Discover Victoria’s Best Wines — Without the Hassle of Driving

Just an hour from Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is home to over 80 cellar doors producing some of Australia’s finest cool-climate wines. From elegant Pinot Noir to world-class Chardonnay and traditional method sparkling, this is wine country at its best.

Red Carpet Wine Tours takes you straight to the source — visiting handpicked wineries, tasting directly from the cellar door, and learning what makes Yarra Valley wines so special. No designated driver needed. No crowded bus tours. Just great wine, stunning views, and a relaxed day out.

What to Expect on a Wine Tasting Tour

A wine tasting tour isn’t just about drinking — it’s about discovery. Here’s what a typical day looks like:

Meet the Winemakers At most cellar doors, you’ll be guided through a tasting by someone who knows the wines inside out. They’ll talk you through the varietals, the vintage, and what makes each wine unique. Ask questions — they love it.

Taste 20+ Wines Across 4-5 winery stops, you’ll sample a wide range of styles — from crisp whites and aromatic rosés to full-bodied reds and elegant sparkling wines. Most cellar doors pour 4-6 wines per tasting.

Learn Without the Pressure You don’t need to be a wine expert. Our tours are designed for everyone — from first-timers to seasoned collectors. There’s no snobbery here, just good wine and good company.

Enjoy Lunch With a View Most tours include a lunch stop at a winery restaurant, where you can pair local wines with seasonal dishes. Whether it’s a long lunch at Domaine Chandon or a relaxed meal at Hubert Estate, eating in wine country is part of the experience.

Buy Your Favourites Found a wine you love? Most cellar doors offer bottles to take home, often at cellar door-only prices. We have chilled coolers on board to keep your purchases safe.

Our Wine Tasting Tours

Daily Yarra Valley Wine Tasting Tour — $109

Our most popular option. Perfect for solo travellers, couples, or small groups who want a ready-made day out.

What’s included:

• Pickup from Federation Square at 9am, return around 5pm
• Tastings at 5 cellar doors including Soumah, Hubert Estate, and Balgownie Estate
• Chocolate tasting at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie
• Lunch stop (pay as you go) with stunning vineyard views
• Small group format — relaxed, never rushed
• Chilled coolers on board for your purchases

$109 per person. All tastings included.

Private Wine Tasting Tours

Want to choose your own wineries? Celebrating a birthday, hens day, or special occasion? Our private tours put you in control.

You choose:

• Which wineries to visit (up to 5 stops)
• Pickup location (we come to you)
• Start time and pace
• The playlist

We provide:

• A stress-free, fully hosted experience
• Luxury Mercedes vehicles for groups up to 14
• Larger buses and coaches for bigger groups
• Expert local knowledge and recommendations

Popular private tour ideas:
• Birthday celebrations with sparkling wine and lunch in the vines
• Hens day tours with cheese boards, photo stops and bubbles
• Team building events with wine games and exclusive access
• Romantic getaways with private tastings and scenic drives

Wines You’ll Taste in the Yarra Valley

The Yarra Valley is famous for cool-climate wines that rival the best in the world. Here’s what you’ll find at the cellar doors:

• Pinot Noir The Yarra Valley’s signature red. Elegant, earthy, and beautifully balanced — this is Australian Pinot at its finest.
• Chardonnay From crisp and mineral to rich and creamy, Yarra Valley Chardonnay is world-class. Many wineries offer single-vineyard and reserve styles.
• Sparkling Wine Home to Domaine Chandon, the Yarra Valley produces traditional method sparkling wines that compete with Champagne. Perfect for celebrations — or a Tuesday.
• Cabernet Sauvignon Fuller-bodied and structured, Yarra Valley Cabernet offers dark fruit, fine tannins, and excellent ageing potential.
• Other Varietals You’ll also find Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Nebbiolo, and more — especially at boutique producers experimenting with Italian and French styles.

