Premium Wine Tasting at Rochford Wines
The tour departs Melbourne between 8am and 9am with selected hotel pick-ups across the city. The first stop is Rochford Wines, one of the Yarra Valley’s most iconic wineries. Guests enjoy a guided tasting from their extensive range of cool climate wines – learning to swirl, sniff, and sip like proper connoisseurs.
Rochford is a striking property. Beyond the tasting, there’s time to explore the gift shop or climb the spiral staircase to the famous lookout tower for panoramic views across the valley. On a clear morning, the landscape rolling out beneath you is enough to make anyone understand why this region produces the wines it does.
Trade tip: Rochford is a strong opening stop because it sets the scene visually. The lookout tower gives guests that first “wow” moment and plenty of photo opportunities. The wine tasting itself is approachable and works well for both wine enthusiasts and those less familiar with Australian cool climate varietals. Note that there’s no breakfast stop on this tour – advise clients to eat before pick-up.
Meet the Cheesemaker at Coldstream Dairy
Next up is Coldstream Dairy, where guests meet the cheesemaker and enjoy a sumptuous cheese platter of freshly made artisan cheeses. This isn’t a factory visit. It’s intimate and hands-on – the kind of experience where you taste something and immediately want to know how it’s made.
The cheeses here are genuinely stunning. Rich, complex, and nothing like what most travellers expect from an Australian dairy. It’s a quiet highlight of the day that consistently surprises people.
Trade tip: Coldstream Dairy is one of those stops that doesn’t look flashy on paper but delivers in person. International travellers often comment that they didn’t expect artisan cheese of this quality in Australia. It’s a good talking point for agents selling the tour to foodie clients. The cheese platter is included in the tour – no additional cost.
Gin Tasting & Wood-Fired Pizza at Stag Lane Distillery
The tour continues to Stag Lane Distillery, where award-winning gin meets wood-fired pizza. Guests enjoy a guided gin tasting, discovering the unique botanicals that set their spirits apart. Then it’s time for a freshly made wood-fired pizza in a cosy, rustic setting.
This stop serves as the main food break for the day. While it’s not a traditional sit-down lunch, the pizza is generous and the atmosphere is relaxed. Gluten-free and vegetarian pizza options are available – just let us know in advance. For clients with more specific dietary requirements (vegan, for example), a note at booking time allows the kitchen to prepare accordingly.
Trade tip: Stag Lane is a crowd favourite. The combination of craft gin and wood-fired pizza in a laid-back distillery setting is exactly the kind of experience that photographs well and feels distinctly Australian. If your clients don’t drink alcohol, they can still enjoy the pizza and the atmosphere – the distillery also produces non-alcoholic options. This is the closest thing to a lunch stop on the tour, so set expectations with clients accordingly.
Free Time in Healesville Township
Nestled in the heart of the Yarra Valley, Healesville is a charming town bursting with artisanal flavours and gourmet delights. Guests have free time to stroll along the vibrant main street, where boutique shops, specialty food stores, and gourmet providores invite browsing, tasting, and the odd impulse purchase.
There’s also a complimentary hot beverage from the award-winning Montesanto Coffee Roasters included in the tour. For clients who want a more substantial meal beyond the Stag Lane pizza, Healesville has plenty of cafes and restaurants where they can grab something extra.
Trade tip: The free time in Healesville is well-placed in the itinerary. After a morning of structured tastings, having time to wander at their own pace works well for most travellers. The town itself is genuinely appealing – not a tourist trap. Clients from Asian markets in particular tend to enjoy the providore shopping here. Coffee from Montesanto is a nice included touch.
Exclusive Chocolate Tasting at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie
The final stop is the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, where guests are welcomed with an exclusive chocolate tasting. Inside, there are displays of thousands of premium chocolates and European chocolatiers at work handcrafting their creations. It’s the kind of place you walk into and immediately lose track of time.
The tasting itself is curated and gives a genuine sense of the craft behind the product. Most guests also end up buying gifts or treats to take home – the retail selection is extensive.
The tour departs the Chocolaterie for the return journey to Melbourne, arriving back in the city at approximately 5:00 to 5:30pm. Guests are dropped at their pick-up locations.
Trade tip: Ending on chocolate is smart itinerary design – it leaves clients on a high. The Chocolaterie is a well-known Yarra Valley attraction and a reliable crowd-pleaser across all demographics and markets. The return time of around 5pm means clients still have their evening free in Melbourne, making this tour easy to slot into a multi-day itinerary without losing a night.
TOUR ESSENTIALS
