Yarra Valley Wine Tours
Fancy yourself rolling through one of Victoria’s most beautiful regions, surrounded by family and friends, tasting some of Australia’s most magnificent wine? This is what a wine tour of the stunning Yarra Valley has to offer.
Welcome to the Yarra Valley
Welcome to the Yarra Valley, Victoria – a place where all your dreams come true. Well, not exactly… that would be false advertising. But it is a place where you’re guaranteed to enjoy a scenic adventure, lip-smacking wine and a day spent with your favourite people.
The Yarra Valley is just an hour away from Melbourne CBD, making it one of the most popular and scenic day trips in Victoria. It’s a ritual for us Melbournians to hop on a bus and head through the rolling green hills of the Yarra Valley.
When you join Boutique Vans for our Yarra Valley Wine Tour, you won’t just see the Yarra Valley. You’ll see our Yarra Valley: the one we’ve spent so much time handpicking the best spots, the secret nooks, the quaint settlements and, of course, the best wineries.
What's included?
Seeing the region in its entirety is a big focus for Boutique Vans. There’s so much more to the Yarra Valley than just its wine and that’s why we’re excited to give you a comprehensive tour of the region. Here’s what’s included when you come join us:
- Full day winery tour
- Wine Tasting at Helen and Joeys Estate
- Wine Tasting at Tokar Estate
- Cider Tasting at Punt Road Orchard Bar
- Lunch included
Sample itinerary
Here’s how a regular day in the Yarra Valley looks when you book in with Boutique Vans:
- 9am – 9.25am: Meet at our pick up point.
- 9.25am: Depart to Yarra Valley.
- 11am: Arrive at Tokar Estate for a wine tasting.
- 12pm: Arrive at Napoleone Cider & Orchard Bar, just a stone’s throw away from the cellar door, nestled next to the Yarra Valley’s largest pink lady apple orchards.
- 1:30-2:30pm lunch
- 3pm: Arrive at Helen & Joey Estate, a cool climate Fernando Vineyard on Spring Lane with horizon views of mountains and hills
- 4pm: Leave Yarra Valley.
- 5-5:30pm: Arrive back in Melbourne.
Here at Boutique Vans, we’re all about giving you a tailor-made tour of the Yarra Valley, so let us know if there are any specific requirements of your group, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your needs.
Punt Road Winery
Napoleone Cider & Orchard Bar
Helen & Joey Estate
Yarra Valley in Summer
The Yarra Valley is a vibrant region all year round, but summer is one of our favourite times to visit. There are pools, rivers, waterparks and, of course, plenty of wineries where you can stay hydrated!
- Seville Water Play Park
The Seville Water Play Park is a family favourite. Right next to the township of Seville, big kids and little kids (and kids who are in disguise as parents) love cooling off under the jets of water. - Healesville Pool
The Healesville outdoor pool is the perfect place to keep nice and cool on a hot summer’s day in the Yarra Valley. Open from December through to March. - Summer Days at the Local Wineries
There’s no better way to spend a summer day in the Yarra Valley than to be tasting world-famous wines with loved ones. Dress smart but comfortable, grab a bunch of friends and hop onto a Boutique Van.
Cellar Door Etiquette
Want to seem like a total wine buff, even if you’re not? Cellar door etiquette is the best way to show you know your way around a tasting, without coming across pretentious either. There are some super easy tricks to follow if you want to exude great wine etiquette while on a Boutique Vans tour of the Yarra Valley wine region.
- Lay off the perfume or cologne
It may sound strange, and it’s one of the only times wear cologne or perfume is discouraged, but it’s actually good manners to not wear heavy scents when on a wine tour. This is so that other patrons can enjoy the natural aromas of the wine without perfume interfering. - There are no silly questions
Don’t be afraid to ask a question – there are no silly questions whatsoever! Winemakers understand that not everybody is going to be a wine expert and part of their passion lies in education. - Buy a bottle if there’s no tasting fee
Another tip is to buy a bottle, but especially if there’s no tasting fee. A bottle of wine always comes in handy – whether it’s for a Saturday night, a special occasion or as a gift later down the track. And if the winery has been generous enough to hand you some tastings, free of charge, it’s a nice gesture to return the favour and purchase a bottle. - Don’t overdo it
We know the wines are delicious and that it’s an occasion to celebrate, but please try not to overdo it! You’ll thank yourself the day after.
5-Step Guide to Tasting Wine
1) Pick up the glass
Pick it up, but don’t raise it to your lips or scull it straight away! Just wait a few moments and hold it up to the light to inspect its colour.
2) Tilt the glass
Don’t tilt it so much that it spills, but tilt it enough so that you can see the colour variation from the rim to the centre of the glass. Check it out. If you don’t know what you’re looking for, just pretend you do!
3) Sniff Test
Everybody’s favourite part: the sniff test. Here, you’ll get to take in all the lovely aromas of the wine, picking up the different notes: citrusy, earthy, nutty – there are a range of different words to describe the smell of the wine.
4) Swirl it and sniff again
Swirling the wine helps to release the most of its aromas. It also makes you look like a boss and it’s super fun to do.
5) Taste it!
Take a good mouthful and let it sit on your tongue for a split second before letting it slide down your gullet, or spit it out if you’re driving. Take note of the different tones: light or weighty? Fruity or acidic? Bold or mild? You don’t need to know all the lingo; you just need to know whether you like it or it’s not your cup of tea.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience in the beautiful Yarra Valley, book in with our team at Boutique Vans.
How to Taste Cider
Tasting cider is slightly different from tasting wine. You might not think it, but cider is also a very complex beverage with a long history – almost as complex as wine. From the old world-style ciders of traditional French, English and Spanish ciders and German apfelwein, to the more modern, easy drinking ciders that tend to be made here in Australia, there’s a lot to consider when you’re doing a cider tasting in the Yarra Valley on a Boutique Vans tour. Here’s what you should be looking out for:
- Appearance – note the look of the cider: is it cloudy or clear? Light or dark? Bubbly or relatively still?
- Aroma – the smell of the cider is another big part of the tasting. Do you find it sweet and floral? Citrusy? Apple-y?
- Flavour – the most important part is how it tastes! Let the cider melt in your mouth and take note of the tones (it’s all about the tones!)
- Overall impression – so, did you dig the cider? While the answer is usually ‘yes’, because Yarra Valley cider is so delicious, there might be some you prefer more than others.
Photo Opportunities
The Yarra Valley is one of the most picturesque regions in Victoria, so it’d be silly not to make the most of the opportunity to get some great snaps. Helen & Joey Estate is by far our favourite place to get gorgeous photos of the landscape, or you and your loved ones in front of it. With evergreen hills as your backdrop, people on Instagram will be thinking you’re in a quaint mountain village in Austria! There’ll be plenty of other stunning shots to take along the way, whether it’s from the bus or during a stop at one of our fantastic Yarra Valley locations.
Choose Boutique Vans for your experience in the Yarra Valley
If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience in the beautiful Yarra Valley, book in with our team at Boutique Vans. Our aim is to make tours widely available for everybody, guaranteeing a super fun and relaxing experience. Our vans feature assisted transport functions and are a popular choice for NDIS-organised events, offering warm, family-oriented service. So, what are you waiting for? A Boutique Van is somewhere close by, waiting for you and your group to fill it.
