The Yarra Valley is one of Australia’s premier cool-climate wine regions, located just an hour northeast of Melbourne. With its picturesque landscapes, acclaimed wineries, and award-winning restaurants, it has become a popular destination for food and wine lovers. If you’re planning a visit to the Yarra Valley, be sure to include a stop at the iconic De Bortoli Wines Yarra Valley winery and estate.
In this article, you’ll discover why De Bortoli Wines is a must-visit in the Yarra Valley and how to make the most of your time there. From wine tastings to dining and more, here are insights into experiencing the very best this renowned winery and the surrounding Yarra Valley wine country have to offer.
Why Visit De Bortoli Wines Yarra Valley?
Founded by Italian immigrants Vittorio and Giuseppina De Bortoli in 1928, De Bortoli Wines has grown from humble beginnings making wine in the family garage to become one of Australia’s leading family-owned wineries. The Yarra Valley estate specifically was established by third-generation winemaker Darren De Bortoli and his wife Leanne in 1987.
Set amongst 120 hectares of picturesque vineyards and gardens, complete with an onsite restaurant and luxury accommodation, the De Bortoli Yarra Valley cellar door offers the perfect base to taste premium cool climate wines while also soaking in the beautiful scenery.
Some key reasons to make De Bortoli Wines a priority on your Yarra Valley itinerary include:
Award-Winning Wines with Italian Heritage
De Bortoli is renowned for producing high quality wines with depth of varietal character that reflect the Yarra Valley’s unique terroir. Their Yarra Valley range includesPinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Shiraz, along with Italian varietals like Sangiovese and Nebbiolo. De Bortoli wines have won countless awards and accolades over the decades.
Gourmet Dining with Stunning Views
On site, the celebrated Locale Restaurant offers Italian-inspired cuisine beautifully matched with De Bortoli wines. With Lead Chef Ashley Webber at the helm, you can enjoy a gourmet meal overlooking the estate’s vineyards and gardens. Locale has appeared in Gourmet Traveller’s Restaurant Guide every year since 2009.
Warm Hospitality and Personalized Experience
The De Bortoli family is passionate about sharing their love of food, wine and the Yarra Valley region with guests. A visit to their cellar door is an opportunity to connect personally with the family legacy while experiencing warm Italian hospitality.
Full Range of Experiences for All Interests
In addition to standard tastings and dining, De Bortoli also offers behind-the-scenes winery tours, a museum, luxury spa suites onsite, personalized tasting experiences, a bocce court, and spaces for weddings and events. There are experiences suited for all different tastes and interests.
Clearly, De Bortoli Wines offers some of the best and most varied experiences of any Yarra Valley winery. Keep reading for an overview of how to make the most of your visit.
Planning Your Visit to De Bortoli Yarra Valley
De Bortoli Wines Yarra Valley is located at 17 De Bortoli Road, Dixons Creek, Victoria. The cellar door is open daily from 10am to 5pm. It’s approximately a 1 hour 15 minute drive from Melbourne.
Some key tips for planning your visit:
- Check the Website or Call Ahead: Look at debortoli.com.au or call +61 (0)3 5965 2271 to check current opening hours or events during your travel dates. The winery sometimes hosts special dinners or closes for private functions.
- Book Tastings and Restaurant Reservations: It’s highly recommended to book wine tastings in advance, as walk-ins are not always guaranteed. Make sure to also book a table at Locale Restaurant if you want to dine there too.
- Allow Enough Time: You’ll want to allow 2-4 hours minimum to tour the winery, taste several wines, enjoy lunch, and explore the grounds. Leave extra time if you opt for a more extensive wine experience.
- Designate a Driver: There are lots of wines to taste and the winery is remote, so having a designated driver is wise. Alternatively, book a wine tour that offers transport.
- Dress Comfortably: Dress is casual, but be prepared for cooler weather especially in winter. Wear sensible shoes as you’ll be walking between buildings.
With the right planning and preparation, you’re sure to have an amazing experience of food, wine, scenery and hospitality at De Bortoli Yarra Valley.
Tasting the Wines at the Cellar Door
The highlight for many visitors is sampling De Bortoli’s premium Yarra Valley wines, which can only be tasted at the winery itself.
Some tips for getting the most of your cellar door tasting:
Opt for a Structured Tasting
Choose from a guided flight tasting that explores a specific wine range or theme, or book an intimate, personalized tasting. These experiences let you learn deeply about the wines versus just sipping and dashing.
