Top Wineries to Visit from Melbourne to Yarra Valley

Planning a wine getaway near Melbourne? Exploring the top wineries to visit from Melbourne to Yarra Valley is a great way to experience award-winning wines, vineyard restaurants, and beautiful countryside scenery. While many visitors come for a day trip, staying a little longer lets you enjoy the region at a slower pace. This guide highlights the best wineries along the route.

Planning your Melbourne to Yarra Valley winery route

The drive from Melbourne CBD to the Yarra Valley typically takes around 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic and your chosen destination. Most visitors travel via the Eastern Freeway (M3) before joining Maroondah Highway (B360), a straightforward route that passes through Melbourne’s eastern suburbs before opening into the region’s rolling vineyards and countryside.

To enjoy a relaxed day, leave Melbourne in the morning to avoid peak traffic and allow plenty of time at each winery. Most cellar doors open from 10 or 11 am, making it easy to arrive in time for your first tasting. If you plan to visit multiple wineries, allow 20 to 30 minutes for driving between stops and consider staying overnight instead of rushing back to the city. This gives you more time to enjoy long lunches, scenic views, and wine tastings without feeling rushed.

Top wineries to visit from Melbourne to Yarra Valley

Giant Steps

• Location: 314 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville VIC 3777, Australia
• Opening hours:
  • Monday and Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday to Saturday: 11 AM-5 PM
  • Sunday:  12-4 PM
• Price range:
  • By The Glass: From $12/glass
  • Others: From $30 – $60 per person
• Distance from Melbourne: 1 hour drive

Giant Steps is one of the Yarra Valley’s leading wineries, best known for its award-winning cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Rather than offering a broad wine list, its tastings focus on comparing wines from different single vineyards, giving visitors a deeper understanding of how terroir shapes each wine’s character. The modern cellar door in Healesville has a relaxed, intimate atmosphere, with knowledgeable staff who guide guests through each tasting, making it an excellent choice for anyone wanting a more authentic and educational wine experience.

Oakridge Wines

• Location: 864 Maroondah Hwy, Coldstream VIC 3770, Australia
• Opening hours: Daily, 10 AM-5 PM
• Price range: From $15 per person 
• Distance from Melbourne: 1 hour and 19 minutes drive

Oakridge is one of the Yarra Valley’s most acclaimed wineries, recognised for its elegant, age-worthy Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that showcase the region’s cool-climate vineyards. Visitors can choose from several guided tasting flights, including single-vineyard and Chardonnay masterclasses, while enjoying sweeping vineyard and mountain views from the modern cellar door. With its refined yet welcoming atmosphere, Oakridge is an ideal destination for wine lovers seeking premium tastings in a scenic setting.

Yering Station

• Location: 38 Melba Hwy, Yering VIC 3770, Australia
• Opening hours:
  • Weekday: 10 AM-5 PM
  • Weekend: 10 AM-6 PM
• Price range: From $15-35 per person
• Distance from Melbourne: 1 hour and 14 minutes drive

Founded in 1838, Yering Station is Victoria’s oldest vineyard and one of the Yarra Valley’s most iconic wine destinations. Beyond its cellar door, the estate combines award-winning wines with a contemporary restaurant, an art gallery, and beautifully restored heritage buildings overlooking the vineyards. Wine tastings feature a broad selection of estate-grown wines, making Yering Station a great stop for visitors who want to pair premium wine with a long lunch and a relaxed afternoon surrounded by classic Yarra Valley scenery. 

Explore more: 10 Most Stunning Yarra Valley Gardens & Nearby Spots To Explore

TarraWarra Estate

• Location: 311 Healesville-Yarra Glen Rd, Yarra Glen VIC 3775, Australia
• Opening hours:
  • From Tuesday to Sunday: 11 AM-5 PM
  • Monday: Closed
• Price range: From $80 per person
• Distance from Melbourne: 1 hour and 22 minutes drive

TarraWarra Estate offers a refined winery experience that blends premium wine, contemporary architecture, and Australian art in one destination. Known for producing elegant wines, the estate also features the TarraWarra Museum of Art nearby, allowing visitors to combine a cellar door tasting with a cultural experience rarely found elsewhere in the Yarra Valley. The elevated setting, modern tasting spaces, and peaceful vineyard views make TarraWarra Estate a popular choice for travellers looking for a slower, more sophisticated day out.

SOUMAH of Yarra Valley

• Location: 18 Hexham Rd, Gruyere VIC 3770, Australia
• Opening hours: 10 AM-5 PM
• Price range: From $18.00 per class
• Distance from Melbourne: 1 hour and 23 minutes drive

Inspired by the wine regions of northern Italy, SOUMAH of Yarra Valley offers a distinctive experience that sets it apart from many traditional Yarra Valley wineries. The estate specialises in Italian grape varieties such as Nebbiolo, Brachetto and Savarro, alongside cool-climate classics, giving visitors the opportunity to try wines that are less common in the region. Complete your visit with authentic Italian cuisine at the onsite restaurant, where handmade pasta and regional dishes are thoughtfully paired with estate wines.

How to plan the perfect winery road trip

• Book cellar door tastings and vineyard restaurants in advance, especially on weekends.
• Visit three or four wineries rather than trying to see too many in one day.
• Include a long lunch to break up wine tastings and enjoy local produce.
• Nominate a designated driver or arrange transport if everyone plans to taste wine.
• Stay overnight to turn your winery road trip into a relaxing weekend escape.

Unwind at Flowerdale Estate after your winery tour

After exploring the Yarra Valley’s renowned wineries, extend your getaway with a stay at Flowerdale Estate. Conveniently located between Melbourne and the Yarra Valley in the picturesque Valley of a Thousand Hills, the estate is an ideal place to unwind after a day of cellar door tastings before heading home. Surrounded by rolling countryside, it offers a slower pace and everything you need for a relaxing country escape in one destination.

During your stay, you can enjoy:

• Accommodation for every type of getaway, including Estate King Rooms, luxury glamping tents, and a private Guest House for families or groups.
• Seasonal dining at Gracie’s Restaurant, showcasing fresh local produce alongside regional wines.
• A traditional High Tea experience, perfect for a leisurely afternoon in the countryside.
• Farm experiences and friendly resident animals, offering a relaxing rural atmosphere that’s enjoyable for both couples and families.

Explore Flowerdale Estate’s accommodation and turn your winery road trip into a relaxing country escape.