A full Yarra Valley food binge. This tour is built for an easy day out, with scenic valley roads, fruit and chocolate tastings, and wine pours all lined up for you. I also like that you ride in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle, so the day feels relaxed even when you pack in a lot. The only real drawback to plan for is that the schedule is busy, and some tasting moments can feel a bit rushed if you like to linger.

What makes it work well is the mix of stops: a strawberry fruit tasting, a serious wine moment at Hubert Estate with a take-home bottle, a lunch stop at Rochford Wines, and then the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery for a sweet finish. If you’re lucky enough to get a guide like Bernie, Rick, Melanie, Dirk, or Victor, the whole day tends to run smoother, with humor and clear guidance. You’ll also want to know that gin is optional and costs extra, so budget accordingly if you want the full “wine and gin” idea.

Key highlights that make this tour worth your time

• Small-group pacing (max 20) with a modern, air-conditioned ride from Melbourne
• Fruit tasting at Yarra Farm Fresh, including strawberries, plus snacks and bottled water
• Hubert Estate wine tasting of 4 wines, plus a complimentary bottle to take home for ages 18+
• Rochford Wines lunch stop with guided tasting, plus an opt-in gin tasting (4 gins) for $25
• Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery with a guided tasting of 12 Australian chocolates and ice cream

Leaving Melbourne for the Yarra Valley at 8:15 AM (and why it matters)

You start early, at 8:15 AM, meeting at the Ian Potter Centre, NGV Australia at Federation Square. The meeting point is central and easy to reach, which matters because one of the biggest friction points on wine days is logistics.

This tour also leans into the drive. You get an informative commentary as you head through Melbourne suburbs and out toward the Yarra and Dandenong ranges, so you’re not just sitting on a bus waiting to taste something. By the time you hit the first stop, you’ve got context for what you’re seeing, and that makes the valley feel more like a destination and less like a checklist.

The first tasting stop: Yarra Farm Fresh and the strawberry start

The day’s flavor kick-off is a guided fruit tasting at Yarra Farm Fresh. The highlight here is local fruit, and yes, strawberries are part of the mix, which is a great way to ease in before wine shows up.

This stop is only about 25 minutes, so keep your expectations tight: you’re sampling, asking questions, and moving on. The upside is you don’t waste your energy waiting around, and you’re fueled for the longer tasting moments ahead. Snacks are included here, and bottled water is provided, which is exactly what you want before alcohol tastings begin.

One more practical note: if you see extra small bites at the fruit stop, roll with it. A few past groups pointed out tastes like homemade jam, relish, or nougat alongside the fruit, which is a fun way to get a broader feel for what the region produces.

Hubert Estate: 4 Yarra Valley wines and a bottle to take home

Hubert Estate is your first “real wine” chapter. You’ll get an informative wine tasting where you sample 4 distinctly Yarra Valley wines, then you receive a complimentary bottle of wine to take home (age 18+).

This is the kind of stop that makes the whole day feel like more than just sightseeing. Sampling four wines in one guided format gives you a clearer sense of style, and the take-home bottle is a nice souvenir that’s actually usable when you return home.

There’s also a subtle strategy advantage here. Because you’re tasting before lunch, you can decide what you like before you’re asked to make choices later. If you’re the type who wants a quick path to your favorite, this sequence helps you lock it in.

Rochford Wines: lunch, guided tastings, and optional gin for $25

Rochford Wines is both a winery experience and your lunch location, and it has some serious star power in the background. The venue has hosted major musical acts over the years, so the atmosphere is more than “just a tasting room.”

You’ll have a guided wine tasting, and then you’ll move into lunch time. The key detail for budgeting is that lunch has options. You can upgrade on the day to a gourmet winery lunch with a glass of wine, or you can order from the venue’s menu à la carte.

Now, about the gin: gin tasting is not included. It’s an opt-in add-on at Rochford for $25 to taste 4 gins. This is a simple decision point for you. If gin is your thing, it can be a fun extra layer after the wine tasting, but if you mainly came for wine and food, you can skip it and save your spending for tastings you’ll actually remember.

One more balanced warning. A few people felt the lunch stop wasn’t perfect, with reports about dishes lacking seasoning and some orders taking longer. So if lunch matters a lot to you, I’d treat it as part of the day’s experience, not the main event, and be ready to stay flexible if the pace is busy.

The sweet finale: Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery

After wine and lunch, the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery is a very smart reset. You’ll see the chocolate chefs at work, and the stop includes a guided chocolate tasting where you sample 12 uniquely Australian chocolates.

This section is designed to slow the day down a bit. It’s interactive in a low-pressure way: you’re tasting, learning a little about the craft, and getting a real payoff for all the earlier stops. If you’ve ever thought chocolate tours are just sampling boxes, this one tends to feel more like a guided experience with a clear storyline.

And then comes the ice cream. Past groups called the ice cream a highlight, which makes sense because it’s a clean finish after tasting chocolate and wine. If you’re sensitive to sweetness or you’re pacing your alcohol, this is also a chance to balance flavors with something cool and refreshing.

