Nine hours, lots of pours, zero stress. This laid back Yarra Valley tour is built for good food, good drinks, and an easy day out, starting with a central Melbourne meeting point and a small group feel. I like that you get tastings at multiple stops, with acoustic guitar live entertainment keeping the mood light.

You’ll also love the mix of flavors: classic Yarra Valley wine, a cider spotlight, plus a gin paddle or a beer paddle option, and then a private chocolate tasting with 10 to 12 tastings. One thing to plan for, though, is that lunch is not included, so you’ll pay at the restaurant during the Huberts or Domaine Chandon meal stop.

Quick hits before you go

• Central meeting point at 74 Spring St, East Melbourne, near the Railway Station, with no hotel pickup unless you can meet on the way
• Small-group feel with a max of 18 people booking, using a 24-seat bus or a 13-seat van when needed
• Food and drink variety across wine, cider, gin, beer, cheese-adjacent stops, and a dedicated chocolate and ice cream factory visit
• Guides who keep the day flowing, with acoustic guitar live entertainment and options for different tastes
• Two lunch choices where you order and pay on the spot, either at St Huberts or at Domaine Chandon

Getting to the Yarra Valley: Spring St start and the pace of an 8.5-hour day

This tour runs about 8 hours 30 minutes with a 9:00 am start, and it ends back at the same meeting point. That matters, because you are not dealing with hotel shuttles or figuring out who gets dropped off where. You just show up at 74 Spring St, East Melbourne, and then let the day roll.

The other thing I appreciate is the vehicle setup. They run mainly a 24-seat air-conditioned bus, and when it’s busy they add a second vehicle with 13 seats. They also purposely avoid filling the bus, aiming for a more intimate group vibe. Still, you should expect the seating to be close if the van or bus is close to full.

If you’re the type who likes to have a plan, you’ll find comfort here because the tour is structured: several tastings are included, and the rest of the day moves stop to stop on a schedule. The overall feel is laid back rather than rushed, but it stays on time so you don’t lose the flow of tastings.

Practical tip: bring a light layer. Morning can feel cooler, and later wineries can get warmer. Also, plan your water and snacks mindset, because you’re sampling alcohol at multiple stops.

What’s actually included: $93.24 gets tastings, paddles, and a chocolate session

At $93.24 per person, you’re mostly paying for three things: transport out to the Yarra Valley, a guided tasting day, and a stack of included drinks and tastings.

From what’s listed, you get:

• Tastings at 4 venues, including 6-7 tastings at each of those 4 stops (with one extra stop that’s a lunch stop and does not include a tasting)
• Beverages and alcoholic beverages during the included tasting moments
• A guided experience with a driver/guide
• Live entertainment with acoustic guitar
• A private chocolate tasting at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery (included)

You’ll notice lunch is the big missing piece. The day is priced to cover tasting experiences, not a full sit-down meal. So if you tend to order freely when you’re out, budget extra at lunch.

Also note the tour has a “small-group” design, but it is still a public group tour. If you’re traveling with friends who want total control of pace, you can book a private tour option only if the operator discusses it, but this one is meant for mixed groups.

Stop-by-stop: Yering Farm and Tokar Estate (wine and cider with real character)

Stop 1: Yarra Valley orientation (50 minutes)

Your day starts with a general Yarra Valley stop, time built in for the tour flow. This is where the day’s structure locks in and you get moving into tastings and scenery. It’s also a good window to settle in, grab water if you want it, and get used to the “sample, chat, move on” rhythm.

Stop 2: Yering Farm Wines (about 40 minutes)

This is a highlight stop for cider lovers. At Yering Farm, you’ll do tastings like 5-6 wines, plus an incredible Pink Lady Apple Cider. That cider detail matters because it gives you a non-boring angle on the Yarra Valley. You’re not locked into only reds and whites. You’re tasting fruit-forward stuff, with the same winery energy but a different flavor lane.

Yering Farm is also described as small and family-run, which usually translates to a more intimate tasting setting than the big-deal production vibe. You’ll still be in a group format, but it feels more personal than some “pour-and-out” stops.

Stop 3: Tokar Estate (about 40 minutes)

Tokar Estate is your next tasting. Plan for a tasting set of 5 wines with incredible views. This is the stop where the scenery is part of the experience. Wine tastings are better when you’re not staring at a wall, and Tokar’s views are built into why you stop there.

One watch-out: some tastings are brief by design. This day is about hitting multiple places, so you’re doing focused tasting sessions rather than deep, time-heavy conversations at every venue.

Lunch decisions at St Huberts or Domaine Chandon: order/pay on your own

After the earlier tastings, you’ll have a lunch stop at St Huberts Cellar Door. The restaurant is called Quarters. The menu is QR coded, and you can order with wait staff. Lunch itself is not included in the price, so this is a real chance to spend extra.

If you’d rather change scenery for lunch, they offer an alternative at Domaine Chandon. You’d get about 80 minutes there to enjoy lunch or drinks at your own expense, depending on how the day is arranged.

My practical advice here: before you choose anything, scan what you’re hungry for. If you’re tasting more alcohol later (gin or beer options are coming), you might want lunch that won’t leave you too heavy. Think balance, not just volume.

Also, because lunch is not included, this is where your budget can swing. If you keep it simple, the overall deal stays strong.

