Planning the perfect day out for a group of friends can be tricky (with the pressure of it not being a complete, utter disaster and waste of everyone’s time and what not) - we hear you loud and clear. We’re here to help you though, so you and your pals can have a blast and your reputation as the group’s best organiser/ superior member can be reaffirmed.
If you’re wondering what this sublime, foolproof day out could possibly entail, let us paint to you a picture; a glorious, preplanned, sun drenched day in the Yarra Valley, full of wine, food and general good times. It’s no secret that a belly full of dangerously good wine and hearty food makes for an excellent treat, but coupled with great company and beautiful surroundings? You’re pretty much in for the best day ever.
AmazingCo’s Classic Day Out in the Yarra Valley takes you and your group of friends to 3-5 wineries in the area for tastings, as well as teaching you a thing or two about the vino you’ll be sipping (perfect for your friend who somehow hasn’t transgressed past high school and still thinks the sicklier and pinker the wine, the better). To make things easier, you’ll all be picked up and dropped off to the various wineries by your own private driver (so you won’t need to toss a coin to nominate an unlucky girl or guy to act as designated driver). The experience is also completely customisable - we’ll listen to your preferences and hand pick the crème de la crème wineries for your group (and with over 70 vineyards, we know our stuff).
To get the day started, your chauffeur for the day will pick you all up from your accommodation bright and early, bestowing on you some pearls of wisdom pertaining to the area on the scenic journey to your first winery (nothing like a couple of knowledgeable tidbits about wine to properly wake you up). There, you’ll go ahead and be greeted by a seasoned sommelier who’ll take you through your first round of tastings, giving even your most pretentious and self professed ‘wine expert’ friend -who went on a vineyard tour whilst visiting Tuscany two years ago and will keep reminding you of this until the end of time- a dose of novel facts about tasting notes and drinking methods (who knew a glass of chardonnay needed to be cradled in your hands for a couple of minutes to fully allow its dry, medium bodied and acidic flavours to be released? You did, after this tour.).
Excited, relaxed, and successfully satisfied with your first round of tastings, you’ll be picked up by your driver and taken to your other wineries, each distinct from the next and specialising in their own unique varieties (so if you’re not too keen on reds, or sparkling gives you a three day headache reminiscent of a small hammer straight to the brain, we’ve got you covered). Hopping from winery to winery with nothing but fermented grapes in your bellies will undoubtedly make you all hungry too, so you’ll be provided with a number of lunch options to (if you so choose) make a booking for and break up the day (and line your stomach with something a little more substantial).
Although the Yarra Valley is only an hour’s drive from Melbourne, we suggest you make a weekend away out of it, as the tour really does span the entire day (and rushing to get an entire, bleary eyed group all dressed up and out of the city for a 9.30am start somewhere an hour away? Not very relaxing.). The Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort and Spa in Yarra Glen and the Wild Cattle Creek Estate in Wandin North are perfect for groups with a taste for the finer things in life (and a slightly larger budget), while multiple Airbnbs scattered among towns lend help to groups seeking a more affordable option. Irrespective of where your night’s solitude may lie, a number of creeks and bushlands (as well as galleries and local family run cafes) can be explored in the Yarra Ranges, making the weekend away even more enjoyable.