Wine tasting & winery tours

Wine tasting tours from Melbourne mostly head to one of three places: the Yarra Valley, the Mornington Peninsula, or the Bellarine Peninsula. Most are full-day trips with winery tastings, a lunch and return transport, so you can try the wine without driving. There are also a few options for two at De Bortoli in the Yarra Valley, and for pairing a winery with Phillip Island.

Yarra Valley winery tours from Melbourne

The Yarra Valley Winery Tour with Lunch leaves daily from the Immigration Museum on Flinders Street, with a wine expert as your guide, tastings at Yering Farm, Greenstone Wines and Soumah Wines, and a lunch with a glass of wine. The Yarra Valley Winery and Chocolate Tasting Tour with Lunch adds tastings at four wineries and chocolate at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, with hotel pickup.

For something with a bit more variety, the Yarra Valley Wine, Spirits and Chocolate Tour includes Four Pillars gin, cider and wine tastings and a flexible 9am to 5pm day. The Vintages and Villages Day Tour visits three boutique wineries and leaves time to explore Healesville, and it's for adults only.

Wine tastings for two at De Bortoli

At De Bortoli's Yarra Valley Estate in Dixons Creek, the Wine Tasting and Three-Course Lunch for 2 pairs a cellar door cheese and wine flight with a three-course lunch and a matched wine with each course, from 11.30am to 12.30pm start times. For a more private option, the Private Tasting, Tour and Lunch for 2 adds a behind-the-scenes winery tour and lunch at Locale Restaurant.

Mornington Peninsula wine tours

The Mornington Peninsula Winery Bus Tour visits four wineries with a lunch and a glass of wine, on Fridays and Sundays at 9am. If you'd like a soak as well, the Wine, Bays and Springs Tour combines a Red Hill winery lunch and wine tasting with a 3-hour visit to the Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs and a walk to an Arthurs Seat lookout.

To go at your own pace, the Mornington Peninsula Self-Guided Bike Tour rides the Red Hill Rail Trail with a wine tasting at Stonier Estate, and the Hop On Hop Off Bus Pass runs on weekends with winery stops from a timetable.

Bellarine and Phillip Island wine days

The Around the Bay Food and Wine Tour starts on the Geelong waterfront and visits Scotchmans Hill and Jack Rabbit Vineyard, has a winery lunch, a beer tasting at St Andrews brewery, and a ferry crossing of the bay. The Phillip Island Wine, Wildlife and Penguins Tour pairs a boutique winery tasting and a wood-fired lunch with the Penguin Parade, in a small group.

Choosing a winery tour from Melbourne

The Yarra Valley is the straightforward pick for a day of cellar doors. The Mornington Peninsula suits a coastal day with a hot springs or bike option, and the Bellarine suits those who want wine, beer and a ferry in one day. For brunch with wine, see the Melbourne brunch page.

Frequently asked questions

What time do the winery tours from Melbourne leave?

Most leave in the morning. The Yarra Valley Winery Tour with Lunch pickups commence at 9.15am, and the Mornington Peninsula Winery Bus Tour departs at 9am. The Around the Bay Food and Wine Tour departs at about 8.30am.

Is lunch included on the Melbourne winery tours?

Many tours include a winery lunch with a glass of wine, including the Yarra Valley Winery Tour with Lunch and the Mornington Peninsula Winery Bus Tour. The Yarra Valley Wine, Spirits and Chocolate Tour lists lunch at your own expense.

Can kids come on the Yarra Valley wine tours?

It depends on the tour. The Yarra Valley Vintages and Villages Day Tour is for adults only and does not permit children.

Is there a Mornington Peninsula wine tour with hot springs?

Yes. The Mornington Peninsula Wine, Bays and Springs Tour includes a Red Hill winery lunch and tasting, plus a 3-hour visit to the Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs.

Wine in Victoria is an easy day trip from Melbourne. Pick a region, book the tour and let someone else do the driving. For more food and drink ideas, browse the Melbourne food and drinks page.