Wine country starts in outer suburbia north of the Maroondah Highway just before Lilydale (turn-offs are signposted). North of Lilydale, you can check out wineries (again, all signposted) along or near three routes – the Warburton Highway to the east, the Maroondah Highway to Healesville, and the Melba Highway heading north past Yarra Glen.
The brochure Wineries of the Yarra Valley contains a complete list of all wineries and a map of their locations. Even better is the detailed booklet Wine Regions of Victoria – both are available at tourist information centres. Yering Station – Yarrabank Vineyards, south of Yarra Glen just off the Melba Highway is located at the site of the Yarra Valley’s first vineyard, Chateau Yering, established in 1838 and re-established in 1988. The cellar door operates from the original brick building; there’s also a wine bar and an art gallery. For real comfort and luxury, wine and dine next door at Café Sweetwater or elegant Eleonore’s Restaurant in the magnificently restored Chateau Yering Historic House, then sink into a four-poster bed in one of their period-style rooms (tel 03/9237 3333, fax 9237 3300; $95 and over).
Equally unique and beautiful is De Bortoli Winery & Restaurant (bookings advisable; tel 03/5965 2271) whose building, the interior decoration and the excellent food all betray strong influences of Northern Italy. It is in an unbeatable location at Pinnacle Lane, off the Melba Highway at Dixon’s Creek north of Yarra Glen, with views over gently rolling hills.
On the Maroondah Highway, Domaine Chandon, near the town of Coldstream, is owned by the French champagne house Möet et Chandon, producing fine méthode champenoise sparkling wine, which you can sample ($6–8 per glass) in a modern, bright and airy tastings room with brilliant views. Free guided thirty-minute tours depart hourly from 11am to 4pm. Eyton on Yarra winery and restaurant further up towards Healesville, at the corner of Maroondah Highway and Hill Rd (tel 03/5962 2119), a relative newcomer on the gourmet scene, specializes in locally produced food and pinot noir, merlot and chardonnay wines. From October–March there are concerts at the Eyton on Yarra-soundshell (Summer Music series).
Off the Warburton Highway detours there are four wineries, including Yarra Burn on Settlement Road at Yarra Junction. The food at the restaurant can be classified as hearty “Australian country” cuisine (lunches daily; Fri & Sat dinner); B&B accommodation is available in the homestead.
For more regional information on the Yarra Valley, go to: