A day out in the Yarra Valley

"Sprawling vineyards for miles around, rolling green hills, and heaps of fruit trees are the stunning views that make up Yarra Valley." Nomads

It was a beautiful day so we decided to take our Scottish visitors to the beautiful Yarra Valley. I have to say that every time we go there I feel blessed to have such a beautiful place right on our doorstep. For we live right on the edge of it. Indeed the nearest vineyard is a mere ten minutes or so away. For vineyards are the Yarra Valley's main claim to fame. Well that's why most people go there but there is so much more to the place than vineyards.

I mean look at that picture. Yes it looks like that. It is one of the fabulous views from the famous Domaine Chandon. Domaine Chandon is the top end in terms of size and amenities, etc. It is owned by Moët et Chandon who have obviously spent millions on the place. And of course their main product is sparkling wine, though these days they make other wines as well. The buildings and the views are spectacular and the self-guided tour is interesting. We had planned to have lunch in their bistro, but alas, they are in the throes of spending yet more money on improvements to the tasting and food area. But as the man said - the view is still the same. So we did the tour, admired the view, took the obligatory photographs and moved on.

The photograph above is taken a little later than our visit I think because the beautiful roses at the end of each row of vines are in bloom. Yes the whole place is aimed at the tourists - the signage is in Chinese as well as English, but what's wrong with that when they do such a good job? And you don't have to buy the wine - which is expensive. You can go there for nothing but the price of the petrol.

Actually prior to turning up at Domaine Chandon we had visited St. Hubert's which is almost at the other end of the spectrum - not quite a shed, but very humble in comparison. And yet, it is the oldest Yarra Valley vineyard I think and produces lovely prizewinning wine. A James Halliday 5 star vineyard in fact. And our Scottish lady friend was very taken with the late picked Viognier.

We had deliberately chosen St. Hubert's, not just for it's convenient location, just down the road from Domaine Chandon, but also because it was so different and because of its history.

I gather that grapes were first grown in the Yarra Valley back in the 1830s, making it one of the first wine growing areas in Australia. But in the 1890s phylloxera destroyed virtually all of it. It revived a bit but again suffered a reversal during the depression and the lack of interest in wine until eventually there were virtually no vineyards in operation. Then in the 1970s (about when we arrived in Australia) a few pioneers began to replant vines and were so successful that today there are over 100 wineries in the valley. We did just three today! The valley is apparently most famous for its chardonnay and pinot noir (both grapes that feature in Chandon's bubbly), but there are also many other varieties available. Today we tasted Roussanne, Cabernet Merlot, Viognier and Cabernet Sauvignon besides the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but we could also have tried Riesling and a Roussanne/Marsanne blend or a Trebbiano, And it's so close to Melbourne - just under an hour really.

But I should mention that there is also chocolate, fruit, cheese, and a myriad of other foodie products, not to mention Dame Nellie Melba's old home, Yarra Glen's imposing Grand Hotel and picnic races, and the Healesville Sanctuary and the art gallery at Tarrawirra winery.

It's a must see destination for anyone visiting Melbourne.

But back to our day out. Having discovered that Chandon's restaurant was not open - well it was, but in a less wonderful setting - we decided to revisit Tramonto which turned out to be a good choice. It was even better than I remembered it before really. But then it was a beautiful day. Same food - very satisfying.

Oh and for the really adventurous you can do a dawn ballon flight over the valley too.