?

I’d book Cheese + Chill if you want a relaxed winery afternoon with real payoff: a guided tasting, a shareable cheeseboard, and those Cocoparra views from the terrace.

Skip it (or be cautious) if you’re craving a long, behind-the-scenes winery tour or you hate sitting outdoors in changeable weather. The format is exactly what it says on the tin: cheese, wine, and chill, for about 90 minutes.

If your group has mixed drinkers and non-drinkers, this is one of those rare tasting experiences that keeps everyone in the same story—same food, same setting, and help choosing what to try.

FAQ

How long is the Cheese + Chill experience?

It runs for about 1 hour 30 minutes.

What’s included in the tasting?

You get access to a friendly tasting introduction to up to six wines (of your choice) and a cheeseboard to share.

Is the tour only for people who drink wine?

No. Non-drinkers are welcome.

Where does the experience start?

It starts at 178 Myall Park Rd, Yenda NSW 2681, Australia, and ends back at the meeting point.

How many people are in the group?

It’s a private group experience for up to 10 people, with a maximum of 15 travelers.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.