Explore a Wine Estate in Yarra Valley

Yarra Valley, AustraliaNov 10, 2023Mercure Yarra Valley

Just an hour from Melbourne, the Yarra Valley unfolds like a green velvet quilt draped over gentle hills. This is Australia's oldest wine region, where cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay have earned a place among the world's finest. Your visit goes far beyond the tasting room.

Walking the Vines

The morning begins with a vineyard walk alongside winemaker Sophie Chen, whose family planted these vines four decades ago. She explains how the valley's unique microclimate — morning fog, afternoon sun, cool nights — creates grapes of extraordinary concentration. You taste a Chardonnay berry straight from the vine, its acidity sharp and promising.

The Cellar Door Experience

Inside a stone cellar that smells of French oak and earth, Sophie guides you through a vertical tasting: five vintages of estate Pinot Noir spanning a decade. You discover how each year tells a different story — drought, rain, early frost — and how the winemaker's hand shapes nature into art. The 2019 vintage, with its silky tannins and wild cherry notes, is the unanimous favourite.

Farm-to-Table Lunch

Lunch is served in a glass pavilion overlooking the valley. The chef works exclusively with ingredients sourced within thirty kilometres: duck from a nearby farm, vegetables from the kitchen garden, cheese from a neighbouring dairy. Each dish is designed to complement the wines, creating pairings that feel both effortless and revelatory.

What's included