Melbourne is in an enviable position of having 2 world class wine regions just over an hours drive from the City centre. 

With such easy access for locals and visitors to Melbourne, both regions are popular day trip destinations and add to the widely held belief that Melbourne is the “Food and Wine Capital” of Australia.

Home to over 3500 restaurants with over 70 countries cuisines, with Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula on the doorstep Melbourne is the very best of both in the world of food and wine offerings.

We are often asked which wine region is the best to visit if you can’t visit both! Hopefully some guidance on similarities and what makes each unique, what are the prominent wineries and dining options in both will help with this difficult decision.

Firstly, both the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula are cool climate wine regions. This means the main plantings, because they are best grown in this climate, are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. You will also taste a lot of Pinot Gris and Grigio on the Mornington Peninsula and Cabernet Sauvignon is a dominant grape variety in the Yarra Valley.

With Chardonnay and Pinot Noir being two of the main grapes to produce champagne, if a sparkling wine is produced this will be the first wine tasted in the selection of wines offered at cellar door (tasting room)

Yarra Valley

Yarra Valley, East of Melbourne is flanked by the Dandenong Ranges and its unique landscape commands spectacular views of rolling hills, mountains, grazing and farming land, orchards and the recent emergence of hotels and boutique accommodation options. Yarra Valley proudly homes over 80 wineries, with many large producers and well known estates. Yarra Valley is home to Yering Station the oldest vineyard in Victoria with vines first planted here in 1838. It surged through the 1860s and 1870s until the 1930s, when the economic depression saw vines replaced with more profitable farming pursuits. Replanting took place in the late 1960s, and has been going strong ever since.

Chandon Established in Australia in 1986. Domaine Chandon is one of 6 outside of France. The home of Chandon in the Yarra Valley was once a dairy farm. The cellar door experience is a Foundation tutored wine tasting which means you get some information on French winemaking heritage and the Chandon story in Australia crafting their own style of high quality Méthode Champenoise with a distinctive Australian style. sparkling  in modern tasting room.

Epicurean Wine Tour inc Chandon

De Bortoli Estate 4th generation winemaker family and the sixth largest producers of Australian wine. The largest Single Estate land holding in the Yarra Valley. The cellar door experience is warm and welcoming. Epicurean include a premium and Private Cheese and Wine Paring experience, including a tasting of the most awarded Botrytis dessert wines in the world the iconic, Noble One.

Epicurean Wine Tour inc De Bortoli Estate

Soumah is nestled at the base of the Warramate ranges and ‘South of Maroondah Highway’ (Soumah), is home to some of  some highly awarded wines that include some lesser known varietals in the Yarra Valley, like Nebbiolo and Savagnin. Soumah restaurant “Ai Fiori Trattoria” is a favourite in the Yarra Valley with expansive vineyard views and delicious Italian food. An informative wine tasting will steer you in the right direction for what wine to enjoy with lunch. In warmer months there is some comfortable seating on the deck.

Tokar Estate Family owned and operated, their authentic, award-winning wines are bold and distinctive. Tokar is one of only 3 wineries in the Yarra Valley who produce “Tempranillo” that is referred to as Spain’s Noble Grape and is a signature wine of Tokar Estate. Tokar is one of Epicurean’s fabulous lunch venues included in the tour. Tokar is a Mediterranean inspired cellar door and restaurant with terrace dining overlooking vines in warmer months.

Four Pillars Gin Distillery Another popular destination in the Yarra Valley in the broader “drinks” space is Four Pillars. A craft distillery that has created an amazing reputation from the original multi-award winning Rare Dry Gin to the only gin in the world made just for a Negroni, from a Navy Strength Gin that is best in its class to the entirely unique Bloody Shiraz Gin. There is a wonderfully relaxed ambience here, The tasting experience is a Gin Paddle and a chosen mixer presenting 4 signature gins.

Epicurean Wine Tour inc Four Pillars Gin Distillery

Mornington Peninsula

Mornington Peninsula, a maritime wine region is located in the South of the state and  surrounded by Port Phillip Bay, Western Port Bay and the Bass Strait. Close to 50 wineries that are are on a smaller scale compared with the Yarra Valley wineries are often described as “boutique” or “small batch” You can expect to see golf courses, Peninsula Hot Springs and the newly opened Alba Thermal Springs and Spa, thoroughbred horse racing studs, holiday homes and glistening bay views. Many people visit the Mornington Peninsula for “cultural and culinary” experiences with sculpture walks, most outstanding at Pt Leo Estate Sculpture Park and Montalto Sculpture Trail. and sightseeing such as Arthurs Seat Lookout from the highest point on the Peninsula and Bathing Boxes/Boat Sheds adding a colourful backdrop on the foreshore.

Yabby Lake Established in 1998 by Robert and Mem Kirby who are large shareholders of Village Roadshow. Located on the Northern side of the Mornington Peninsula in Tuerong, here you can taste Single Vineyard and Single Block Releases of Premium Yabby Lake and Red Claw labels. A truly beautiful estate that is also warm and welcoming with views over the vines from the cellar door and the occasional kangaroo sighting!