Taste Current and Aged Releases
Try to taste both current vintage wines alongside museum and aged releases to understand how the wines evolve over time. The staff can select special bottles on request.
Pair with Cheese Boards
Opt to have a grazing plate or cheese pairing alongside your wine tasting. The flavors of fine cheeses perfectly complement and accentuate the wines.
Ask Questions and Chat with Staff
Don’t be shy – ask the winery staff lots of questions about the winemaking, history, terroir, etc. to enrich your experience. The staff are very knowledgeable.
Buy a Bottle (Or More) to Take Home
If you try a wine you love, you can purchase a bottle or case in the cellar door shop after your tasting. This way you can continue enjoying it long after your trip.
Tasting outstanding cool climate wines in the beautiful natural setting of their source is an experience every wine lover should have in the Yarra Valley. De Bortoli offers a world-class yet welcoming and down-to-earth venue to do just that.
Enjoying a Fine Meal at Locale Restaurant
For many visitors, dining at Locale Restaurant is a highlight that perfectly rounds out the De Bortoli Wines experience.
Here are tips for making the most of your meal at Locale:
Select Yarra Valley-Inspired Dishes
The menu features locally-sourced ingredients from regional meat, dairy, and produce purveyors. Dishes utilize what’s freshest and in season in the Yarra Valley.
Pair Food with De Bortoli Wines
Let the expert staff suggest or select wines from the cellar that perfectly complement your meal. You can find new favorite pairings this way.
Sit Outdoors When Weather Permits
Ask for a table on the terrace to fully soak up the winery views and natural tranquility that surrounds Locale Restaurant.
Save Room for Dessert
The pastry team creates heavenly desserts like tuiles with Noble One botrytis semillon to finish your meal on a sweet note.
Make a Weekend of It
Book a luxury suite to spend the night, which allows you to enjoy dinner at Locale without rushing anywhere. Make a whole weekend of relaxing on the estate.
With fresh regional cuisine, attentive service, and sommeliers to match food with the ideal wines, Locale Restaurant offers an unparalleled farm-to-table dining experience in the Yarra Valley’s beautiful countryside.
More Ways to Immerse Yourself in the Estate
In addition to the above, De Bortoli Wines offers a diverse range of premium experiences to further immerse yourself in the Yarra Valley’s wine culture during your visit.
Take a Winery Tour
Join a guided walkthrough of the winemaking facilities to gain insight into how De Bortoli’s renowned wines get made from grape to glass. Tours run daily at 11am and 2pm.
Get Active with Lawn Games
After all the sipping and sitting, enjoy some friendly competition with a round of bocce or petanque on the estate’s garden lawn area.
Stay Overnight in a Luxury Suite
Book a stay in one of the winery’s opulent villas, nestled privately amongst the vineyards and gardens. Rates include breakfast, estate activities, and more.
Learn the History
Pop into the family museum to see decades of De Bortoli artifacts, photos, historical documents, and stories. Gain context around the family’s multigenerational legacy.
Attend a Special Event
Keep an eye out for concerts, winemaker dinners, new vintage releases, and other special events held periodically at the winery. These are unique opportunities.
Walk or bicycle along the picturesque country trails around the estate. It’s a relaxing way to take in gorgeous views of the vines and gardens. Bikes can be hired.
Get Some Exercise
With a huge range of offerings beyond just standard tastings and dining, you’re sure to find plenty of memorable activities to fill your time at De Bortoli Yarra Valley.
Where to Next? More Yarra Valley Wineries to Visit
If you fall in love with the wines, scenery and hospitality of the Yarra Valley, you’ll probably want to also visit some of the nearby wineries as part of the same trip or on a return.
Here are some other excellent Yarra Valley wineries and cellar doors to consider adding to your itinerary:
- Yering Station – Historic winery with fine dining restaurant and lovely views
- Domaine Chandon – Elegant setting to taste sparkling wines
- Rochford – Fun cellar door experience with concerts and classes
- Mandala – Excellent Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in a modern space
- Medhurst – Intimate family-run winery with superb Shiraz
- Oakridge – Sustainable winery with top notch Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
- Bella Vineyards – Beautiful estate with Italian varietals and pizzeria
- Yarra Yering – Historic dry-grown wines on the region’s first vineyard
With over 100 wineries and cellar doors to choose from, it’s easy to fill a whole vacation with wine tasting in the Yarra Valley. Use De Bortoli Wines as your home base, while also exploring other gems in the surrounding region.
