Gems  of  the Yarra  Valley ™

A select program featuring the boutique wineries of the Yarra Valley. Our tour concentrates on those wineries lying in the western rim of the broader Yarra Valley. Known by many locals as the Diamond Valley, the area features a fantastic selection of boutique wineries. During your day outdoors touring, you'll enjoy a day that offers:-

• the chance to meet winemakers, 

• view operations at close hand, 

• see diverse winery and cellar-door buildings and

• enjoy magic wines while taking in views of the nearby ranges and surrounding country. 

The wineries of the Diamond Valley are growing in stature and offer a great new wine experience for visitors. Collectively this group of wineries offers excellent proximity and access to central Melbourne. In little more than 30 minutes you can be enjoying your first tasting. The area is also known for its art, and a number of the cellar doors feature presentations by local artists. 

Sadly the Diamond Valley community (as well as other parts of the broader Yarra Valley) was ravaged by the "Black Saturday" Victorian Bushfires on Saturday 7 February 2009. None of the properties shown above were directly attacked by the fires, but the photos below tell something of the severity of the event and the aftermath.

The photos below are taken in the districts below Kinglake. The faint green hue across the paddocks (evident in the left and right photos) followed some rains in early March, and disguises somewhat the severity of the scene as it would have been in the immediate aftermath of the fires. The middle photo is in a section of Kinglake National Park. Clearly the heat was at its most severe and all that remains are the blackened remnants of the forest while the ground is simply scorched earth.

Victorians, Australians too and many people across the world were very touched by the images presented in the various news media about this event. We can only give thanks for those survivors who directly faced the onslaught of the fires, who sheltered neighbours and people unknown while the fire passed, and of course the firefighters for what they witnessed and endured. Finally we thank those many in the community who helped with the resultant extraordinary relief effort.

The banner photos include Evelyn County Estate, the vineyards of Arthurs Creek Estate, the tasting hall at Panton Hill Vineyards, Wedgetail Estate and new growth at Lovegroves.