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An Epicurean Guide To The Yarra Valley, According To The People Who Know It Best
The Yarra Valley is a lush mountain range, peppered with wineries and producers, which is appealingly just an hour out of Melbourne.
It’s also renowned for quaint boutiques, eateries turning out seriously good food (thanks to fantastic local produce) and some of the country’s most notable wineries and distilleries. It’s a beloved getaway destination of Melbournians for obvious reasons. Less talked about is the burgeoning art scene or that throughout the year, there are plenty of events, from food festivals to special cellar door experiences, that draw visitors to the state’s food and wine capital.
One winery worth making the journey for is renowned sparkling label, Chandon. Founded on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country in 1986, the Chandon cellar door offers everything from tasting experiences to picnics and degustations, with the brand’s award-winning wines front and centre. Having been based in the region for 38 years, the Chandon team knows the Yarra Valley inside out, so who better to tap for the insider’s guide? Here, we chat to them for their tips on where to eat, drink and sleep while exploring the Yarra Valley.
1. What can we expect from a visit to the Chandon cellar door?
A visit to Chandon provides the chance to immerse yourself in the Yarra Valley and the craft of creating exceptional sparkling wines. Chandon’s Sparkling Brunch is a great way to start the day and the Garden Spritz Summer Picnics have become a regional favourite. For the wine aficionados keen to learn a bit more about the art of winemaking, our Behind the Bubbles experience pulls back the curtain on what goes into making Chandon’s Vintage Brut, offering guests the chance to try their hand at blending, mixing and tasting.
2. If you could recommend one standout experience at the cellar door, it would be…
Chandon Etoile is our most exceptional wine — a multi-vintage blend that spans eight vintages and was 18 years in the making — so we’ve created a variety of experiences featuring this impeccable cuvée. Our Etoile Unveiled experience is an intimate tasting of the wines that inspired and contributed to the making of Etoile, paired with artisan cheeses that go beautifully with the wine. For the gourmand, there is the Etoile degustation, a seven course menu of premium local produce, with each course designed to highlight different aspects of this unique wine.
3. What makes the Yarra Valley uniquely special?
It’s a spectacular playground for golfers, hikers, bikers and outdoor enthusiasts, thanks to its natural beauty, and for the foodies too, courtesy of the abundance of local produce. We’re also home to leading wineries and distilleries, alongside exceptional restaurants, art galleries and craftspeople.
4. Are there any cultural happenings or events people should mark on their calendars?
The Open Studios weekends in October are the best times to visit the local arts community and see the valley’s wonderful diversity of artists and craftspeople at work. In winter, the Yarra Valley ‘Shortest Lunch’ in June is also a great time to visit some of the valley’s boutique wineries for an intimate escape while the Yarra Valley Fireside, our annual winter food and wine festival held every July, is a must-visit for gourmands.
5. What else is worth including on a Yarra Valley weekend agenda?
While Healesville is the bustling town at the heart of the Yarra Valley, the beauty and charm of the Upper Yarra Valley and Warburton are must-visits. Exceptional wineries and restaurants are dotted throughout the region, but be sure to pause and breathe in the fresh mountain air with a short hike at Badger Weir or Maroondah Dam. If you’re into art, check out the contemporary art collection at Tarrawarra Museum of Art or local artwork at Yava Gallery in Healesville.
6. Where’s the best place to stay?
If you’re after luxurious private cabins close to the Yarra River, Yering Gorge Cottages boast a picturesque rural backdrop. If you want to be closer to the action in Healesville, then the Mechanics Institute has super cute apartments in the middle of town. If it’s the country club lifestyle you’re after, the RACV resort or Balgownie Estate have sprawling properties to satisfy every kind of traveller.
7. The best views can be found at…
Chandon has possibly the best panoramic views in the valley, however for a higher vantage point take a drive to the viewing platform at the summit of Mount Donna Buang.
8. For foodies visiting the Yarra, the unmissable eats are…
Aside from long lunches at Chandon inspired by the region’s spectacular local produce, DeBortoli or Tarrawarra Estate put on incredible spreads. The ever popular Yarra Valley Dairy has a cracking range of soft cheeses to try and buy; for the forager try the Edible Forest at Yarra Valley Estate; hit up Innocent Bystander or Soumah for wood-fired pizza and take your mum to afternoon tea at Coombe Estate.
9. Are there any other wineries, distilleries or breweries in the area you love?
Yarra Yering is an established star of the Valley and Jayden Ong and Pimpernel are comparatively new kids on the block doing great things. Also check out Soumah for some unusual Italian varieties and Dominique Portet for a classy Rosé . You can’t go past Four Pillars for world-class gin and the folks at Coldstream Brewery and Watts River will always have a cold brew ready for you.
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