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The best wineries and cellar doors to visit in the Yarra Valley
From the best cellar doors to the most beautiful vineyard lunches and views, here are the top wineries to visit in the Yarra Valley and surrounds.
The Yarra Valley stands as one of Victoria’s most celebrated wine regions, renowned for its picturesque landscapes, vibrant cellar doors, and exceptional diversity of wine varietals.
“What makes the region so special to me is the diversity of the varietals that are grown, the quality of the wines, the aesthetics of the landscape, and the fact that it’s an hour’s drive from central Melbourne,” says RACV City Club Sommelier Camm Whiteoak.
He says Yarra Valley's ‘rich history’ is part of what makes the region so remarkable. It was crowned the state’s first official wine region in 1838, after brothers William, Donald and James Ryrie settled there in 1837, establishing the area’s first commercial vineyard on the property where Chateau Yering now stands.
“It was one of the most significant wine growing regions in Australia, but suffered a substantial decline, only to be revived again in the early 1970s,” Whiteoak says.
Today, there are more than 80 vineyards and cellar doors to explore, making the area one of Victoria’s most visited day trip destinations. While popular year-round, Whiteoak’s favourite time to visit is autumn.
“The golden hues of the leaves, combined with still, warm days and crisp nights makes it the most vibrant and beautiful time of the year," he says.
His advice when visiting? “Planning to have the last winery visit within walking distance of your accommodation is always a good idea."
Accommodation ranges from caravan parks and self-contained cottages to farm stays and resorts, including RACV Healesville Country Club & Resort.
To sip your way around the region's best wineries, these top Yarra Valley vino destinations are our pick of the bunch.
Opening times for cellar doors are provided as a general guide; please refer to each winery’s website for the most up-to-date details.
Best Yarra Valley wine regions
Soumah focuses on French and northern Italian varietals from its winery in Gruyere. Image: Visit Victoria.
The best wineries and cellar doors to visit in the Yarra Valley
Lilydale
Helen's Hill
16 Ingram Road, Lilydale. Open Thursday – Monday, 10:00am to 5:00pm.
It is important “not to ignore the smaller wineries and cellar doors,” says Whiteoak. One of the Yarra Valley’s best-kept cellar door secrets is Helen’s Hill.
With a sun-drenched wine deck, sumptuous pizza selection and a range of crisp, estate-grown wine, this laid-back single vineyard is one of the region’s go-to sip spots for a winery lunch in the Yarra Valley.
Billanook Estate
280 Edward Road, Chirnside Park. Open Friday - Sunday 10:00am to 5:00pm.
Lovers of Italian flavours and culture in Melbourne can’t go past this cellar door. Billanook Estate was established by the D’Aloisio family in 1994 and, over the last 25 years, has positioned itself as a premium destination for Italian grape varieties, cuisine and, most importantly, hospitality.
Gruyere
Soumah of Yarra Valley
18 Hexham Road, Gruyere. Open 10:00am to 5:00pm daily.
Soumah – a portmanteau for South of Maroondah – is all about provenance, and its wines are a celebration of both its Yarra Valley terroir, and the French and northern Italian varietals on which it staked its reputation as one of the best cellar doors in the Yarra Valley.
If you really want to soak up the atmosphere, traditional northern Italian fare is the name of the game at Soumah. The garlic and chilli crab pasta is a must-try, and washes down a treat with the award-winning 2019 pinot grigio.
Helen & Joey Estate
12-14 Spring Lane, Gruyere. Open 11:00am to 5:00pm daily.
As the namesake would suggest, the vineyard was purchased in 2010 by Helen and Joey, where the views from their winery alone make it worth the visit.
Lush vineyards that stretch into rugged mountainous horizons set a stunning scene at this relaxed cellar door, which is nestled into the Gruyere foothills. This is the ultimate wine lovers’ destination for some of the most beautiful winery views in the Yarra Valley.
Pull up a deck chair and sip on a glass of Wayward Child Pinot Gris or Inara Pinot Noir while savouring a platter of four cheeses and homemade quince. As of 2023, Helen & Joey Estate also features Re'em Yarra Valley - a restaurant and boutique accommodation offering for anyone looking to extend their visit.
Yarra Yering
4 Briarty Rd, Gruyere. Open 10:00am to 5:00pm daily.
Producing what Whiteoak calls “some of the best red wines the Yarra Valley has to offer,” Yarra Yering is one of the oldest wineries and cellar doors in the region. It was established in 1969 with inspiration from wineries in Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal.
As one of the top wineries in the Yarra Valley, visitors can indulge in a tasting of eight wines, including the dry red varieties and vintage Agincourt Cabernet Malbec.
Try one of the four wine tasting experiences offered at the acclaimed Oakridge Winery. Image: Visit Victoria.
Coldstream
Maddens Rise
Corner Maroondah Highway and Maddens Lane, Coldstream. Open weekends 10:30am to 4:30pm.
If you’re a lover of all things artisan, Maddens Rise is sure to tickle your tastebuds as a top cellar door in the Yarra Valley.
The 2017 Arcobaleno – which is Italian for rainbow – is a stunner. This delicious field blend features a selection of hand-picked, small-batch fermented grapes (vermentino, chenin Blanc, Garganega and Fiano), made with minimum intervention.
Many Hands Winery
2 Maxwells Road, Coldstream. Open Friday - Monday, 11:00am– 5:00pm.
Pull up a chair and settle in for a woodfired feast overlooking the beautiful winery views at Many Hands Winery.
Here, the restaurant is all about Sicilian-style home cooking, with a rotating menu of local produce that changes with the seasons. Pairing this cuisine with wines – which lean towards more classic Yarra Valley varietals of cabernet, pinot noir and chardonnay – is a match made in heaven.