Wineries We Visit

Our daily tour visits a curated selection of the valley’s best cellar doors:

• Soumah of Yarra Valley Boutique winery specialising in Italian varietals. Stunning views, relaxed trattoria vibes, and wines you won’t find anywhere else.
• Hubert Estate (St Huberts Cellar Door) A historic property with a modern cellar door, indigenous art gallery, and the excellent Quarters Restaurant for lunch.
• Balgownie Estate Our final stop of the day — expansive views, excellent wines, and a relaxed way to end the afternoon.
• Domaine Chandon Australia’s most famous sparkling wine house. Available as a lunch option on our daily tour or a feature stop on private tours.
• Yarra Valley Chocolaterie Not a winery, but a crowd favourite. Guided chocolate tastings, gelato, and plenty of treats to take home.

For private tours, we can also visit other wineries of your choice such as : Oakridge, Yering Station, Rochford, Levantine Hill, De Bortoli, Zonzo Estate, and many more.

Who Are Our Wine Tasting Tours For?

• Solo Travellers Visiting Melbourne on your own? Our daily tour is perfect — meet other wine lovers, share a table at lunch, and enjoy a social day out without needing to organise a thing.
• Couples A wine tasting tour makes for a memorable date day. Great wine, beautiful scenery, and no arguments about who’s driving home.
• Groups of Friends Whether it’s a casual catch-up or a birthday celebration, wine tasting with friends is always a good idea. Our private tours cater for groups of any size.
• Corporate Groups Team building, client entertainment, or end-of-year celebrations — we’ve hosted them all. Professional, relaxed, and always a hit.
• Visitors to Melbourne If you’ve got a day free and want to see something beyond the city, this is the day trip locals recommend.

Beyond Wine: Food, Chocolate & More

Wine tasting tours aren’t just about wine. The Yarra Valley is a foodie destination in its own right.

• Winery Restaurants Many cellar doors have excellent on-site restaurants. Oakridge, Yering Station, and Levantine Hill are known for fine dining. Zonzo Estate does incredible Italian. Chandon offers French-inspired elegance.
• Yarra Valley Chocolaterie A guided tasting of 10+ chocolates, plus gelato, hot chocolate, and a shop full of treats. Included on our daily tour.
• Cheese & Produce The region is home to artisan cheesemakers, farmers markets, and farm gates. Private tours can include stops at producers like Yarra Valley Dairy.
• Gin & Spirits Prefer gin to wine? Several distilleries in the region offer tastings — we can include these on private tours

Practical Info

• Where do tours depart from? Our daily tour departs from Federation Square (outside the Ian Potter Centre) at 9am sharp. Private tours pick up from your door.
• How long is the tour? The daily tour returns to Melbourne around 5pm. Private tours are flexible — most run 9am to 5pm but we can adjust.
• Do I need to know about wine? Not at all. Our tours are designed for all levels. Just bring curiosity.
• What should I wear? Smart casual is fine. Wear comfortable shoes — you’ll be walking around cellar doors and vineyards.
• Can I bring wine home? Absolutely. We have chilled coolers on board for your purchases.
• Is lunch included? Lunch is pay-as-you-go at the venue. You can also BYO snacks if you prefer.

Wine Tasting Tour FAQs

What’s included in the $109 daily tour? Return transport from Federation Square, tastings at 5 venues (wineries + chocolaterie), and chilled coolers on board. Lunch is pay-as-you-go.

How many wines will I taste? Across 4-5 cellar doors, you’ll sample 20+ wines throughout the day.

Do I need to book in advance? Yes — tours fill up, especially on weekends. Book online to secure your spot.

Can I join if I don’t drink alcohol? Absolutely. Many stops offer non-alcoholic options, and the scenery, food, and chocolate are worth the trip alone.

What if it rains? Tours run rain or shine. Tastings are indoors at cellar doors, so weather rarely affects the experience.

Is the tour accessible? Most wineries we visit are wheelchair accessible. Contact us in advance and we’ll confirm the itinerary works for your needs.

What’s the difference between daily and private tours? The daily tour is a set itinerary at a fixed price — great for solo travellers and small groups. Private tours are fully customised — you choose the wineries, pickup location, and pace.

Can I book a private tour for just 2 people? Yes! We run private tours for couples through to groups of 57.