Melbourne Travelogue | Winery Tour, a slightly tipsy journey

It was drizzling in Melbourne on the day of departure, and I was a little worried. But as soon as the car turned onto the freeway, the clouds began to break, and by the time we reached Yarra Valley, the sun was shining brightly.

Yarra Valley, about an hour's drive from Melbourne, is one of Australia's oldest wine regions. Strangely, the first grapevines were planted here in 1838, but it lay dormant for a long time until it was rediscovered in the 1960s. Now, there are hundreds of wineries in the valley, from famous ones to those hidden in the hills, open by appointment only. I only had one day, and I didn't want to bite off more than I could chew, so I picked three of the most classic ones and strung them together into a convenient route.

 

First Stop: Yering Station
The first place I went to was Yering Station. The first grapevines in the valley were planted here in 1838, a fact repeatedly mentioned in the winery's brochure with a proud "it all started here" sentiment.

The winery buildings are very charming. The tasting room is located in an old stone house built in 1859, with very thick walls. When you push open the door, it's cool and refreshing, a completely different world from the outside. I was greeted by a young woman who didn't say much but poured the wine with a steady hand. She offered me Chardonnay – Yarra Valley Chardonnay is very famous in Australia, known for its crisp, non-cloying style. It has notes of citrus and green apple on the palate, without excessive oak, making for a very clean taste.

 

As I stood by the window taking my second sip, the sun was shining directly on the slopes of the vineyard opposite, with rows and rows of grapevines glistening green. At that moment, I suddenly felt that in a place like this, there's no need to rush; a glass of wine and an afternoon are all you need to settle in.

 

 

Second Stop: Domaine Chandon
Leaving Yering Station, it was about a ten-minute drive to Domaine Chandon. This place has a significant background; it was opened by French Moët & Chandon in 1987, chosen because the cool climate of Yarra Valley is ideal for sparkling wine.

The overall vibe of this winery is quite different from Yering Station. While Yering Station has the feel of an old Australian estate, Domaine Chandon exudes French sophistication – the lawns are meticulously manicured, the architecture is simple and clean, and there are even roses planted alongside the vineyards. This is said to be a French winemaking tradition, using the health of the roses to determine if the grapes are diseased.

Of course, you have to drink sparkling wine here. I ordered a glass of their most classic, with fine bubbles fizzing up in the glass. It was very refreshing on the palate, with notes of green apple and toasted bread, and a clean, crisp finish. I sat on the terrace for a while, holding my glass, facing the expansive vineyards. The sun felt warm on my skin, and an elderly couple at a nearby table were celebrating something, their laughter carrying over, filling the air with joy.

 

Third Stop: De Bortoli
The last stop was De Bortoli, in the Dixons Creek area. The story of this winery is quite interesting – in 1971, a winemaker named Graeme Miller built a winery here. In 1978, a Cabernet Sauvignon he made won the Jimmy Watson Trophy, Australia's highest wine honor, a first in Yarra Valley history. Later, the De Bortoli family bought the property, and in 1997, they won the trophy again with a Shiraz. One place, two trophies, clearly demonstrates the excellent terroir here.

The tasting room was more casual than the previous two. The staff would pair some cheeses with the wine, allowing its flavors to unfold layer by layer. I tried the award-winning Shiraz; it was full-bodied with fine tannins, and the aromas of blackberry and pepper melted in my mouth, with a long finish.

 

After finishing this glass, I knew it was time to wrap things up. I picked two bottles from the cellar to take home, one Shiraz and one Chardonnay – essentially packing up the day's flavors.

Reflecting on the day, three wineries, three glasses of wine, the pace was just right. There was no rushing around from one place to another; each stop was thoroughly enjoyed, and there was plenty of time to sit. This is probably the best state for a winery tour – it's not about how much you drink, but about savoring every sip.

After three stops, my favorite moment was still that first sip of Chardonnay in the sunlight – simple, clean, and unhurried. That's probably the magic of Yarra Valley.

 

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