Yarra Valley WIne Tours
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions – Yarra Valley Wine Tasting Tours
Answers to commonly asked questions about our Yarra Valley Wine Tasting Tours. If you can’t find an answer to your question please Contact Us.
Bookings and Payment
How do I make a booking?
It’s easy to make an online booking. Simply click on the BOOK NOW button below to get started.
We accept payment by eftpos, Visa, Mastercard, or cash. We do not accept AMEX. Note we do not charge any booking fees or credit card charges.
How do I check if seats are available?
You can check availability for all tours running in the next week on our 7 day calendar or enter your preferred date into the calendar to check future dates. ‘Check availability’ here
If seats are not available, please contact us and we will advise if a second tour bus will operate on that day.
Can I book via email or over the phone?
Yes, you can book by phone or email, however, you won’t receive the $15 per person discount for a direct online booking via our website and you will also pay at the time of booking.
Do I pay when I make a direct online booking?
No. Our policy is “Book Now, Pay Later”. Your booking reserves your seats on the tour, you can pay your driver/guide on the day of the tour. We hold your credit card details as a guarantee for the booking and to cover our 48 hour cancellation policy (applicable to our daily public tours. Note a different cancellation policy applies to private group tour bookings). We believe this gives you and everyone in your booking the flexibility to pay on the day and pay separately if you wish to.
How do I pay on the day and can my guests pay separately?
Your driver/guide has a debit/credit card payment machine on the bus. You can pay by eftpos, Visa, Mastercard, or cash. We do not accept AMEX. Everyone in your booking can pay on the day giving you the flexibility to pay separately if you wish to.
What is your cancellation policy?
- Notice of a cancellation is required in writing via email to our office at least 48 hours prior to the tour date.
- If you need to adjust the number of guests in your booking, at least 48 hours’ notice is required, or the more notice the better is you know in advance. Please advise any changes by email.
- No shows – if you don’t show up on the day or you arrive with less than the number of guests booked, we will charge your credit card.
- For group bookings of five guests or more on one of our regular day tours, seven working days’ notice is required to cancel and must be received in writing by email.
- The cancellation charge is the full tour cost.
For more terms and conditions click here. <LINK>
Transport and Tour Guide
Who will be the guide on the day?
We have a team of professional, knowledgeable and friendly team of driver/guides. You will travel with Christian, Alex, Sasha, Ben, John, Darryl or Rob. We don’t confirm your guide in advance because staff availability is subject to change.
Check out our 950+ TripAdvisor reviews to see what customers say about our tours and guides.
General Tour Information
How many people will be on the tour?
We specialise in small group tours. Our fleet of Mercedes Benz vehicle/mini-buses have capacity for up to 14, 17 or 19 guests on each tour. Depending on demand on the day we will send out the appropriate bus size.
What kind of transport is used?
We have the best fleet of small group touring vehicles of all wine tour operators in Melbourne! We exclusively operate a small fleet of Mercedes Benz mini-coaches, all fitted with seat belts, heating,/air-conditioning and on-board fridge for storing your dairy purchases or chilled wine purchases. All our vehicles (bar 1) are Mercedes Benz mini-buses.
What times do the tours depart and what is the duration of the tours?
The full day tours depart Melbourne around 9:10am and return around 5:00pm to 5:30pm.
If you are joining the tour en route to the wineries in Ringwood, Lilydale or in the Yarra Valley, the tour picks up from 9:30am to 10:00am and returns from 4:15-4:30pm.
The half day afternoon wine tours depart Melbourne CBD at 12:15pm and returns around 6:00pm.
How long is the trip from Melbourne to the Yarra Valley?
The Yarra Valley is approximately 55 kms from Melbourne, just under one hour’s drive from Melbourne CBD.
Does the tour still depart if it’s raining or if bad weather forecast?
Yes. The weather is not crucial to the tour as all wine tastings and meals are conducted indoors. If the rain is pouring, don’t worry, the wines will be pouring too, as you enjoy a day of wine tastings in the Yarra Valley!
What locations do you pick up from?
We pick up from several convenient Melbourne locations including Docklands, Southbank, Melbourne CBD, Ringwood, Lilydale, Coldstream & Yarra Glen. Click here for full pick up details and a map of all our Pick Up Points .
Can I request an additional pick up point that’s not on the list?
Generally we do not allow additional pick up locations, however if you wish to Contact Us to submit a request and if we are able to make an additional stop we will do so, but no guarantees.
Tour Itinerary
Which wineries will we visit?
Check out the relevant tour page for details of the participating wineries and venues we love to visit. Rest assured that whichever tour your choose we will select the best winery/cellar doors in the Yarra Valley to suit.
On the Yarra Valley Wineries tour you will visit four Premium wineries which will be selected from some of our top picks including: Coombe Yarra Valley, Greenstone Estate, Yering Station, St. Hubert Wines, Yering Farm Wines, Helen & Joey’s to name a few..
On the Boutique Wineries and Distillery tour you will visit Fergusson Wines or Steels Gate Wines as well as three other wineries which will be selected from some of our top picks including: St. Hubert Wines, Yering Farm Wines, Helen & Joey Estate, Balgownie Estate, Corniola Wines, Yarrawood Estate, Yileena Park, just to name a few!
We set the itineraries for our regular daily public tours. If you’d like to choose the wineries or visit a specific winery, please consider a private group wine tour to create a customised itinerary. Contact us for a quote.
On the half day afternoon tours, we visit Coombe Melba Estate, Balgownie Estate and Steels Gate Wines. On the rare occasion a particular winery is closed for a private event or cannot accommodate us, we will find an equally suitable alternative winery.
If you want to visit a specific winery, consider a Private Yarra Valley Group Tour
What kind of wines and how many will you get to try?
The Yarra Valley is a cool climate wine growing region, best known for producing Chardonnay, sparkling wine and Pinot noir.
Each of the wineries/cellar doors will offer a selection of around half-a-dozen of their wines to taste. You’ll typically try 50-50 reds and whites and maybe even finishishing with a sparkling or dessert wine.
If there is a wine varietal in their range that’s not included in the winery’s selection on the day, feel free to ask the winery staff if you may taste a different wine, as they will be keen to showcase wines you’re most interested in sampling.
Is lunch included on the tour?
Yes, the full day tours include a delicious one course lunch at either Rochford Wines, Fergussons Winery or Steels Gate Wines. Lunch is included in the tour price. If you want to drink wine with lunch, wine by the glass or bottle, is available for separate purchase at the restaurant at your expense.
Are dietary requirements for lunch catered for?
Yes, the tour group lunch menus at Rochford Wines, Fergusson Winery and Steels Gate Wines include both gluten free & vegetarian options. If your dietary requirements are more specific than this, please make a note when making your booking, so that we can advise the restaurant of your particular requirements the day before.
Compare Tours
Which tour should I choose?
Visit our compare tours page to compare tour options side by side to see which tour is right for your needs and budget. Page coming soon!
Was your question answered?
We hope we have answered your queries. If we have not covered your question, please feel free to Contact Us.
03 9650 0888
International +61 3 9650 0888