There’s nothing quite like a day spent visiting wineries. The picturesque vineyards, the charming farmyards, the warm welcomes of the proprietors – and of course those delicious wine tastings.
But a day of serenely sipping and sampling poses the question: how does one make one’s way from cellar door to cellar door?
Enter Grape Explorations. This boutique wine tour company specialises in taking small groups on private outings to Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley and surrounding areas. Catering for groups from 1-30 people, Grape Explorations curates each tour for the occasion, visiting everything from grand estates to small family-run wineries, plus breweries, distilleries and restaurants.
Founder Michael Aveson began Grape Explorations in 2019 with the aim of offering guests a relaxed and casual yet sophisticated experience. With his intimate knowledge of both wine varieties and local growing regions, he’s forged relationships with a wide range of winery partners.
“My family has lived in the area for nearly 50 years, so we can pass our knowledge on to our guests,” Aveson says. “We take the hassle out of organising your day out – we know who's open when, when to visit, and when to not!”
Visitors are spoiled for choice. The Mornington Peninsula boasts 200 vineyards, 60 wineries and 50 cellar doors, plus beautiful beaches, undulating hills and a microclimate particularly suited to chardonnays and pinot noirs. The Yarra Valley is recognised as one of the world's premier wine growing regions, with more than 80 cellar doors, superb restaurants and luxury accommodation.
To navigate this plethora of options, Grape Explorations meticulously tailors its tours. “From the initial enquiry, we talk to our client about the day, figuring out the best venues to include based on the day of the week, the number of guests, the pickup location and of course, if there’s a special occasion or reason for the day,” Aveson explains. “Once we establish this detail, we can use our 'best fit' approach and put together a sample itinerary for approval. Most of the time though, our clients put their trust in is and let us surprise them on the day.”