Cruising into the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges feels like opening a storybook—there are rolling hills and roads lined with towering ferns, quaint old churches and striking burnt orange sunsets (golden hour hits differently in the country). When a region looks as romantic as this, you can see why loads of Melbourne locals make the one-hour drive for short getaways and laid-back weddings. But, we all know the real allure of the Yarra Valley is its awesome food and wine—made possible by ideal growing conditions and some very talented chefs.
Following Melbourne Food and Wine Festival's successful regional edition (which celebrated the best of the region and wrapped up last week), we teamed up with Visit Victoria to chat with one of those talented chefs—Hubert Estate's Michael Smith. Here, the Exec Chef shares his Yarra Valley food faves, from cheap feeds to gourmet picnic staples and top-notch wineries for date night.
How would you describe the food scene in the Yarra Valley?
Yarra Valley’s food scene has always been good. Recently, the chefs and restaurateurs have been moving it along quicker than ever before. There’s the amazing new venues being built—like ours at Hubert Estate—the places that have had the time to revamp their venues like Balgownie Estate, or the classics that just keep doing what they do so well like Oakridge Wines or Tarrawarra Estate.
There’s no shortage of fantastic chefs pushing their guests to want and expect more from their trips to the Yarra Valley—and we’re delivering.
It’s date night—where are you hitting for a romantic vibe?
Tarrawarra are flirting with the idea of dinners, and they would be perfect. For the moment, we’d be hitting up the awesome folk at Jayden Ong Winery & Cellar Bar. The chef’s menu is the way to go—think Yarra Valley salmon caviar with crème fraîche and potato chips and a braised lamb shoulder. They use loads of local produce and treat the menu like a showcase for seasonal cuisine to share. The vibe is warm and attentive and the food is honest and tasty—so the evening can be as intimate as you’d like to make it.
Let’s talk about wine. What’s your local drink of choice and why?
Right now, it’s a 2022 Coldstream Hills pinot noir—a beautiful drop that goes just as well with charcuterie, as it does a blue cheese. It features a fruity weight to stand up to salty meats, but also enough sweetness and versatility to be super ‘food friendly’.
It’s your mate’s birthday—where are you settling in for a long lunch?
It depends on the crew I’m with. Innocent Bystander would be a go-to if it was a foodie crowd—it has relaxed but high-end service and great food. For a boozier lunch with an awesome vibe to sip the afternoon away, I’d head to the beer garden of the Healesville Hotel. There are plenty of local beers on tap. And, it has a great selection of wine by the glass.
When you’re looking for a great value feed, where do you go?
There are loads of high-end establishments in the Yarra Valley. At Quarters at Hubert Estate, we offer a great value feed for everyone, from families with kids that just need a pizza and a roll down the hill, to the bigger groups needing to fuel up before heading to another cellar door.
There are other places around where you can grab a pizza to share, like Zonzo Estate or some well-priced tasty snacks to go with your beer like Matilda Bay Brewery.
What would you buy for the perfect picnic from local grocers?
Grab a picnic basket and start at K&B (Kitchen and Butcher) to get some fantastic charcuterie, spreads and fillings for sandwiches. Then, let’s head to the Yarra Valley Artisan Baker out in Wesburn for the best sourdough anywhere. If you need more than that on your picnic, turn the cured meats and sourdough into a hearty lunch.
Describe your perfect day in the Yarra Valley.
First, grab a few friends. You’ll need a designated driver—or splash out and hire a driver for the day. Hit the cellar door trail, starting at Coombe or Yering Station. Then, on to Hubert Estate, Oakridge Wines and Levantine Hill. You want to time this just right so you can stop in Healesville to grab a few things to fill the picnic basket for lunch. Now, head to the Maroondah Reservoir Park for a slow, relaxing lunch on the grass and a few more bevvies from the cellar doors you just visited. After lunch, head out to a few more tastings if you dare. Or, have a civilised pitstop at Four Pillars for a cocktail to freshen up the palate. You can stop at any corner to take in some of the amazing scenery and sites.
I’m often driving to work thinking, I can’t believe I get to drive through this beautiful area almost every day!
Which venue is the Yarra Valley’s best-kept secret?
The best-kept secret is that the Yarra Valley is open every day. You can get out there from Monday to Friday, not just the weekends, and take advantage of the time that the loving people of the area have for you. You can take in the amazing hospitality, food, wine and other beverages the growers, brewers, distillers, and artists have to offer. Come hungry for adventure and looking for awesomeness, and you won’t be disappointed.
What will surprise people about eating and drinking in the Yarra Valley?
The most surprising thing newcomers find when they visit the Yarra Valley is the people. The families and teams behind some of their fave wine labels, gin makers, and artists are there waiting to show you why you should be taking up everything on offer.
Plus, they’re all locals—to each other and the area. You’ll get told to go and visit the place next door…not something competitors often do. They know that if they give you more reasons to come back out here, then you’re more likely to do so. They'll encourage you to keep exploring and above all enjoy!
Editor’s note: this article was produced in partnership with Visit Victoria as part of the "Stay close, go further" campaign. Thank you for supporting the partners who make Urban List possible. To read our editorial policy, click here.
Images: Visit Victoria