Taste Trail: Where to eat, drink and stay in the Yarra Valley

Home to big-name wineries like Rochford, Oakridge and Levantine Hill Estate, the Yarra Valley’s roads unfurl along a diverse landscape of paddocks and vines, morphing from volcanic red soils to temperate rainforest. It’s an oversight to day-trip here solely for a winery lunch or Attica Summer Camp when there are smaller gems to explore.

A most magical base is Kangaroo Ridge Retreat. The two self-contained cabins are 10 kilometres outside Healesville centre with jaw-dropping valley views from the picturesque balcony and oversized spa bath. It’s bohemian-chic with velvet cushions, cowhide beside the free-standing fireplace and local art on the walls. Order a Yarra Valley pasta or barbecue pack to cook in, pimp the complimentary breakfast hamper or assemble a cheese platter to accompany a bottle from the wine fridge.

You’ll need a weekend for the booming Lilydale Road Precinct alone. Four Pillars distillery kicked things off in 2015 and has recently commenced a year-long, $6 million expansion, but the latest addition is Jayden Ong Winery and Cellar Bar, directly opposite Watt’s River Brewery. First-generation winemaker Jayden Ong has four minimal-intervention wine labels. There are barrels up the back and a wine bar up the front of his new venue, which serves five snacks cooked on Japanese hibachi grills for $35. Ong, who co-founded Cumulus Inc. and Cumulus Up alongside Andrew McConnell, might have duck meatballs with local plum or a charred leek pulled from his garden on the menu, season depending.

One street parallel is No.7, diagonally across from Four Pillars. Brought to you by the family behind Stones of the Yarra Valley and Meletos, it’s an urban winery dedicated to helping young winemakers get a start, with a restaurant menu centred on Mexican flavours and Japanese ingredients. Stunning arched windows, stone troughs and an antique olive oil press have been shipped over from Tuscany.

Next door, Payten & Jones feels like it should be in a Brunswick alley. High school mates Behn Payten and Troy Jones make raw, natural-leaning wines on-site and serve them alongside local beers and Spanish sherry and cava. There’s street art on roller doors, Melbourne artists on their wine labels and “Banjo the oyster man” shucking Friday to Sunday. A whisky bar is expected in winter.

EAT

Former Merricote chef Matt Binney runs Heartswood in Yarra Glen’s old Colonial Bank building. The dinner menu constantly explores different cuisines, while brunch highlights local produce.
heartswood.com.au

DRINK

Orchard Bar is a designer shipping container bar specialising in ciders and seasonal cocktails, set among Napoleone Cider’s apple trees. Sit outdoors or borrow a picnic blanket.
napoleone.com.au

DO

Near Yarra Junction is the Yarra Valley Archery Park; indoor target archery suitable for friends, families and team building. An hour costs $25 per adult and $20 for under 18s.
yvap.com.au

DON’T MISS

Visit Yarra Valley Artisan Bakery in Wesburn early, before Ben Griffiths sells out of naturally fermented sourdough. Don’t leave without a couple of the best caneles we’ve tasted.
yarravalleyartisanbaker.com