So I turn my compass to the big question, What is the Oldest Winery in the Yarra Valley? and I’m always drawn back to the patch of ground where the region’s wine story really began — Yering Station. I’m Paul Beames, and after enough kilometres through the Yarra Ranges to wear down a good set of tyres, I can tell you this: nothing in the valley comes close to the history in this place. The Ryrie brothers planted the first vines here in 1838, long before “cellar door” became a weekend verb and long before Maroondah Highway traffic tested everyone’s patience.
Walk through Yering Station today and you’ll feel the past sitting comfortably alongside the present. This winery still leads the charge with cool-climate wines, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon that show exactly why this valley is world-class.
The First Chapter of Local Wine: Yering Station
Every great wine region starts somewhere, and in the Yarra Glen area, that story begins here. Yering Station wasn’t just early — it was first, planted when this was still Wurundjeri Country with only narrow tracks cutting through the bush.
The Ryrie brothers, followed by the more widely recognised de Castella family, shaped those early vineyard blocks with a mix of optimism and sheer grit. They brought European know-how, localised it to the Dandenong Ranges foothills and stitched the foundation for what would become the modern Yarra Valley wine identity.
How Yering Station Shaped The Region’s Wine Identity
Cool climate wine wasn’t a buzzword back then — it was just the hand we were dealt. Yering Station went all in on it and proved early on that Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and sparkling wines could thrive in the valley’s cold mornings and long, gentle growing season.
Their success encouraged the big guns — Yarra Yering, Coldstream Hills, TarraWarra Estate, Oakridge Wines, Giant Steps and others — to move in. Without Yering Station’s early wins, the Yarra Valley might have ended up like the Hunter Valley — still great, but a different wine region altogether.
The way we talk about Yarra Valley wines today — vibrant table wines, elegant red wines, aromatic sauvignon blanc and refined sparkling wine — all come back to Yering Station, proving what cool climate could do.
What Makes This Old Vineyard Special
There’s a reason vines love this land. The soil types across Yering Station’s historic blocks include loamy sand, pockets of clay, and old, well-drained riverbeds shaped over thousands of years. Some rows even get a gentle volcanic soil influence drifting in from Upper Yarra.
Those varied soils create wines that don’t taste like they’re from anywhere else — Pinot with finesse, Chardonnay with grip and Cabernet that carries a whisper of spice from the valley floor. As Vineyard Manager Ben Buckingham says, “You work with the soil here, not against it.” He’s right — this place teaches patience.
A Look At Yering Station In Numbers
Here’s where the boots-on-the-ground stuff gets handy. Numbers don’t tell the whole story, but they sure fill the gaps.
| Stat | Detail |
| Year Founded | 1838 |
| Founders | Ryrie brothers (later de Castella family) |
| Vineyard Area | ~ 120 hectares |
| Elevation | 90–130 metres |
| Wine Styles | Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, sparkling wine, table wines |
| Region | Yarra Glen, Yarra Ranges |
| Annual Visitors | 100,000+ (pre-pandemic) |
| Recognition | Featured in Halliday Wine Companion |
How A Century-Old Estate Keeps Its Momentum
You don’t get to stick around for nearly two centuries by doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Yering Station stays in the game because it’s willing to take a few risks while keeping its roots firmly planted in tradition.
Their winemaking team seems to pull that off with ease – they’re like old friends who’ve been at it for years:
Modern techniques get the nod when it comes to fermentation, but the good old-fashioned fruit still gets the final say.
Sustainability is a non-negotiable around here – it’s not just something that gets thrown on a marketing brochure.
Events, art installations, and seasonal festivals make sure visitors keep coming back for more – and not just to buy some wine.
It’s a winery that knows precisely where it came from without getting too stuck in its ways – like that old mate who’s still got a laugh or two up his sleeve at the Christmas barbie.
What Awaits You on Arrival
First thing you notice when you drive up? Loads of space – expansive lawns, big skies, vineyard rows stretching out as far as the eye can see in the direction of the Dandenong Ranges. That’s your Yarra Glen welcome right there.
So what else can you expect when you drop in?
The cellar door is looking good – it’s got those amazing valley views and a constantly changing list of cool-climate wines, so you can keep things interesting.
Their sparkling wines are seriously up there with the best of the best in Australia – no joke.
The gallery-style space is a great fit, given that you’re in the valley, where the TarraWarra Museum of Art is just down the road.
Location-wise, it’s a piece of cake – just a short hop from Maroondah Highway, no dodgy gravel roads to spoil your day either.
If you’ve got non-drinkers in the crew, there’s still heaps for them to see and do – we’re talking Healesville Sanctuary, Yarra Valley Dairy, and the Healesville Makers Quarter are all close by, so you can easily chuck ’em into your day’s loop.
Local Insider Tips For Exploring The Region
Paul’s Yarra Valley Insider Tips
Get up early because the fog off the Yarra Ranges can bugger all up your day if you leave it too late
Give the weekends a miss if you don’t mind things being a bit quieter at the cellar door
Mix it up – have a look at TarraWarra Estate or Oakridge Wines while you’re there to see how their cool-climate styles stack up against Yering Station.
Take the kiddos – Healesville Sanctuary is a real winner with families.
Pack a jacket – it can still get pretty chilly even in the summer when the Dandenong Ranges let their breath out.
Keep an eye out for roos around dusk on the Yarra Glen backroads.
If you’d rather leave the driving to someone else, you can just hop on a wine tour with Yarra Valley Winery Tours Melbourne and let them sort you out.
There’s no need to rush – three wineries is a pretty full day, and any more and you’ll end up with a palate that’s completely mushed.
Best Time To Visit
You can visit any time of year, but each season is different:
Autumn: The valley is orange; Pinot Noir tasting is a spiritual experience.
Winter: Crisp, quiet, great for long cellar-door chats. Just don’t expect mornings that’ll freeze your socks off.
Spring: Vines come alive; great for photos if you’re into that.
Summer: Warm days, cool nights — perfect for outdoor tastings. Bring sunscreen.
If I had to pick? Late April to early May — calm weather, fewer crowds, best colours.
Travel With A Sense Of Story
When you visit Yering Station, you’re not just visiting a winery. You’re walking into the birthplace of Victorian wine — a story written by pioneers, shaped by land and carried by generations.
Bring patience. Bring curiosity. And bring a willingness to listen to the stories whispered through those old vines. They’ve earned their say.
FAQ
What makes Yering Station the oldest winery in the Yarra Valley?
It was the first vineyard planted in 1838 by the Ryrie brothers, with a continuous wine history in the region.
What wine styles does Yering Station produce?
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, sparkling wine, and cool-climate table wines.
How long should I stay?
About 1.5 to 2 hours for tastings, walking the grounds and the cellar door.
Are there other wineries nearby?
Yes — TarraWarra Estate, Oakridge Wines, Yarra Yering, Giant Steps, Maddens Rise and De Bortoli Wines are all close.
Is Yering Station family-friendly?
Yes — and it’s close to Healesville Sanctuary and Yarra Valley Dairy. It’s very family-friendly.