Domain Chandon
727 Maroondah Hwy, Coldstream. Open 11:00am to 4:30pm daily.
Whiteoak’s favourite for “premium sparkling wine,” Domain Chandon is definitely a spot to impress guests or visitors you’re taking on a tour of the Yarra Valley, with beautiful winery views of rollicking hills through stunning floor to ceiling windows.
A visit to Chandon includes sparkling wine tastings, with dining experiences from tasting platters and three course menus, to a sparkling brunch or winemaking expedition.
Oakridge Wines
864 Maroondah Hwy, Coldstream. Open 10:00am to 5:00pm daily.
Offering stunning views and the chance to taste award-winning wines, the Oakridge winery and cellar door specialise in pinot noir and chardonnay form hand-picked grapes from onsite vines.
Their cellar door offers four different wine tasting experiences, including a chardonnay masterclass and a wine flight showcasing the winery's acclaimed 864 range.
Dominique Portet Winery
870-872 Maroondah Hwy, Coldstream. Open 10:00am to 5:00pm daily.
Dominique Portet's legendary family-run cellar door is inspired by France, with a French L’Apéro menu served a la carte in their cosy indoors or their outdoor terrace, taking in the splendid winery views of the Yarra Valley.
The label is backed by ten generations of wine-making experience, with the eponymous Dominique Portet and son Ben Portet currently leading the 25-year-old winery. Family-friendly and social events are held regularly throughout the year.
Enjoy lunch and a glass of wine at TarraWarra Estate before taking a stroll around the sculpture garden and art museum. Image: Visit Victoria.
Yarra Glen
Yileena Park
271 Steels Creek Road, Yarra Glen. Open Thursday - Sunday, 11:00am to 5:00pm.
When it comes to intimate winery experiences, Yileena Park is about as up-close-and-personal as it gets.
“Views go a long way," says Whiteoak, “however, having friendly and knowledgeable staff [is what] will make the cellar door experience memorable.”
Established in 1998, this family-owned-and-run cellar door is all about passion – which is evident in everything from the wines and their tastings to the oak-smoked meats, cheeses and even salts.
TarraWarra Estate
311 Healesville-Yarra Glen Road, Yarra Glen 3775. Open Tuesday – Sunday, 11:00am to 5:00pm.
A cellar door with what Whiteoak calls “seriously good wine,” the breathtaking 400ha TarraWarra Estate encompasses an impressive vineyard, cellar door, restaurant, and nature reserve. Their seasonal menu is created from local suppliers and the in-house kitchen garden, with regular dining events on their event roster.
Visitors can indulge in a glass, tasting, paired set menu or cellar door club experience, from a vintage Reserve Pinot Noir to the Roussanne Viognier Marsanne. Don't miss the art museum next door either - it hosts an impressive sculpture park plus an ever-changing exhibition program featuring major Australian and First Nations artists.
With its casual, urban aesthetic, Payten & Jones is something of a palate cleanser amongst wineries. Image: Hugh Davison / Visit Victoria.
Healesville
Boat O'Craigo
458 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville. Open Thursday – Monday, 10:00am to 5:00pm.
Drink in the delightful winery views of Healesville's rolling hills with a date on the deck at Boat O'Craigo. The family-run winery makes a range of premium wines using estate-grown grapes from two sites.
There's the cooler Healesville vineyard, which is nestled into the foothills of the Black Spur Ranges and grows white grape varieties, while the warmer Kangaroo Ground outcrop is dedicated to delicious reds.
To match their highly rated wines, there is also an on-site kitchen rolling out thin based, seasonally inspired pizzas, charcuterie boards and salads.
Payten and Jones
3 Lilydale Rd, Healesville. Open 12:00pm – 4:30pm daily.
Started by high school friends, Payten and Jones are the rockstar winemakers of the Yarra Valley, with graffiti-covered walls and live music sessions, providing the most relaxed and fun cellar door experience in town.
Choose from a selection of 20 wines for tasting from their vineyards in Australia and Spain, such as the house special Oohlala! – a part port, part vermouth distilled brandy from Shiraz.
Jayden Ong Winery & Cellar Bar
8 Hunter Rd, Healesville. Open Friday - Saturday 12:00pm to 9:00pm; Thursday and Sunday 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Jayden Ong Winery & Cellar Bar’s approach to “innovative wines,” says Whiteoak, is just one aspect that helps this venue to “distinguish it from the others.”
Jayden, a hospitality legend in Victoria, has created one of the best food and wine experience in the valley with high-end dishes that are prepared over the open fire, matched to some of the most delicious wines the region produces.
When it comes to said wines, their forest garden estate focuses on reds, including the high-altitude vineyard Forest Green and the organically farmed Chestnut Hill.
Jayden Ong Winery & Cellar Bar is located in the heart of Healesville, just a short walk from RACV Healesville Country Club and Resort . Image: Ashley Ludkin / Visit Victoria.
Dixons Creek
Steels Gate Wines
1974 Melba Highway, Dixons Creek Open Thursday and Monday, 11:00am to 4:00pm; Friday – Sunday 11:00am to 5:00pm.
Brad Atkins and Matthew Davis began producing wines from their Dixons Creek block in 2010 and, over the last 10+ years, have established themselves as serious wine contenders in Steels Gate Wines.
Theirs is a handmade approach to winemaking, which lends the wines a sense of refinement, fun and finesse.
Wandin East
Sir Paz Estate
54 Parker Road, Wandin East. Open Friday – Sunday, 10:30am to 5:00pm.
If you’re in the mood for a little sweetness, head to Sir Paz Estate. A former chestnut grove, this picture-perfect winery – the highest-altitude in the Yarra Valley – is housed in an impressive hilltop chateau that boasts sweeping 360-degree views over the Yarra Valley. It’s an undiscovered gem that is well worth the visit.
