Wine, chocolate, and gin in one day. This 8-hour Yarra Valley tour runs from central Melbourne to award-winning winery stops, ends with chocolate tasting, and includes a take-home bottle of wine. You also get plenty of time to enjoy the countryside and small extras along the way.

I really like the mix of three distinct winery experiences (St Hubert’s, Tokar Estate, and Rochford) plus a dedicated fruit start and chocolate finish. I also like that the tastings are guided all the way through, so it feels more like learning-by-sipping than standing around.

One thing to watch: lunch is not automatically included, and you’ll need to budget for the day’s food choice and any optional gin tasting.

Key points before you go

• Bottle to take home: 1 bottle of wine included for every full paying adult.
• Three winery tastings built into the day: St Hubert’s (4 wines plus extras), Tokar Estate (3 wines), and Rochford (tasting plus lunch).
• Chocolate tasting with 12 artisan flavors at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie.
• Great use of time from Melbourne CBD: pickup area is central, and you’re back by 4:45 PM.
• Optional gin tasting at Rochford if you want to add a spirit stop to your wine day.
• Comfort varies: a few people noted the mini-bus can feel a bit tired, so plan accordingly.

From Federation Square to Yarra Valley: the day’s rhythm

The tour starts in Melbourne’s city core, with pickup arranged opposite the Forum Theatre at Federation Square. The schedule has the bus arriving around 8:15 AM, then a 9:30 AM start at the first food stop in the Yarra Valley. Expect a full day that balances driving, tastings, and a real break for lunch.

The big win here is pacing. You’re not stuck at one estate for hours. Instead, you get a sequence: fruit to start, then two winery stops, then lunch with more wine, and a chocolate finish. That keeps the day from feeling like a blur of the same thing.

You’ll also likely get roadside wildlife sightings. The tour includes kangaroo sightings and other Australian wildlife along the way, plus drive-through historic towns.

Yarra Farm Fresh fruit tasting: a sweeter warm-up

Your first Yarra Valley stop is Yarra Farm Fresh, with a guided fruit tasting time slot (about 25 minutes). This is a smart opener because you’re tasting local produce before you start the wine pours. It also sets the tone for the day: you’re learning flavors and local growing conditions, not just collecting sips.

If you care about variety, this fruit stop helps a lot. Wine tastings can turn into a taste-only checklist unless you keep grounding your palate. The fruit start makes it easier to enjoy everything that follows at St Hubert’s and Tokar Estate.

Keep in mind that this is a short stop. You’ll taste and move on, so if you want to buy anything, you’ll need to be ready to do it during the allotted time.

St Hubert’s Estate: wine, grounds, and an indigenous art gallery

Next up is St Hubert’s Estate for a guided tasting of 4 premium wines. The time here is longer than the fruit stop (around 45 minutes), which gives you room to slow down and actually pay attention.

This is also where the tour adds more than just wine. You’ll stroll the grounds and visit an indigenous Art Gallery. After that, there’s also the Notes Wine Store included, plus a complimentary bottle of wine offered as a keepsake.

Why this stop matters for your day: St Hubert’s is a solid “anchor” estate. If you’re the type who likes learning the story behind what’s in the glass, this is the place where that usually clicks. The estate setting also helps the day feel special, not only scheduled.

Tokar Estate: smaller pours, boutique feel

Tokar Estate comes next for a guided tasting of 3 handcrafted wines, with a shorter time slot (about 30 minutes). This stop is built for people who want to keep the momentum going without rushing through everything.

Because it’s smaller than the St Hubert’s visit, Tokar can feel like a focused conversation about wine style rather than a wide buffet of options. If you prefer straightforward comparisons—what changes from one wine to the next—this is a good fit.

A practical note: with multiple tastings in one day, you’ll want water and a light hand with purchases unless you know you’re done drinking by the time lunch starts. There’s shopping time later, but you’ll still want your energy.

Rochford Wines: tasting plus lunch, and the optional gin add-on

Rochford Wines is where the day becomes a proper meal day. You get a guided tasting (around 30 minutes), then lunch at Rochford (about 75 minutes). This is also your free time window where you can add an optional gin tasting at an extra cost of $25 per person.

Lunch choices: what you should plan for

Lunch is the one part you need to budget for. You have two options:

• Upgrade on the day to a gourmet lunch with a glass of wine for $50 per person
• Or choose an a la carte meal from the restaurant menu, with a budget around $25–$45 per person

No BYO lunch is allowed.

If you’re trying to decide what to do, I’d treat the $50 upgrade as the “all-in” pick. It saves you from thinking too hard when you’re tired, and it keeps the lunch aligned with the wine theme. If you want flexibility, the a la carte menu can work well, but you’ll need to watch the final bill.

Why Rochford is often the highlight

Rochford is a strong midpoint because it blends tasting, food, and time to reset. It’s also a place where you can pivot your afternoon. If gin sounds interesting, this is your chance before you head to chocolate.

