A full day of food and drinks awaits in the Yarra Valley. What makes this trip different is the way it stacks wine, strawberries, chocolate, and gin into a single smooth loop, led by lively hosts like Danny and Posi. You get premium winery time without spending your whole day hunting transport or wondering where to go next.

I really like the small-group size (usually around 10 to 20 guests). I also like that the day isn’t just “sip and leave” at every stop: you get tastings included at multiple places, plus guided chocolate sampling and fresh fruit straight from the region.

One thing to consider: it’s a long day with a packed schedule, so even though the vibe stays relaxed, each tasting stop still has a time limit. If you want to linger for hours at one cellar, you may feel you’re moving along more than you’d like.

Key things I’d plan around

• 10–20 guests keeps the day from feeling chaotic
• Up to 6 stops means you taste more than just wine
• Yering Station is the anchor winery for the classic Yarra experience
• Fresh fruit + chocolate + optional gin turns it into a true gourmet day
• Lunch at St Huberts Estate is on your own tab so plan your budget

Price and what $92 really covers

At $92 per person, this tour is priced like a “full day of included tastings plus transport,” not a bare-bones sightseeing shuttle. The big value piece is that you’re not only paying for the drive. You’re also paying for multiple structured stops where tastings are either included or clearly built into the experience.

Here’s what you can expect to be included as part of the day:

• 3 winery stops in the Yarra Valley, with wine tastings included at 2 estates
• a strawberry farm visit with fruit tastings and a complimentary strawberry punnet per booking (conditions apply)
• a chocolate factory tasting of 10 to 12 chocolates
• premium comfort bus with a tour guide and planned timing between stops

What you’ll likely add on your own:

• lunch at St Huberts Estate (Quarters Restaurant) is not included
• optional upgrades like additional tasting flights at lunch
• the gin paddle is included only if you pick the full gin experience

So yes, it’s not “everything is free.” But it’s also not one of those tours where you only pay for driving and then spend the rest of your day buying everything separately.

Meet at Arts Centre Melbourne: start smooth, start early

You’ll meet at Arts Centre Melbourne Spire near Protagonist Café at 8:45am, with departure aimed for 9:00am sharp. The meeting point details matter: you’re in Southbank, and it’s easy to accidentally head to St Kilda if you’re using vague directions.

This early start matters because it sets you up for winery time in the morning and keeps the rest of the day flowing. The tour also brings you back to central Melbourne, dropping you near ACMI at Federation Square at around 5:30pm.

Practical tip: use the public restrooms in the Arts Centre before you board. Once the bus leaves, you’re on the tour rhythm.

Comfort and the small-group advantage on the bus

The tour uses a modern air-conditioned coach, and that sounds simple until you’ve done a few day trips. After a long drive, comfort changes the whole mood. Smaller groups also help. When you’re usually in the 10–20 range, it’s easier for the guide to check in, answer questions, and keep people moving together.

The guide experience is a major reason people rave about the day. Guides across recent departures have been big on local storytelling, upbeat energy, and keeping the trip organized. You’ll also spend time listening to commentary while heading out to the valley—handy if this is your first Yarra visit.

One caution: some seating can feel tight for taller people, so if you’re long-legged, try to pick a seat earlier in the boarding process.

Yarra Farm Fresh fruit tastings: the sweet reset before wine

Your first real taste stop is at Yarra Farm Fresh. You’ll get:

• seasonal fruit tastings
• local jams
• and a complimentary punnet of strawberries per booking (offer runs until 28 Feb 2026, one punnet per booking)

This is a smart start. Before you’re tasting wines, chocolate, and maybe gin, a fruit stop gives you a palate reset. It also makes the day feel more “Yarra Valley produce” than just “alcohol tour.”

What I’d do: bring a bit of water into your day. Even when tastings are small, you’ll move through multiple flavours quickly.

Yering Station winery: where the classic Yarra feel comes from

The next stop is Yering Station, widely treated as a marquee Yarra estate. You’ll enjoy premium wine tastings here, with a focus on what the region does well.

This stop is important for two reasons:

1. It’s one of the main “anchor” tastings in the whole day.
2. It sets the tone for the rest of your palate—so you’ll be able to notice differences at the later stops.

How to get more out of it (without overthinking): pick one or two styles you like and note how they change across the day. You don’t have to become a wine expert to enjoy the comparison. Just pay attention to what you keep reaching for.

Yering Farm: wine and apple cider with panoramic vineyard views

After lunch, you’ll return to the wine zone at Yering Farm. Here, tastings include wine plus apple cider, and you’re treated to panoramic vineyard views.

