Group Dining at Yarra Valley Wineries: The Best Restaurants
When it comes to planning a group outing to Yarra Valley wineries, one important aspect to consider is where to eat. After all, the food can make or break the experience. Luckily, the Yarra Valley is home to some fantastic restaurants that are perfect for large groups. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the top 10 restaurants in the area that are great for group dining.
First, let’s talk about where to find these restaurants. All are not far from Melbourne, the majority located on-site at wineries, making it easy to pair your meal with a wine tasting. Some wineries even have multiple dining options, so you can choose the one that best suits your group’s needs. There are also a few standalone restaurants in the area that specialise in local produce and wine pairings.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the top restaurants in the Yarra Valley for large groups:
Rochford Wines
Rochford Wines is a family-owned winery that has been producing wine for over 30 years. The winery is well-known for its high-quality wines and an on-site restaurant that serves modern Australian cuisine with Mediterranean influences. The restaurant is rustic and elegant, featuring a large outdoor dining area that is perfect for those sunny Yarra Valley days. The menu changes seasonally, but you can always expect to find dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients. The recommended dish is the Slow-Cooked Lamb Shoulder, served with creamy polenta, olive tapenade, and mint yoghurt. And when it comes to wine, try their Rochford Yarra Valley Chardonnay, which pairs perfectly with the lamb.
TarraWarra Estate
TarraWarra Estate is a beautiful winery and art museum set on a picturesque hillside. The winery produces high-quality wines and has a contemporary restaurant that offers a daily changing menu of Mediterranean-inspired dishes. The dining room is elegant and modern with a view of the vineyard. The recommended dish is the Pan-Seared Barramundi, which is served with fennel puree, confit tomatoes, and a saffron emulsion. And when it comes to wine, you can’t go wrong with their TarraWarra Estate Pinot Noir, which has a rich and complex flavour profile that complements the fish perfectly.
De Bortoli
De Bortoli is an award-winning winery and family-owned since 1928. The winery offers a casual on-site café and a more formal restaurant that serves Italian-inspired cuisine, using local and seasonal ingredients. The atmosphere is warm and friendly, perfect for a relaxing lunch or dinner. The recommended dish is the Veal Osso Buco, served with polenta, gremolata, and parsley. And for wine, try the De Bortoli La Bossa, a classic Australian Shiraz that will pair perfectly with the osso buco.
Chateau Yering
Chateau Yering is a stunning location set in a historical building built in 1854. The winery offers a range of dining options, including a casual café, a fine dining restaurant, and a private dining room. The food is modern Australian with a French twist, and the service is excellent. The recommended dish is the Confit Duck Leg, which is served with celeriac puree, glazed plums, and port jus. For wine, their Chateau Yering Pinot Noir is a great choice, with its soft tannins and red fruit flavours complementing the rich flavours of the duck.
Balgownie Estate
Balgownie Estate is one of the oldest wineries in the Yarra Valley, and it’s a beautiful location to dine at. They have a restaurant that serves modern Australian cuisine, and the view is amazing. The restaurant is perfect for group dining and special occasions. The recommended dish is the Pan-Seared Scallops, which is served with pea puree, bacon lardons, and herb butter. And for wine, the Balgownie Estate Chardonnay is a great choice, with its rich, buttery flavours that pair well with the scallops.
Oakridge Wines
Oakridge Wines is a family-owned winery that has been producing wines since 1978. The winery offers a modern on-site restaurant that serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine using locally sourced ingredients. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the view of the vineyard is spectacular. The recommended dish is the Roasted Pork Belly, which is served with braised red cabbage, crackling, and apple sauce. For wine, the Oakridge 864 Chardonnay is a perfect pair with the pork belly, it has rich, buttery and nutty undertones.
Punt Road Wines
Punt Road Wines is a family-owned winery that has a beautiful restaurant that serves modern Australian cuisine. The food is amazing, and the service is excellent. The restaurant is perfect for group dining, and the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. The recommended dish is the Grilled lamb cutlets, which are served with mint pesto, roasted root vegetables, and a red wine jus. For wine, the Punt Road Pinot Noir pairs perfectly with the lamb, it’s a complex wine with a rich and full-bodied taste.
So now that we’ve given you a taste of some of the best restaurants in the Yarra Valley for large groups, let’s talk about why taking a bus tour to the wineries is the way to go. For starters, it’s a great way to avoid the hassle and stress of designated drivers. Plus, when you’re on a bus tour, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery of the beautiful Yarra Valley without worrying about navigating the roads.
Another great advantage of taking a bus tour to the wineries is that it allows you to visit multiple wineries in one day. Without a bus, you would have to limit yourself to just one or two wineries, but with a bus, you can make the most of your time in the area and visit as many wineries as possible.
Overall, there are many reasons why taking a bus tour to the wineries is a great idea, and now that you know where to eat while you’re there, you’re all set for a fantastic group outing to the Yarra Valley.