WARRAMATE Wines, planted on the slopes of the Warramate ranges at Gruyere, is one of the Yarra Valley’s oldest and most respected wineries.
Founded by Jack and June Church in the late 1960s, it is one of a handful of wineries responsible for the renaissance of the Yarra Valley as a wine growing region in the 1970s.
Over the past 35 years the church family have become renowned as producers of small quantities of elegant and refined shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and riesling from dry grown, handpruned and handharvested vines.
Warramate Wines cellar door is open from 10am to 6pm seven days a week.
Yileena Park
THE unique sandstone cellar door at Yileena Park has been recessed back into a steep hill to ensure cool cellaring of its premium wines.
Climb the superbly timber panelled stair case to the warmly inviting tasting room which is swathed in Tasmanian Myrtle and features an open fire place, ornate Victorian mantle, tastefully painted cornice and a beautifully detailed granite topped bar.
French doors open onto an expensive deck affording spectacular views of the vineyard and the valley beyond.
Enter and enjoy the ambience of a bygone era when quality, integrity and understated elegance were not fashion statements but hallmarks of a true boutique experience.
This superb building is available for intimate events and open for tastings Thursday to Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Phone 9730 1977.
Tokar Estate
THE Aria is the latest wine release from Tokar Estate. It is a unique blend of Reserve Tempranillo, cabernet sauvignon and shiraz, and although it has been in bottle for a short time, it has already won international acclaim, with a Silver Medal at the New Zealand Wine Show.
Tokar Estate is proud to be the first in the Yarra Valley to grow tempranillo, Spain’s most popular grape.
Tokar Estate Cellar door is open daily for tastings and the restaurant featuring Mediterranean cuisine is open for lunch Monday to Sunday. Phone 5964 9585.
Bianchet Winery
BIANCHET Winery, one of the oldest vineyard/ wineries in the Yarra Valley, is under new management.
The popular Bianchet cafe remains under the helm of Robert Leybourne with new exciting dishes and a revamped wine list featuring wines from small producers of the Yarra Valley and some interesting labels from beyond.
The cafe will open from Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and Friday and Saturday nights for dinner.
The cellar door will also open Wednesday to Sunday. For bookings phone 9739 1779.
St Huberts
THE St Huberts Cellar Door offers a quality wine tasting experience seven days a week, and picnickers are always welcome to enjoy the picturesque setting.
Visitors are invited to sample the wineries fantastic new releases, in particular the zesty 2005 Sauvignon Blanc and the exciting 2004 Pinot Noir.
Ask about the special discount dozen packs for Christmas that include free local delivery.
The winery also has a great price on its wine of the month, the elegant 2001 Sparkling a must for the festival season.
Once again the winery will host a range of great performers as part of the annual Summer/Autumn Music in the Vineyard concert program.
For more details phon 9739 1118.
Gateway Estate
SITUATED on the Maroondah Highway in Coldstream, Gateway Estate is a point of difference in the Yarra Valley.
Owned and operated by the Spurling family, the business incorporates a cellar door, a farmers market and a hydroponics greenhouse.
The retail outlet showcases an impressive range of produce grown and made on the Spurling’s 120 acre property. The shop supplies locals and visitors alike with estate grown wines, fresh produce including tomatoes, lettuce and strawberries, and homemade preserves.
The Spurling’s hand craft three elegant, full flavour wines; a chardonnay, a pinot noir and a sauvignon blanc, which are available for tasting.
Gateway Estate is open for tasting and sales 8am to 5pm weekdays and 10am to 5pm on weekends.
