Yarra Valley

Steels Gate is genuinely balanced across the board. The stand-alone cellar door is medium in size and modern with large windows and an outdoor terrace overlooking the vineyard. It’s pretty and chic but not overstated. 

In terms of wine their whites are fruity and flavoursome without being overpowering. They nail a classic Yarra Pinot while also delivering on the other end with their Cab Sauv. They stick with traditional wines, none of which I could fault. 

The owners (Matthew and Brad) are often around for service and provide great backstory on their transforming from the previous Shantell winery into the own Steels Gate. They explain their wines in an informative way but keep it in layman's terms. 

An excellent all rounder whether you are new to wine or an experienced campaigner. 

I enjoyed pulling into Punt Road's grounds - it was how I imagined pulling onto my grandparents' country property would feel (if they had one...) It is set amongst huge leafy trees with rolling countryside out back.

Inside is a small room allowing for focussed tastings and excellent service. We enjoyed talking with the staff who spoke about their products but also wine generally (best temperature for storage, their favourite wine fridges etc). 

The wine range covers the Yarra's typical drops along with a couple more uncommon styles like the fermented Gris (pinker in colour).

Payten & Jones have stamped their own unique style on their whole operation, from the wines, cellar door and even the artistically drawn wine labels.

We enjoyed visiting here in between our visit to the Four Pillars gin distillery. The cellar door is set on a commercial strip as opposed to huge grounds and has the essence of a bar from the outskirt. Walking inside had an art gallery vibe - it was calming and well styled.

Adding to this gallery feel was the sophisticated service from a 'wine artist'. The wines are delicate, made using French styles but keeping the bold Australian grape flavours. 

While it was raining when we visited, there is apparently an excellent spot out the back for an outdoor drink and I am keen to revisit next time i'm in the area.

Yering to me blends together the best features in both big-name and boutique wineries. 

It's an established winery, the rustic brick and stone cellar door is a testament to their experience in the industry. Inside has large floorboards and dark timber, so when you pick out and purchase your wines its like shopping at an old-school general store.

Despite its popularity, when we've been served on both occasions the crowds seemed to disappear. This is no small statement, I find crowds overwhelming and hard to ignore! The attitude of staff was still humble and happy to see new faces. 

There is a more modern and contemporary building nearby to dine at and have functions. There are ample grounds which would keep any youngster entertained (i.e distracted while you drink). The wines are excellent, particularly their whites and it should certainly be on your list.

There is so much I love about visiting Tarrawarra, so please excuse any rambling as I try paint a picture. 

Through the entry gates you follow a path of tall trees up a driveway. The drive splits and opens up to a picturesque pond situated amongst a well-manicured lawn. All of this is set at the foot of an immaculately designed concrete building, slightly sloped like the drive you take to reach it. 

Continue up the drive around the rear of this building and you can enter the modern building for dining. You can also sit on the outdoor 'treehouse deck' (its built around large trees) overlooking the grounds and the activity atop of the pond.

Or, you can about-turn and enter a hobbit-house door into a concrete, climate controlled bunker, shut off from the outside world and glad to be so. 

The service is engaging, helpful and calming like the environment (how could you not be). The wines equally wonderful, on-brand with the rest of the experience. Miss it at your peril.

They say money can't buy happiness, but it can buy nice things, and Domaine Chandon will kindly share their nice things with any visitor. 

As one of the (if not the) premier vineyards in the Yarra, Domaine is once again set on a huge estate with no expense spared. Everything from the landscaping, the cellar door itself, the outlook, even the carpark has a sense of grandiosity. 

The size of Domaine is its drawcard - I've been with just one other and also with a smaller group, yet have never felt out of place or uncomfortable despite other larger groups dominating the scene (Hens parties for example). 

This is a must-visit. Some people don't like "mainstream" but Chandon maintain their sense of class and enthusiasm for their drops, service and overall experience. 

Come and take a trip to Bordeaux at this charming chateau-style cellar door, enveloped in vines and surrounded by natural greenery.

Like the cellar door, the wines are French-inspired and delicately made. It has an excellent outdoor area for the afternoon tippler and a warm, conversation-inducing interior (while I am sociable, talking with other visitors is fairly unique, so this stood out as a positive to the winery).

People associate wine with France and Dominique Portet fits that association without being at all stereotypical. It takes all the best things about French wine-making without losing its  passport.