These small wineries, which are family-owned and operated, provide a unique experience compared to larger wineries. It is expected to be greeted at the door with a smile by the winemaker or vigneron who has created the wine you are about to enjoy.
Visitors to smaller wineries can gain a personal insight into the vintage, including its challenges, nuances, and accomplishments.
So get in the car with a pioneering spirit and set off on a Yarra Valley winery tour to explore some of the quietest but most rewarding wineries in the Yarra Valley - you're in for a pleasant surprise.
Creation history
Yering Farm Wines was established in 1989 by planting the first vine. The Deschamps family settled the first vineyard on the site, known as 'Yeringa Vineyards', in the 1800s. They were a prominent French/Swiss family of winemakers who succeeded in the Yarra Valley.
Alan Johns sought to blend the land's rich history with modern perspectives to revitalize the Yarra Valley's presence in the wine industry.
He propagated cuttings from Cabernet vines sourced from the property's ancestor, Joseph Deschamps. Alan carefully grew the cuttings in a nursery using his experience in orcharding before methodically planning and planting out the vineyard with a variety of grapes, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Yering Farm expanded its operations from a small apple orchard to a 30-acre vineyard, producing wines from neighbouring vineyards in the Valley.
The wines at this small estate draw inspiration from Burgundy, featuring Chardonnay and Pinot as the main varieties. The range includes wines with quirky labels such as Run Rabbit Run Chardonnay, Duck Down Under Pinot, and The Foxtrot Cabernet.
This hidden gem is in the Valley center
Visitors at Yering Farm Estate can enjoy the natural surroundings, with ducks in the dam and rabbits and foxes in the vineyard. Guests can have a personal wine-tasting experience with the owners in the rustic tasting room, a converted hay shed. The boutique wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon, are all grown and made on-site. The charming atmosphere and unique wine labels make for a memorable experience. Visitors can also try the Pink Lady apple cider and picnic under the old cypress trees. Guests can relax and savour the views by the fire or on the verandah while enjoying a pruner's platter.