Yarra ValleyThe Yarra Valley is just over an hour northeast of the Melbourne CBD. It is a very beautiful area with it's flowing hills and valleys and is a popular weekend day drip from Melbourne. The Yarra Valley is Victoria's oldest wine region, with the first vines being planted in 1838.
Today, the Yarra Valley is recognised as one of Australia's chief cool climate producing regions and being a cool climate region, is famous for it's Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. However, with over eighty cellar doors in the region, there are a significant number of styles and varietals to try. Many of the region's wineries have cellar doors offering wine sales and picnic facilities, with some of them also featuring restaurants, cafes and boutique accommodation. The region is also home to a number of great restaurants, including the fabulous Ezard at Levantine Hill, breweries, distilleries and cheese factories, including the Yarra Valley Dairy, that is famous throughout the region for it's Persian Fetta. Rochford Wines is also home to the Day on the Green concert series in Summer. The region has a good wine map that we picked up at our first cellar door visit but is also available here on the regions website. In addition to vineyards, the Yarra Valley has a number of other attractions and activities including bush walking trails, fruit farms, markets, galleries and the famous Healesville Sanctuary. There is therefore plenty to do in this region, be it for a day trip or a more extended visit.
|