Yarra Valley spotlight: three wineries with top-tier cellar doors, wines and winemaking practices

The Yarra Valley is one of Australia’s best-known wine regions, from which some of the country’s finest pinot noirs and chardonnays hail. But what makes this region a winemaker’s paradise? What cellar doors have top-quality tasting experiences and dining options? And where does one even begin to look when hunting down great bottles of wine to try from the Yarra Valley?

To help you navigate this illustrious area, we spoke to the owners and winemakers at Helen and Joey Estate, Medhurst Wines and Yering Station – all of whom have a lot to say about making wine in the Yarra Valley. 

Read on to discover why they think the Yarra Valley is so spectacular, and also get their insider’s guide to other brilliant spots to stop by when visiting. 

Helen and Joey Estate

Owner Helen Xu says: Helen and Joey Estate was established in 2010 and sits in the heart of the Yarra Valley. Guided by innovation, tradition, and a deep respect for nature, we’ve created a unique destination that brings together premium winemaking, hospitality, and regenerative practices. 

The wines we produce also fall into four distinct ranges. First, there’s the Unicorn range, consisting of approachable, expressive wines with freshness and drinkability at their core. The Wayward Child collection is a natural, low-intervention series that captures the wild soul of the vineyard. We then have the Re’em class, which includes refined, cellar-worthy wines that showcase the best of our terroir through classic Yarra Valley varietals. And lastly, the Alicorn range is our flagship tier, made only in exceptional vintages, representing the pinnacle of our craft.

What do you love about making wine in the Yarra Valley?
The most fascinating thing about making wine in the Yarra Valley is the elegance and refinement the region naturally brings to the wines. The diversity of microclimates and soil types means we can produce both beautifully expressive red and white wines – each with its own character and grace. It's rare to find a place where you can grow such a wide range of varieties at a high level. That balance, that versatility, is something truly special. 

What can guests expect from a visit to your Yarra Valley cellar door?
Helen and Joey Estate’s cellar door, located inside the architecturally striking Re’em Yarra Valley venue, offers a wine-tasting experience that’s as refined as the wines themselves. Surrounded by 200 acres of rolling vineyards and panoramic views, our bright, open space sets the scene for a truly immersive Yarra Valley experience.

We offer a range of tasting options to suit all levels of curiosity and experience. From our flagship Re’em tasting to chardonnay-focused flights and group packages, each session is thoughtfully guided by our passionate team. For something extra special, our 12-seat private tasting room – reached via an art deco-inspired staircase and surrounded by custom glass art – offers a serene, intimate setting for deeper exploration.

Tell us about your favourite local spot in the region. 
My favourite place in the Yarra Valley is the Yarra Ranges National Park. It’s a landscape that captures the essence of the region – towering Mountain Ash trees, lush tree ferns, cool rainforest air, and winding roads like the Black Spur that lead you deep into nature. 

I find peace and inspiration there, whether walking the forest trails or taking in the panoramic views from Mount Donna Buang. It’s a reminder of the natural beauty that surrounds the vineyard and why the Yarra Valley is so special – not just for growing grapes, but for grounding the soul. 

Yarra Valley Wine to try: 2023 Re’em Pinot Noir

A light, bright crimson red. A highly perfumed nose of strawberries, cranberries, rose petal and light incense notes. Light to medium bodied, this gentle and well-crafted wine builds nicely in intensity across the palate. The tannins are discreet and persistent, and this will continue to blossom over the next few years. – Philip Rich, 94 points

How's it best enjoyed? This pinot noir’s best friend would be a succulent Peking duck – ideally served on a cold winter's day by the fire. If you have a Burgundy glass set, be sure to get them out for this 94-point beauty. 

RRP $80 | Drink to 2027 | helenandjoeyestate.com.au | Shop this wine

Medhurst Wines

Chief winemaker Rohan Smith says: We are located in the centre of the Yarra Valley in Gruyere, on the western edge of the Warramate Hills in a bushland setting with superb views of the valley. Our wines are subtle, elegant and complex, and reflect the site from which they come.  

What do you love about making wine in the Yarra Valley?  
The Yarra Valley is a perfect location for growing amazing fruit and the site here at Medhurst is particularly special for chardonnay, pinot noir, Shiraz and cabernet. 

I love that the region provides a canvas for so many varieties. The saying ‘great fruit makes great wine’ speaks true and we see a wonderful retention of natural acidity and classic flavours from all of our varieties. The fruit directs our winemaking and leads to a wine of great freshness, complexity, structure and balance. 

