With a wine growing history of over 180 years, the Yarra Valley is Victoria’s oldest wine growing region.
Today it is one of the world’s leading cold climate wine growing regions with internationally known names such as Domaine Chandon, St Huberts and De Bortoli.
Not only is the Yarra Valley famous for its vineyards, it has many other attractions too and we can help you visit all of them.
We know it’s sensible advice to not mix your drinks but what if you’re in a region where you can sample, wine, cider, beer, gin, whisky and locally made liqueurs? It’s hard not to!
The great news is we have contacts across the Valley and can customise your day each and every time to ensure it’s got the perfect blend for you, your group and of course your budget.
Read about our friends and their venues, as well as what our packages look like.
With 4 Cellar doors in Australia and 90 years of wine making experience, the De Bortoli family name is held in high regard across the country and similarly to Rochford, it’s another Yarra Valley bucket list ticker. If your group has been pondering upgrading to a 3 course lunch, this would be a great spot to do so!
VBC Favourite: Noble One
Maybe known by Melbournians more for it’s events than it’s wines, the Valley powerhouse is on many people’s bucket list. Rochford also has two exciting recent additions in 400 Gradi (yes, that pizza!) and their new gin bar. We can stop here for lunch and/or add in a gin tasting too! For groups of 10+ the wine tastings here are set in a fun, informative classroom set up.
VBC Favourite: 2018 Single Isabella’s Chardonnay
Just a stone’s throw from Killara Estate, Paynes Rise is also in the upper Yarra Valley. To us a wine tasting experience is encapsulated by that welcoming and warm atmosphere and that’s why we love the tastings here as the Cellar Door is situated in an 1860s homestead. It’s as much about the wine as it is about being stuck in a moment in history. This is also a great place for lunch.
VBC Favourite: Mr Jed Pinot Noir
Situated in the upper Yarra Valley, the view from Killara Estate’s spacious decking may just be the best in the region. Not only do we love the food here, we love listening to Kevin, as well as owner Leo enrich us with his stories of how his family’s Italian heritage runs through the estate and of course into the wine.
VBC Favourite: Killara Estate Shiraz
The friendly atmosphere is exactly what you get from Louise and co at Fergusson Winery, even their lovely Staffy may give you a warm welcome! Their winery has been beautifully set amongst the trees for over 50 years now. They specialise in cool-climate, light reds and they can go down all too easy! This is also a great option for lunch too.
VBC Favourite: Louise Pinot Noir
Like a lot of things in life, a good wine tasting experience is without a doubt made by the people you meet and the straight talking, insightful and witty crew at Helen and Joeys make it as fun as it is informative. Once you’ve finished having a yarn and taking in the expansive views, grab a brownie from the counter and get a photo on the unicorn, yes, the unicorn!
VBC Favourite: Wayward Child Ilion
Four Pillars have changed the gin game and their home is a little plot of land here in the Valley. We love to stop there but please know that it’s extremely popular and group sizes are limited to 18 people. We’ll do our best for you and your group though!
VBC Favourite: Four Pillars Changing Seasons Gin
Something we love about the Yarra Valley is the mixture of tradition and family history with fearless creative youth. Alchemy is more the latter than the former and their philosophy is simple, pursue creative freedoms and share the adventure along the way. Their Award winning Vodka and Chamomile Gin will leave you wanting more or much more likely, taking a bottle (or 3) home!
VBC Favourite: The Limoncello
We love Watts River Brewing. From their beers, the industrial setting and the fact that it is open at all times of the year. In the Summer you can have the courtyard to yourself and in the winter it rocks that rustic rug up round the fire with a beer kind of vibe. They do great paddles that start the day off a treat!
VBC Favourite: River Session Pale Ale
| Included | Optional Extra | |
|---|---|---|
| Legendary Guide | ||
| Accredited Operator | ||
| Wine Tasting (x3) | ||
| Venue Lunch | ||
| Group Pickup | ||
| Your choice of music, all day | ||
| Free CBD Drink for your whole group | ||
| Pre-Trip Help and Support | ||
| Swap Winery for Distillery | ||
| Swap Winery for Beer/Cider Venue | ||
| Sample Local Produce and Liqueurs | ||
| Upgraded Lunch Options |
Absolutely you can! These packages are our most popular but are there as a guide for you to see what we can include, as well as give you an idea on some prices. We’re able to customise it exactly to what you want because it’s your group’s day right?! You might want to replace a winery with a brewery, cut a venue altogether or change the lunch option, whatever you’d like to do we’ll be able to work that out with you as well as be as open and transparent on how these changes may affect the final price.
You sure can! Mornington Peninsula, The Yarra Valley and The Bellarine Peninsula all have venues specialising in producing different alcohol aside from wine and we can make your whole day about those venues instead. Everyone is different and we get that, you might want to try the latest offering from Four Pillars in the Yarra or smash tinnies at Jetty Road Brewery, we’ll work with you to organise that
That’s right! Every one of our winery tour packages include a free drink (for you and your party) at our favourite Melbourne bar, the epic Mill House on Flinders Lane!
We get it, you’re seeing this phrase a lot here, but what actually is it? Whether it be a winery, a distillery or a brewery, a friendly, helpful and knowledgeable member of the venue’s team will take us through a range of their offerings. Not only should you learn a bit, it’s a fun experience that could well throw up a new favourite drink for you. A normal session would consist of tasting 4-6 different drinks.
You tell us! We can cater for any group size from 2-50 however we do have to consider venue sizes as well as practicalities on tastings. With that in mind we do recommend a maximum of 24. Either way, we’re here to make it work so let us know your thoughts and we’ll work with you to make it happen.
We are all about making it easy for you. If you have no clue on where to go, that’s fine as that’s why we’re here! We’ve been doing this a while and will create your day based on our knowledge of the area, your group size and the experience you’re looking for. Alternatively if you have a venue or 2 you know you want to include, we can aim to work that into your itinerary too.
So whether it’s wineries, breweries or distilleries or you want to go to the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula or the Bellarine, no worries, we can do it all!
Sorry, we leave them at the door of each venue. Yes of course! As long as we know in advance we’ll give the venues a heads up and you and your group will be taken care of!
Bank Transfer is the preferred method but we have Credit Card and PayPal facilities also. We can also set up split payments for your group to make it easier for everyone coming along on the day. Basically, whatever works for you, works for us, that’s what we are all about!
You tell us! We can pick up from a location that works for you and your party within Inner Melbourne but we are also happy to discuss other options. We can add another pickup if on the way/close by but ideally it will be a location everyone from the group can get to.
Got dinner reservations after the big day? We can drop you off at another location if needed.
*Re pickup and drop-off additions, the price may be affected depending on the situation but we’ll be open and honest with you from the start.
Of course you can! As we keep saying, this is your day, not ours. Your day=your tunes. We provide the facilities for you to blast your favorite bangers all day long. Failing that we can promise dad jokes and stock standard banter from all of our drivers.
Absolutely! We want to make it your day so we’re happy for decorations to be up in the bus. The only thing we ask is you take the decorations with you at the end of the day. Not only can it take time to tidy up, it can be awkward for our driver heading home with a fully decorated bus, it looks like no-one turned up to their party.
At Victorian Bus Charters, we pride ourselves on offering a great day out with a very simple process. For too long sorting that perfect day out has been such a drama for the organiser friend, best men, maids of honour and social coordinators. We’ve changed that and we’re making it easy!
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