Four Pillars gin, Watts River beer, or Payten & Jones wine: choose your vibe

This is the most flexible part of the day. The distillery or brewery stop you do can vary based on what option is offered that day:

Option A: Four Pillars Distillery (about 30 minutes)

At Four Pillars, you’ll try 4 gins on a paddle. You can mix with tonic or soda, and that’s part of the included setup. If you don’t like gin or want something different, they say you can choose alternatives, but the core structure is still a guided tasting flight.

This stop is ideal if you want a break from only wine, and it’s fun because gin tasting tends to be sensory. You get different botanicals and styles, and mixing helps you explore rather than just sip neat.

Option B: Watts River Brewing (about 30 minutes)

If gin isn’t your thing, you may go to Watts River Brewing instead. You’ll try 4 beers on a paddle, and that paddle is included. It’s a small craft brewery and local favorite, based on how the stop is described.

This option works well if you want something more casual and sessionable. Beer also pairs easier with lunch choices, depending on what you order.

Option C: Payten & Jones Wines (about 30 minutes)

There’s also an alternative wine stop at Payten & Jones Wines, positioned as an option if you want to keep the day wine-focused, replacing the gin stop. You’d still get a tasting-style experience in that time window.

This is for you if you’re thinking, I want more wine, less spirits. You’ll likely enjoy the flow if you’re a classic red and white person who wants fewer “mix and match” stops.

Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery: the tasting that feels special

The chocolate stop is where the tour slows just enough to feel like a treat, not just another tasting room.

At Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, you get a private tasting of 10-12 chocolates over about 25 minutes. After that, there’s time to buy chocolate if you want, and you can also take advantage of the ice cream section.

This is one of the best value parts of the tour, because chocolate tasting tends to be a structured experience even for non-chocolate snobs. It’s also more universally enjoyed than alcohol, so it makes the day feel inclusive for different tastes in the group.

If you’re the type who likes to bring home gifts, this is your main shopping moment. Get what you’ll actually eat, and skip the impulse buys if you’re already full from tastings.

Touring style: live acoustic music, bus energy, and choosing your pace

This tour is designed to feel social without being chaotic. Live entertainment is included with acoustic guitar, and that can set the tone early. It also helps that the tour is described as laid back, and guides are praised for keeping the day moving while still allowing flexibility.

You may also find that the group playlist experience can happen on the bus, with guests contributing to what’s playing. It’s a small detail, but it adds to that friendly, “we’re in this together” energy.

Still, remember what this tour is: a set-day schedule with multiple included tastings. If you want slow travel, deep technical education, and long chats at every venue, you might feel the pacing is a bit brisk. Some people prefer exactly this kind of focused format, hitting a lot of flavor without spending the entire day in one room.

How to get the most out of a tasting-heavy day

Here’s how I’d plan the day to avoid the most common tasting problems:

• Eat before you leave. Even though there’s a lunch stop later, tastings stack up quickly.
• Pace your drinking. You’re sampling multiple venues, and you’ll enjoy it more if you stay functional.
• Think ahead about souvenirs. With no space for luggage, you’ll want to buy only what you can comfortably carry.
• Bring a small bag for bottles if you buy later items. The tour doesn’t offer luggage storage.
• Keep water in your plan. If you can, bring a bottle.

Also, pay attention to the lunch choice. You’ll order/pay at Quarters or at Domaine Chandon during the meal window. That can be simple, but it’s worth knowing before you arrive.

Value check: does $93.24 make sense for what you get?

For $93.24, the value is strongest if you want a variety day. You’re not paying just for wine. You’re getting:

• Multiple tastings at four venues
• A spirits-focused stop (gin) or a beer-focused stop (or extra wine)
• A dedicated chocolate tasting experience

The included elements are doing the heavy lifting. Transport out to the Yarra Valley plus a driver/guide plus several tasting flights would usually cost more if you pieced it together yourself.

The one real value trade-off is that lunch is extra. If you show up expecting a full meal included in the price, you might feel surprised. If you treat lunch as part of the overall day budget, the pricing feels much more fair.

Should you book Teepee Tours for this laid back Yarra day?

Book it if you want:

• A relaxed tasting day with wine plus cider, gin or beer, and chocolate
• A small-group feel without needing private-tour planning
• An easy start at 74 Spring St and a schedule that keeps moving

Skip it if you:

• Need hotel pickup or you want to end somewhere other than the meeting point
• Want slow travel with lots of time at one place
• Don’t want to pay extra for lunch

If you’re a “taste everything a little” person, this tour makes a lot of sense. It’s a fun way to experience the Yarra Valley beyond a single winery, and the chocolate stop is a very solid closer.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The duration is approximately 8 hours 30 minutes.

Where is the meeting point?

You’ll meet at 74 Spring St, East Melbourne VIC 3002, Australia.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:00 am.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included. You’ll either go to St Huberts Estates restaurant (Quarters) or Domaine Chandon, and you order and pay at your expense.

What tastings are included?

The tour includes beverages and 6-7 tastings at each of 4 venues (with one extra lunch stop that does not include a tasting). It also includes a private chocolate tasting at the chocolaterie.

Do you get gin or beer?

You’ll do either the Four Pillars gin paddle or the Watts River Brewing beer paddle, depending on the option for the day. There is also an option to do wine at Payten & Jones instead of the gin stop.

How long is the chocolate tasting?

The chocolate tasting is private, with 10-12 chocolates over about 25 minutes.

Do you offer hotel pickup?

No hotel pick ups are done unless you can meet on the way the Yarra Valley and it’s not a detour. The default is meeting at the central address.

Is there room for luggage?

No. The tour states there is no space for luggage of any sort.

What happens if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.