Episode 10: Yarra Valley special

This week's Postcards goes to the Yarra Valley, an hour from Melbourne. Here Rebecca enjoys the delights of the Yarra Valley Farmers Market at Yering Station, Glen checks out the regional Cider and Ale Trail, Brodie indulges at Mandala Wines then heads to beautiful Araluen Lodge, and Shane stays at Big Yarra View and enjoys a fabulous day on the new Segway tours around Rochford Winery.   

Araleun Lodge and Mandala Wines
A stay in the Yarra Valley wouldn't be complete without a visit to a vineyard and one of the younger cellar doors and restaurants making a splash is Mandala. Here much of the produce is sourced directly from the land and you'll find game-inspired dishes accompanied by fresh heirloom vegetables.  

After a day of winey touring, Araluen Lodge in Yarra Glen is a perfect retreat with your choice of four king suites in the main house and three fully self-contained freestanding villas around the property.

Mandala Wines
1568 Melba Highway, Dixons Creek
Ph 03 5965 2016
mandalawines.com.au

Araluen Lodge
603 Steels Creek Road, Yarra Glen
Ph 03 5965 2013
araluenlodge.com.au

Cider and Ale Trail
If wine isn't your favourite tipple, there's the Yarra Valley Cider and Ale Trail. White Rabbit Brewery has a reputation for producing top quality beers by experimenting with just four simple ingredients: malt, water, hops and yeast. Kellybrook Winery is famous for their great wines and now Kelly Brothers Cider, an apple and pear cider made from all natural ingredients. The make tracks down to Coldstream and then to Punt Road Wines and Napoleon & Co, where they make an apple cider and pear cider that was voted Australia's best, and you have to try their cider sorbet.

White Rabbit Brewery
Ph 03 5962 6516
whiterabbitbeer.com.au

Kellybrook Winery and restaurant
Ph 03 9722 1304
kellybrookwinery.com.au

Napoleone Vineyard and Punt Road Cellar Door
Ph 03 9739 0666
puntroadwines.com.au

Big Yarra View and Rochford Winery Segway Tour
Big Yarra View sits on 55 acres of fantastic countryside, and is about a ninety-minute drive from Melbourne. The views are indeed big, but the house itself is spectacular and perfect for groups and families, or as a luxurious couples retreat.

Rochford winery is a 20-minute stroll away and your can enjoy a Segway tour that includes lunch at Rochford's restaurant with its amazing array of fresh local dishes complemented by Rochford's wines.

Big Yarra View
bigyarraview.com

Rochford Wines
878–880 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream
Ph 03 5962 2119
rochfordwines.com.au

Yarra Valley Farmers Market
Yarra Valley Farmers market is one of Victoria's longest running markets and is held on the third Sunday of every month. The market is in the beautiful grounds of Yering Station and features produce made and grown by some of the region's best. In addition to an extensive selection of fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables, there are mouth-watering biscuits, fresh-ground coffee and beans, unusual jams, preserves and sauces, honey, buffalo sausages, chocolates, ice-cream, fruit vinegars, home-made pasta, locally baked bread, free-range eggs and a fantastic range of lavender products

Yarra Valley Farmers Market at Yering Station
Ph 03 9730 0114
yering.com
yarravalleyfood.com.au

Yering Station
Melba Highway, Yering
Ph 03 9730 010

Postcards diary

Mount Beauty Music Festival
Enjoy a drive to the country and the great entertainment and regional produce at the Mount Beauty Festival.

Where: Mount Beauty
When: 27–29 April
More: musicmuster.org.au

Southern Grampians Promenade of Sacred Music
Or if you love sacred music, head to Hamilton in the Grampians.

Where: Hamilton
When: 26–29 April
More: promenadeofsacredmusic.com.au

Yarra Valley Food and Wine Festival, Reap and Relish
Or join the foodies at year's Yarra Valley food and wine festival.

Where: Yarra Valley
When: 26–29 April
More: experienceyarravalley.com.au