Yarra Valley recommendations

[boomy]

Planing to take my +1 for day trip early March.
Been a while since my last visit so was hoping for some insight about recommended cellar doors and nice restaurant for lunch.

My plan is to book 3 premium tastings plus lunch.
One cellar door I’m keen to visit is Yarra Yering since I’m big fan of their wines. Apart from that I’m open to suggestions. Thanks in advance

 

[blackcat20]

We love Meletos for lunch, but its not a winery per se. The food is fab though, and its part of Stones.

 

[CLT Aussie]

Agree that Meletos is good for lunch - food is good and has a fun, busy vibe. Another option for lunch is Oakridge (good for tastings too), although I haven't been since their chefs left during 2020.

Seville Estate is also good for lunch and again can be paired with a tasting.

 

[mouseman99]

Always pop round to Soumah when up that way. Doing some really good whites. Their Equilibrio range is worth trying albeit a bit pricey. Worth a visit to their cellar door imo.

 

[AisleSeat]

Always pop round to Soumah when up that way. Doing some really good whites. Their Equilibrio range is worth trying albeit a bit pricey. Worth a visit to their cellar door imo.

Came to say Soumah as well. I really enjoy going there. Great views too.

 

[mouseman99]

Came to say Soumah as well. I really enjoy going there. Great views too.

Talking of views, Boat O'Craigo aint bad either. Wines are good too.

 

[Guvner]

I wouldn't go out of my way to eat at Boat O'Craigo. Its basically a cellar door finger food menu.
+1 for Soumah and Meletos.

 

[mouseman99]

I wouldn't go out of my way to eat at Boat O'Craigo. Its basically a cellar door finger food menu.
+1 for Soumah and Meletos.

yup should have clarified that. Wine tasting only.

 

[boomy]

Thanks everyone.

following the advice here I’ve tried to book Meletos but they seem to be fully booked on the day. Oakridge and Seville estate menus don’t suit my +1 dietary requirements. Also Eleonore’s, which was a favourite of mine when living in MEL, is closed

Any thoughts about Coombe or Tokar dining experience?

 

[CLT Aussie]

I have eaten at Coombe and it was nice, but not really a 'wine-y' destination.

If you are feeling rich, you could try Ezard at Levantine Hill for lunch. They also do some fairly incredible tastings. I haven't been there, but have heard good things. Just watch out for helicopters...

 

[Madagascar94]

Giant Steps cellar door was my favourite last year!

+1 Soumah for a nice rustic lunch.

 

[martindagun]

Looking at booking a lunch for next weekend and considering three options:
Soumah
Tarrawarra Estate
Oakridge Estate

Have put Soumah in the list based on the above recommendations. Has anyone to been to all three and rates one more than the others?

 

[boomy]

Looking at booking a lunch for next weekend and considering three options:
Soumah
Tarrawarra Estate
Oakridge Estate

Have put Soumah in the list based on the above recommendations. Has anyone to been to all three and rates one more than the others?

Can’t answer your question but you might want to consider adding Levantine Hill to your list. We had lunch there few weeks ago and it was very good.

 

[CLT Aussie]

Agree with @boomy that Levantine Hill is very good. I haven't been to Soumah, but Oakridge wine and food (and price) is a step above Tarrawarra. That being said, I prefer the feel of Tarrawarra, which is a bit more intimate

 

[SYD]

I was there last week for a couple of days. Unfortunately mid-week was a bit of a disaster with several things closed (especially in the evenings…). The upside, we didn’t need to book tastings - just rocked up.

I believe Meletos is closed for the time being which is probably why you couldn’t book. We did eat lunch at Rochford (after a tasting) - which was very good but I know there are better dining options.

Balgownie has a new hotel, restaurant and cellar door. We actually preferred their Bendigo wines over the YV…

Oakridge cellar door has spectacular view north and a nice Cabernet.

Punt Road was doing a nice tasting (with nibbles). We also went to Yering Station.