If you love wine as much as we do, then you probably know that Yarra Valley is one of the most visited wine regions in the world. Just an hour’s drive from Melbourne, it is a perfect getaway for the locals and a must-visit for tourists.
However, the region has over 80 wineries, so picking which of the Yarra Valley wineries to visit can be a struggle. In fact, with so many choices figure which are the best wineries in Yarra Valley is near impossible unless you’ve tried them all. Good thing we’re here because we did try to visit all of them.
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Before we get into too much detail, here’s a bit of background about the region.
What do Yarra Valley wineries specialise in?
The region specialises in chardonnay and pinot noir grapes, which are seen as Australian staples when it comes to wine. They are also the perfect type of grape for sparkling wine, which Australia is gaining a reputation for as a wine producer.
Over time, as the wine industry matured in Australia, there has been a movement and trend to explore less common varieties such as Nebbiolo, Savagnin and Chenin Blanc. This has proven to be a great success for the wineries in Yarra Valley because they are steadily gaining a reputation for being experimental and more accessible than the old world wineries in Europe.
Here are our top Yarra Valley wineries you need to visit in 2022.
- Pimpernel Vineyards
- Helen and Joey Estate
- Yering Farm
- Dominique Portet
- TarraWarra Estate
- Oakridge Estate Vineyard
- Domaine Chandon
Pimpernel Vineyards
This is probably the least known, but my personal favourite when it comes to Yarra Valley wineries. This small estate produces some of the best wine in the valley and I won’t let anyone say different.
Known for their Pinot Noir, the owners recreated the same soil and limestone mixture from a pinot noir vineyard in Burgandy in their estate, helping them produce an amazing product. Mark and Fiona Horrigan, who run Pimpernel, are meticulous in their approach to wine-making and it shows.
They are quite small, so making a booking is critical if you want to ensure that you get a chance to taste their selection of wines.
Find them at 6 Hill Road, Coldstream, Victoria, 3770
Helen and Joey Estate
Like many in the Yarra Valley, this winery is known for its chardonnay, pinot noir and sparkling varietals. However, where Helen and Joey Estate differentiates itself is through its Wild Child range, which is a range of unique wines and blends that are a bit hard to pin down.
One of our favourites was their take on a Port or fortified wine that packs a kick and has a very pleasant flavour that is a mix of Pinot Noir, Cabernet, Merlot and grape spirit (brandy). Aptly named Wayward Child, it is a unique take on wine that embodies the winery.
They also produce canned wine that was created during the pandemic, which is great for a cheeky afternoon drink that’s not too fussy.
Find them at 12-14 Spring Ln, Gruyere Victoria 3770
Yering Farm
Yering Farm is a small winery that was carved out of an old fruit farm. The winery aptly produces some easy-drinking wines that are fruity in nature. Coupled with their cheese tastings and a very decent cider and beer selection, this offers an enjoyable and non-stuffy wine experience.
The wine is affordable and very easy to drink, which makes them a popular choice for many. On our trip to the region, it was our first stop on the tour and was a great way for us to get acquainted with Australian wines.
Find them at St Huberts Rd, Yering Victoria 3770
Dominique Portet
Founded by ninth-generation winemaker Dominique Portet in 2000, this family-run winery has wine-making in its blood. There is a strong Bordeaux influence in this winery, making it stand out of the Yarra Valley wineries.
The wine tours are geared to give you an immersive experience through the fields and are a great way to try traditional-style wines. Your time there would be ably complemented by the rustic Bordeaux influenced food and the amazing views.
Find them at 870-872 Maroondah Hwy Coldstream, Victoria
TarraWarra Estate
TarraWarra Estate’s wines may not be the best reason to visit this winery. I am in no way saying their wines are not good, but the architecture and overall location on a hill offer truly stunning views that are pretty breath-taking.
The winery does offer some amazing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which you can try in their cellar door, which is cut into a hillside. The tasting gives you a small taste of their vast collection and they have a lot of variety, which means you can potentially find something you like.
We also suggest visiting the TarraWarra Museum of Art, which is in the estate and is a privately funded art museum which showcases art by contemporary Australian artists.
Find them at 311 Healesville-Yarra Glen Rd, Yarra Glen Victoria 3775
Oakridge Estate Vineyard
One of the oldest wineries on our list is Oakridge. While Oakridge has three Yarra Valley locations, their Estate Vineyard is the main winery most people visit. The vineyard consists of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet, Merlot and Semillon, producing an amazing selection of wines for the brand.
The vineyard is known for its restaurant as well and is considered one of the staples of Yarra Valley wineries.
Find them at 864 Maroondah Hwy, Coldstream Victoria 3770
Domaine Chandon
Domaine Chandon has been at the forefront of sparkling wine and is owned by giant champagne producer Moët & Chandon. This is a staple of the Yarra Valley and no visit to the region is complete without a stopover at this luxurious spot.
It is also one of the biggest wineries in the Yarra Valley and offers a food and wine experience that rivals its counterparts in France. The grounds are beautiful and often the backdrop for many Instagram photos. That should be one your list of wineries to visit out of all the Yarra Valley wineries.
Find them at 727 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream, Victoria
Share your favourite Yarra Valley wineries with us
Did we forget any wineries that you think deserve to be on our list? Drop us a message or leave a comment and let us know what we forgot.