A few people mention different lunch seating options at the Rochford food venue (names like Isabella’s and Il Vigneto show up in descriptions). That can affect the feel of your meal—quiet versus busier, closer to the cellar doors versus more restaurant style—so if atmosphere matters, go with whatever you’re offered on the day.

Chocolate at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie: 12 flavors and a real finish

After lunch and more tasting time, the tour ends at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie. You’ll get a guided tasting of 12 artisan chocolates plus shopping time (about 30 minutes). This is a great closer because chocolate gives you a new set of tastes right after wine, not just another wine pour.

The tasting is designed to be guided, but there’s one practical caution. Some people found the chocolate tasting experience harder to hear if you were in the shop area rather than a more set space. If you’re the type who likes to follow a story while tasting, arrive ready to pay attention and pick a spot where you can hear.

For shopping: this is your time to buy gifts and bottles from the retail areas. It’s not meant to be a long browsing session, but it’s enough to grab a few items without feeling rushed.

What you take home: the included bottle of wine

One of the cleanest value points here is the take-home wine. You receive 1 bottle of wine to take home for each full paying adult, built into the tour price.

That matters for value because it turns your day into a real purchase opportunity without having to negotiate tastings that cost extra. You still might buy more bottles from the wineries, but you’re not walking away empty-handed.

Also, since the tour includes both tastings and time in shops like the Notes Wine Store, you’re set up to bring back souvenirs that match your preferences. If you’re choosing your favorites at St Hubert’s and Tokar, this bottle-to-go keeps it simple: you get a guaranteed keepsake plus the option to spend more.

Comfort, group vibe, and who this tour fits best

This is an 8-hour day trip with a coach/mini-bus style ride from Melbourne. Most of the day is planned around stops, so the main “comfort risk” is the time spent seated on the way out and back.

A few people specifically noted the mini-bus can feel worn or uncomfortable. That doesn’t mean it’s a disaster, but it does mean you should treat seat comfort like a real factor. Bring a light layer, and if you’re sensitive to stiffness, plan to stretch when you can during stops.

This tour also has clear suitability rules:

• Not suitable for children under 14
• Not suitable for wheelchair users

On the plus side, the day is set up for adults who like food and drink, and it’s ideal for anyone visiting Melbourne for a short stay. You get a structured Yarra Valley experience without needing to rent a car.

It also works well if you want a guide who keeps the day moving and makes the stops feel connected. Many comments focus on guides being funny and warm, while also sharing stories about Melbourne and the Yarra Valley region. That blend is what turns wine tasting into an outing, not a checklist.

Price and value: is $91 worth it?

At $91 per person for an 8-hour tour, the base price is mainly paying for:

• Transportation between Melbourne CBD and the Yarra Valley
• Guided tastings at multiple stops
• A dedicated chocolate tasting
• The included wine bottle take-home

Lunch is not included in the base fare. So the true “what it costs” depends on which lunch path you choose at Rochford:

• $50 for the gourmet lunch + a glass of wine
• Or $25–$45 a la carte

Then there’s the optional gin tasting at $25 per person.

If you do the $50 upgrade and skip gin, you’re likely around the mid-$140 range all-in (before any extra shopping). If you go a la carte and skip gin, you can keep it closer to the lower end. Either way, the value comes from the included bottle and the number of guided tastings you get in one day without extra transport planning.

Should you book this Yarra Valley food, wine, chocolate, and gin tour?

I’d book it if you want a structured, adult-friendly day out that mixes fruit, three winery tastings, lunch time, and chocolate without needing to drive. The included take-home bottle is a big reason this works for value, especially if you’d rather buy one great souvenir bottle than guess what to pack.

I’d think twice if:

• Lunch costs feel like a dealbreaker for you, since you’ll be paying extra on the day
• You’re very sensitive to seat comfort on a coach/mini-bus ride
• You prefer a chocolate tasting in a more quiet, purpose-built room where you can hear every word clearly

If your goal is a single, well-paced Yarra Valley day with tastings and a memorable finish, this is a strong match.

FAQ

How long is the Melbourne: Yarra Valley Food, Wine, Chocolate & Gin Tour?

The tour duration is 8 hours.

Where do I meet the tour?

Meet opposite the Forum Theatre in front of the Federation Square Entrance. Look for the Rick’s Wine Tours bus.

What time does the bus depart and when do we return?

The schedule has the bus arriving at the Ian Potter Centre (NGV Australia) at 8:15 AM, departing Melbourne CBD at 8:30 AM, and returning to Melbourne CBD at 4:45 PM.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included. At Rochford Wines you can upgrade on the day to a gourmet lunch with a glass of wine for $50 per person, or choose an a la carte lunch from the menu (budget $25–$45 per person). No BYO lunch is allowed.

Is gin tasting included?

Gin tasting is optional and costs $25 per person at Rochford Wines.

Is the wine tasting included?

Yes. You visit three wineries with tastings included, and you also receive 1 bottle of wine to take home for each full paying adult.

Is the tour suitable for kids or wheelchair users?

No. It is not suitable for children under 14 and it is not suitable for wheelchair users. The tour also runs rain or shine.