Of Vineyards and Wineries

Of Vineyards and Wineries

            They make good wines in Australia.  That is a statement. And such statement is uncontested.  No one  will dare challenge that. It is a declaration of fact.  High quality wines, whether sparkling or cool climate still wines, are produced in many regions in The Land Down Under.  

             One such region is the Yarra Valley.  Yarra Valley is about an hour drive from Melbourne.  There are about 70 wineries in this region which boasts of cool climate and diverse soils.  Spending a day hopping from one winery to another is surely rewarding as it is an educational and unique experience.

              On a guided tour or in the company of friends, one can visit the cellar doors of prestigious wineries such as Yering Station and Domaine Chandon.  Free tasting is offered to visitors.  And, as there are also fine restaurants within the wineries serving locally produced food items, one may opt to dine to his heart's content while gazing at the picturesque rolling hills and vineyards. Then he may purchase, as take home items, whatever products to his liking that are being sold in the farm markets.

               And before heading back to the City, spending an hour at nearby Healesville is a very good option. Healesville is a historic town that is worth visiting. It has an animal sanctuary. There are a lot of cafes, restaurants and antique shops. A western -style coach is parked near the Wattleseed Restaurant and for a reasonable fee, it takes passengers to the principal streets of the town. As the coach moves slowly, food is served.

               As implied above, there are other regions other than Yarra Valley where vineyards thrive.  In the Nagambie Lakes Region, which is northwest of Melbourne, Tahbilk is a favorite tourist destination.  The place itself gives that rustic charm, that 'old world' feeling.  Vintage machineries that have seen better days are on display. Tahbilk is the oldest family-owned winery in the State of Victoria, having been established in 1860. Now, if you want more, Australia still has a lot to offer. But first things first.  Book a wineries tour and find out for yourself. You surely won't regret it.

- Konted

"He who loves not wine, women and song remains a fool his whole life long"

The Highway at Yarra Valley

Domaine Chandon's driveway

Way to the Visitor Centre

Domaine Chandon is owned and operated by Moet & Chandon of France

Panoramic view of the vineyards, rolling hills and The Great Dividing Range

Closer shot of paradise

Green Point Brasseire with a magnificent view of the valley and the mountains

Star-shaped garden at the Winery

Spring flowers enhance the beauty of the place

Beautiful roses

White roses are seen all around the estate

Winery's Resto provides a spectacular view 

Time to dine

Lawn used for special occasions

A place for special events

Visitors strolling around the garden

The curved driveway

Photo of this hallway exudes serenity

Entrance to the resto

The learning experience begins

Profile of Domain Chandon

Inner section of the basement

More notes for the wine enthusiasts

About White Wines

Significance of each season

Barrels and barrels of wines

More wine containers for aging

More trivia

Truly educational

The famous Moet & Chandon champagne

Part of the estate

Fine display of Chandon products

Comparing bottles and prices

More Domaine Chandon bottled products

Wide space to move around

High quality glasswares

Our winery tour guides Rene R.and Dev

Coaster waits for touring group

The serene surroundings make you want to stay there forever

At the national road at Yarra Valley

A sheep farm at Yarra Valley

Yering Station is Australia's first vineyard plantation established in 1838

Yering Station's historic cellar door

Wide lawn is part of Yering Station's complex

Beautiful color combination

Good to spend family day at Yering Station

Nice view of Yarra Valley from the resto

A good place to relax

Wine by the glass or in bottles

Porch near the resto

Beautifully designed structure within the complex

Yering Station's hallway

Yering Station products

More bottles on display

Assorted items 

Bottled products from nearby farms in Yarra Valley

Australian hats for sale

Melbourne's Robert Macaraeg waits for his order

Part of a tour group

Having a hard time choosing

Farm market at Yering Station

Strawberries of Yarra Valley

More wines being offered at the bazaar

Businessmen make good profit at the farm market

Ready for consumption

The historic Chateau Yering built in 1854

The driveway to Chateau Yering

Entrance to the Chateau

Old English style of dining

Poolside of Chateau

A game of tennis for the sports buff

Garden that connects hotel to the cellar door bldg

The Slow Coach where one can dine while slowly moving around Healesville

Grand Hotel at the town center of Healesville

Old Healesville Hotel built in 1910

Church located at the main road

A coffee shop at the very heart of the town

Sidewalk cafe at Healesville town

One of many antique shops

Two kids taking it easy

The Yarra Valley Dairy Farm outlet

Dairy Farm equipment on display

Placing and receiving orders counter

Regional farm produce

Wines are also sold at the farm

A small air-conditioned coffee shop at the dairy farm

Healthy cows

Vineyards of De Bortoli winery at Yarra Valley

There are beautiful flowers everywhere

De Bortoli's cheese room

De Bortoli wines at  the cellar door

Free tasting of wines

A special room at De Bortoli

More vineyards at De Bortoli

Time out

Farm tractor

More vineyards at Yarra Valley

Road to Nagambie Lakes Region

Entrance to Tahbilk Estate

Follow the road signage

Road to Tahbilk Winery

Tahbilk is the oldest family- owned winery in Victoria

Tahbilk was established in 1860

This old structure seems to appear in most of Tahbilk's advertisements

Boeing's Armin S with son Jermin. Armin is a collector of good bottled wines.

The ancient cellar door of  Tahbilk

Preserving the best traditions in producing wine

Tahbilk has a variety of wines

Bottles within reach of the touring visitors

Other wines carrying the Tahbilk brand

Price list

A replica of an old winery machine

A dimly lit portion of  the winery

Vintage farm equipment

These old machines tell a lot about Tahbilk's glorious past.

Company-owned classic gas station

Really old

Barrels being loaded

Tahbilk's Wetlands Resto

Savoring the resto's  much- acclaimed good food

Sold by the bottles or in boxes

Souvenir photo

Ranch near Tahbilk

Where they breed fine horses

Mitchelton Winery

The tower at Mitchelton partly covered by a huge tree

To the cellar door of Mitchelton

Everybody is most welcomed

The Art Gallery

Lucky 13 promo

Mitchelton's vineyards.  Riesling refers to the white grape variety from which white wine is made.

Road leading to vineyards lined  with lemon trees

Closer shot of a lemon tree

A flock of Australian cockatoos can be seen in the vineyard