Planning Your Trip to the Yarra Valley
To help you plan a stellar getaway to the Yarra Valley incorporating the above tips and recommendations, here are some key practical considerations:
- Best Time to Visit: The mild seasons of spring (September-November) and fall (March-May) are ideal. Cellar doors are typically open daily.
- Getting There: The Yarra Valley is just over an hour’s drive northeast from Melbourne. Having a rental car is best to fully explore at your own pace.
- Where to Stay: Besides De Bortoli’s onsite suites, the Yarra Valley has everything from luxury lodges to cozy cottages and guesthouses to choose from.
- Length of Stay: Allow at least 2-3 full days to relax, dine, and visit several top cellar doors like De Bortoli’s without an excessive amount of rushing around. Extend your stay further to really soak it in.
- Wine Tour Options: Many companies like AAT Kings offer private and group tours if you don’t want to self-drive. These hit multiple cellar doors in one day.
With its rolling hills, quality cool climate wines, farm-to-table cuisine and numerous world-class wineries like De Bortoli to discover, the Yarra Valley promises an idyllic getaway for vino lovers.
Enjoy the Best the Yarra Valley Has to Offer
The Yarra Valley is a wine-lover’s paradise, and no trip to the region is complete without visiting the acclaimed De Bortoli Wines Yarra Valley estate. Spend an afternoon in their welcoming cellar door tasting delicious cool climate wines straight from the source, indulging in fresh regional Italian cuisine from Locale Restaurant, and absorbing the natural tranquility and beauty of the estate. With family-friendly hospitality, stunning vineyards and gardens, luxury lodging and dining, and unique experiences like winery tours offered in one place, De Bortoli Wines makes the perfect base for discovering the very best of Yarra Valley wine country.
So next time you’re dreaming of a getaway featuring world-class pinots, chardonnays and fresh farm-to-fork fare, be sure to put De Bortoli Wines in the Yarra Valley at the top of your itinerary. The hardest part will be leaving at the end of your stay to continue your discoveries around the Yarra Valley. But once you experience De Bortoli’s renowned hospitality, you’re sure to return again and again.
Wine tasting and sales open every day, 10.00 am. – 5.00 pm.
Northern Italian – style restaurant open 7 days for lunch, Saturday nights for dinner. Fully licensed. Function bookings welcome.
FAQ
Q: What is De Bortoli Wines?
A: De Bortoli Wines is a winery located in the Yarra Valley, Victoria. It is known for its vineyards in Rutherglen and Dixons Creek, as well as its presence in Hunter Valley.
Q: Can I purchase or consume De Bortoli Wines if I am under the age of 18?
A: No, De Bortoli Wines adheres to legal regulations and does not allow persons under the age of 18 years to purchase or consume alcohol.
Q: What is the ABN of De Bortoli Wines?
A: The ABN (Australian Business Number) of De Bortoli Wines is 77 000 146 672.
Q: Are there any penalties for supplying liquor to a person under the age of 18?
A: Yes, it is illegal to supply liquor to a person under the age of 18 years. Penalties for non-compliance with this law can be severe.
Q: Where is De Bortoli Wines located?
A: De Bortoli Wines has multiple locations. One of its estates is in Bilbul New South Wales 2680, and it also has a presence in Rutherglen, Victoria, and of course the Yarra Valley.
Q: What should I do if I have an enquiry for De Bortoli Wines?
A: If you have any enquiries, you can contact De Bortoli Wines at 02 6966 0100 (ABN 77 000 146 672).
Q: Is there a type of license number associated with De Bortoli Wines?
A: Yes, De Bortoli Wines has a type of licence number related to the liquor act 1992 and liquor act 2007. However, the specific type of licence details may vary based on the location and type of license for each of its premises.
Q: Are there any accommodations available at De Bortoli Wines?
A: Yes, De Bortoli Wines offers accommodation and conference facilities at their estate. This allows guests to have a complete experience of the vineyard and its surroundings.
Q: Does De Bortoli Wines believe in the importance of wine qualities?
A: Yes, De Bortoli Wines believes that wine should have varietal detail and be a reflection of the site and season. They strive for consistent delivery of excellent service.
Q: What other awards or recognition has De Bortoli Wines received?
A: De Bortoli Wines’ winery restaurant, Leanne De Bortoli, and her husband have been recognized on Trip Advisor’s Hall of Fame for their excellent wine and dining experiences.
Q. Is De Bortoli Wines Pty Ltd a wholesaler
A: Yes. De Bortoli Wines is primarily focused on wholesaling its collection of wines.