This is a nice contrast to the main winery stop. It gives you something slightly different to taste, and the cider option helps if your group has mixed preferences (some people love wine, some people want something lighter).

If you’re the type who likes variety, this is where the day starts to feel like it has its own personality, not just a list of venues.

Lunch at St Huberts Estate: plan for your own food and optional flights

Lunch happens at St Huberts Estate at Quarters Restaurant, and this part is not included. The upside is you get time to explore while you’re there, and if you want extra tastings, you can add them for an additional cost.

A key detail: lunch time is also part of how the tour keeps the day comfortable. After multiple tastings before lunch, you’ll appreciate having a real sit-down break rather than rushing straight to the next stop.

Budget tip: check the menu once you arrive (or earlier, if you can) so you don’t feel surprised at payment time. If you’re planning to add optional tasting flights, decide your limit before you sit down.

Chocolate factory tasting: 10–12 pieces of pure trouble

At Yarra Valley Chocolate Factory, you’ll get a guided tasting of 10 to 12 chocolates. This is one of the most “fun” stops in the day because it’s interactive and flavour-focused without the formality that some wine tastings can bring.

Two ways this stop can land for you:

• If you love chocolate, it’s a payoff moment after the fruit and wine.
• If you’re not a heavy sweet person, the tasting still makes sense because you can sample more lightly and take the rest slower.

Keep this in mind: you’ll be eating a lot of concentrated flavours across the day. So yes, it’s enjoyable—just don’t schedule anything serious right after your return to the city.

Optional gin distillery: Four Pillars or Stag Lane (depends on the day)

The gin stop is optional, and the distillery changes by day of week:

• Tuesday and Wednesday: Four Pillars Gin Distillery (paddle tasting)
• Thursday to Monday: Stag Lane Gin Distillery (boutique family-operated producer; paddle tasting)

If you choose the full-tasting option, your gin paddle is included, typically with a mixer. If nobody in the group chooses the gin experience, the tour extends the final stop by about 15 minutes and departs a bit earlier for a smooth return.

This matters because it affects the day’s pacing. Gin fans usually treat this as a highlight, while non-gin drinkers get a bit more time elsewhere instead.

Quick practical note: bring your ID. It’s requested, and gin tasting is obviously age-relevant.

Who this tour fits best

This is a great fit if you want:

• a single day trip that covers wine plus other local flavours (fruit, chocolate, gin)
• a more relaxed pace than the “grab a glass, run to the next bus door” style
• a fun group day with an energetic guide and central Melbourne pickup

It’s also handy if you’re traveling with people who don’t all want the same thing. Fruit and chocolate bring in the non-wine crowd; the gin option gives a clear extra for adults who want something bolder.

Who should think twice:

• anyone who needs mobility support, since the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users and mentions difficulty for those unable to climb stairs
• pregnant women, since the trip is flagged as not suitable
• very young kids (children under 4 are not suitable), and note that kids 2–17 are welcome but won’t be served alcohol

Should you book this Yarra Valley Wine, Choc, Farm Fresh, Gin Tour?

I’d book it if you want a classic Yarra Valley day with actual tasting time, not just photo stops. The best reasons to choose it are the small-group feel, the mix of tastings (wine + fruit + chocolate), and the fact that gin can be added without turning the day into a separate tour.

I wouldn’t book it if you strongly prefer one or two wineries and long, slow hangs. This is a well-paced circuit. You’ll taste a lot, but you won’t “camp out” at any single place.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes structure but still wants a day that feels fun—this one’s easy to recommend.

FAQ

What’s the meeting point and departure time?

Meet in front of the Arts Centre Melbourne Spire at 8:45am. The tour aims to depart at 9:00am sharp, and latecomers or no-shows can’t be refunded.

How many stops do you make on the day?

You’ll visit up to 6 stops, including 3 premium wineries, plus a strawberry farm and a chocolate factory. An optional gin distillery stop may be added depending on the day and participant choice.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch at St Huberts Estate (Quarters Restaurant) is available for purchase on the day.

Do you include wine tastings?

Yes. You’ll visit 3 winery stops, with wine tastings included at 2 estates.

Are the strawberries included?

You’ll do a strawberry farm visit with fruit tastings, and you also receive a complimentary strawberry punnet per booking (conditions apply, offer ends 28 Feb 2026).

Which gin distillery do you visit?

It depends on the day of the week. Tuesday and Wednesday use Four Pillars Gin Distillery. Thursday through Monday uses Stag Lane Gin Distillery.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users and is flagged as not suitable for guests with mobility issues, especially those unable to climb stairs.