- samantha.TheWinePig
What are the best wineries to visit in the Yarra Valley?
Just north-east of Melbourne, Yarra Valley is one of Australia’s most well-known cold-climate wine regions. Famous for it’s Chardonnay, sparkling wine and Pinot Noir, its proximity means many high profile wineries have made it an important destination for Aussie wine lovers.
So The Wine Pig (and a couple of willing fellow wine lovers) scheduled in a day visit to some of the many cellar doors the Yarra Valley wine region to find out more about what the area has to offer.
Here were our highlights.
TARRAWARA ESTATE
TarraWarra Estate is at the heart of the Yarra Valley, just an hour from Melbourne. The modern and architect-designed cellar door overlooks the heritage block of Pinot Noir vines and over the valley. Do a tasting then make sure you grab a glass of your favorite and sit out on the big bean bags on the lawn and enjoy the view. Picturesque and beautiful!
The Wine Pig highlights
2015 Pinot Noir Rose: A very light and elegant Pinot Noir Rose with punches of fresh strawberry mixed in with some fresh acidity and a tight handle on any sweetness which is sometimes overwhelming. A perfect warm weather wine to tickle your palate.
2013 Reserve Chardonnay: Obviously, being in the Yarra Valley, you don’t have to go far before bumping into a delicious Chardonnay. Creamy, buttery and fantastically smooth, this Chardonnay mixes its hints of oak with beautiful stone fruit aromas.
PUNT ROAD
This Yarra Valley winery was named after the famous Melbourne inner city thoroughfare that joins the northern suburbs to the south. Today, the cute and homely cellar door sits in a charming garden setting with the opportunity to buy a bottle and sit back and cook a BBQ on the grounds. Like a big warm hug, you could easily go back time and time again and never get tired of visiting and tasting.
The Wine Pig highlights
2011 sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay: It’s so appropriate to come across an excellent sparkling wine in such a beautiful setting. Punt Road’s Pinot Noir Chardonnay sparkling is wonderfully elegant with delicate tiny beads which give a fresh zesty finish. A perfect celebration wine.
2014 Chemin Chardonnay: This is up there as one of our favorite Chardonnays from the region. A perfect example of a cold climate version of a beautiful wine. The Wine Pig just can’t get enough of the buttery, creamy texture which is perfectly balanced with some light acidity and a hint of zing.
ZONZO ESTATE
The winery is in the middle of its rebranding from Train Trak to Zonzo Estate, and while the new crops are yet to come to fruition, The Wine Pig was lucky enough to pop along in time to sample the best of the rest. The cellar door is currently in a large barn, sitting opposite the very popular Zonzo Estate restaurant and looking out over the valley hills. A fantastic spot to grab some great wine and refuel with some lunch before continuing on your wine journey!
The Wine Pig highlights
Train Trak 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon: A standout from the soon-to-be halted Train Trak range. The medium-bodied wine is very deep crimson in colour and is packed full to the brim with deep juicy berry flavours which are balanced on an elegant and silky finish with fine grained tannins. It is exceptional and we’re excited to see, and taste, how Zonzo Estate’s new offerings compare.