How the 8-hour schedule and max 20 people affects your day

This is an approximately 8-hour full-day tour, and the schedule is intentionally packed. The max group size is 20 travelers, which helps keep things organized and makes the day feel more personal than giant buses.

Still, the biggest “consideration” is timing. Several people noted that the day can move briskly at times, especially between stops. That’s not unusual on wine tours, but it matters if your ideal pace is slow sipping, long conversations, and zero rushing.

Here’s the practical takeaway for you: if you’re the type who likes to savor, focus on the stops that matter most to you. Hubert Estate is the strongest for structured wine sampling, Rochford is your lunch and tasting anchor, and the chocolaterie is where you can slow down and really enjoy.

Also, bring the right mindset. This is not a private tour where every moment is tailored. It’s a well-run group day that trades some slack for variety and value.

What’s included versus what costs extra (so you don’t get surprised)

The tour price is $82.48 per person, and tastings are a big part of what you’re paying for. Alcoholic beverages include all wine tastings in the tour price. Bottled water is included, along with snacks tied to the fruit tasting.

You also get:

• A guided fruit tasting at Yarra Farm Fresh, including strawberries
• Wine tasting structure at Hubert Estate (4 wines)
• A complimentary bottle of wine to take home (18+)
• Guided chocolate tasting with 12 chocolates

What you may pay extra for:

• Gin tasting is not included at Rochford, and it’s $25 for 4 gins
• Lunch is not automatically included as a set meal in the base cost. You can upgrade to a gourmet lunch with a glass of wine, or order à la carte
• Any additional purchases, including extra alcohol bottles or souvenirs, are on you

This setup is usually great value if you enjoy sampling and you want a full day without planning the route. If you barely drink or you hate tasting formats, you might feel the price more than you’d like, because you’re still paying for a day that’s built around food and drink stops.

Price and value: why $82.48 can feel like a bargain

At first glance, a day tour sounds expensive. But when you look at what’s covered, the math usually works in your favor.

You’re getting multiple guided tastings across different categories: fruit, wine, chocolate, and ice cream. Hubert Estate includes a structured tasting of 4 wines plus a take-home bottle, which alone can make the day feel like it paid for itself for wine lovers. Rochford adds another guided wine tasting and gives you the option to upgrade your lunch. Then you end with a guided chocolate tasting that includes 12 chocolates, which is not a tiny sample.

The best part for value is that you do not need to drive, navigate, or organize transport between scattered venues. For most visitors to Melbourne, that alone is worth a lot. You also get round-trip comfort in an air-conditioned vehicle, which matters on a full day.

If you decide to add the gin tasting, you’ll raise the total, but you’ll also get a more complete “gin” story. If you skip it, you still get a full food and wine day.

What I’d do to get the most out of this tour

First, eat something light before you go. Even though snacks and water are provided, you’ll enjoy the wine tastings more if you start with food in your system.

Second, keep your wallet for later. Purchases are not included, and lunch is an upgrade or à la carte option at Rochford. If you want a specific lunch style, decide quickly when you arrive so you’re not stressed during a busy time slot.

Third, choose the gin add-on based on taste, not curiosity. At $25 for 4 gins, it’s only a win if you genuinely enjoy gin. If your drink preference is mostly wine, you may be better off saving that money for an extra bottle to take home later or for a lunch upgrade you’ll remember.

Finally, wear comfort-first shoes. You’ll move between venues, and the day is long enough that padding your feet pays off. Sunglasses help too, because the drive out of the city can be bright.

Should you book this Yarra Valley Food, Wine and Gin Tour?

Book it if you want an organized, no-driving day that mixes fruit tastings, structured winery pours, and a big chocolate and ice cream finish. I especially think it’s a good fit for visitors who only have limited time in Melbourne and want the Yarra Valley to feel like an experience, not a logistics problem.

Skip it or consider a different style of tour if you need slow pacing, deep dives at each stop, or a lunch that you expect to be perfect. Also, if gin is a must-have, you’ll want to plan for the opt-in cost, because gin tasting is not included.

If you’re on the fence, here’s the simple decision rule: this tour is built for people who like tasting. If that’s you, the schedule, included wine tastings, and take-home bottle make it strong value for the money.

FAQ

What time does the tour start and how long is it?

The tour starts at 8:15 AM and runs for approximately 8 hours.

Where do I meet the tour?

You meet at the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Federation Square (Flinders St & Russell St), Melbourne VIC 3000.

Is there a mobile ticket?

Yes, the tour includes a mobile ticket.

How many people are on the tour?

The group has a maximum of 20 travelers.

What tastings are included in the price?

You get wine tastings as part of the tour price, plus a guided fruit tasting at Yarra Farm Fresh (including strawberries) and a guided chocolate tasting with 12 Australian chocolates.

Is gin tasting included?

No. Gin tasting is an opt-in experience at Rochford Wines for $25 to taste 4 gins.

Do I get a bottle of wine to take home?

Yes. You receive a complimentary bottle of wine to take home, for guests aged 18 and over.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not listed as included in the tour price. At Rochford, you can upgrade on the day to a gourmet winery lunch with a glass of wine, or order from the venue menu a la carte.

Is bottled water included?

Yes, bottled water is included.

Is cancellation free if plans change?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time for a full refund.