What can guests expect from a visit to your cellar door?
The cellar door and restaurant provide visitors with the opportunity to taste our estate-grown wines whilst looking out over the vineyard and surrounds. 

It is a modern space with high vaulted ceilings and earthy elements of timber, concrete, glass and steel. We are open for wine tastings from Thursday through to Monday from 11am-5pm – when folks can also get light meals such as local cheese boards and charcuterie. 

Tell us about your favourite local spot in the region. 
There are so many great places to hang-out and relax in the Yarra Valley, but a special mention has to go to Barrique Wine Store in Healesville for being all things to everyone in the region! It is a true local hub, so if you want a great bottle and fantastic atmosphere, pay them a visit. You won’t be disappointed!

Yarra Valley Wine to try: 2024 Medhurst Estate Rose

Brilliant and clear in appearance with a pale copper blush and a vibrant salmon hue. The nose opens up with delicate jasmine florals, candied orange and wild strawberries with just a hint of bay leaf. The palate is brimming with fresh cassis, juicy red currants, strawberry and a touch of passionfruit pith and is finely and textured with lovely fruit weight. This single vineyard Rose has a trademark long, chalky line and a delicate, dry finish that will leave you salivating for more! 

How's it best enjoyed? It feels like rose is placed as a delicious, hot weather drink (very true of course!), but we believe that it has its place on a table at all times of the year. Assemble some great company and charge your glass with this serious rose – serve slightly chilled with fresh seafood or a grazing platter.   

RRP $30 | Drink to 2027 | medhurstwines.com.au | Shop this wine

Yering Station

Chief winemaker Breadan Hawker says: Yering Station has been core to the Yarra Valley wine story for almost two centuries. Our site was home to the very first plantings in the state of Victoria in 1838, marking the birth of the region we call home today. 

Making pinot noir at Yering Station almost feels like the ultimate pursuit of viticultural and winemaking excellence. When all the elements align, the resulting wines are breathtaking. Our winery is set up for pinot noir production in that we have lots of small open fermenters, which allows us to keep individual parcels of fruit separate, and even break up larger blocks into smaller sections. Our fermenters are also all serviced by gravity, so we don’t have to use a pump to move any pinot noir skins around the winery – avoiding extraction of any harsh, astringent tannins.

What do you love about making wine in the Yarra Valley?  
The Yarra Valley is ideal for producing premium wine, being a cool climate region; with the continental climate influence of cool nights and the maritime influence of Port Philip Bay buffering the severity of heat events when they occur. When it comes to site selection and microclimate, a plethora of unique aspects and soil types allow all the beautifully unique shades and personalities of pinot noir to shine through.

What can guests expect from a visit to your cellar door? 
Housed in the original winery building from 1859, our heritage cellar door brims with rustic charm and original finishes – from exposed, white-washed brick to towering wooden beams. 

Look closely to spot treasured relics, including centuries-old wine bottles, as well as special back-vintages released from our museum in extremely limited quantities. After your tasting, enjoy a memorable dining experience in our signature restaurant, feasting on local, seasonal produce while overlooking the expansive Yarra Ranges. 

Tell us about your favourite local spot in the region. 
The Yarra Valley is a wine and food lover’s dream – overflowing with quality cellar doors, providores, restaurants, markets and more. It’s hard to choose one! But my favorite spot would be Barrique Wine Store or Jayden Ong Winery & Cellar Bar, both in Healesville and run by absolute legends with top quality wine and food offerings.

Yarra Valley Wine to try: 2023 Yering Station Pinot Noir 

An attractive, perfumed nose offering scents of raspberries, cranberries and gentle spice and rose petal. The palate is plush and complex, full of seductive dark cherry fruit and spice, with ultra-silky tannins on the flavorful, long finish.

How's it best enjoyed? You don’t need to do much to enjoy our 2023 pinot noir – pair it all with good food in good company, and you’ll be sorted. If you’re thinking of matching it to one particular dish, you really can’t go wrong with a rich porcini mushroom tagliatelle.  

RRP $40 | Drink to 2030 | yering.com | Shop this wine

Top image: Yering Station

Expand your knowledge with Halliday Wine Academy

Halliday Wine Academy offers an in-depth view of the Australian and international wine landscapes. Select Introduction to Wine to learn about Australian wine and regions or choose Wines of the World (part one) to get to know international wines.

Through Introduction to Wine, students will learn about Australian wine and wine regions, how wine is made, how to taste and describe wine, how to approach food and wine matches, along with handy tips that address common wine questions. And in part one of our Wines of the World course, discover and explore the iconic wines, regions and laws of France, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Germany and Austria.