Chef’s Guide: Four Pillars, Yarra Valley Dairy among best places to eat, drink in the Yarra Valley

The Yarra Valley isn’t just about wine, with this cheese shop, brewery and iconic gin distillery among the best places to eat and drink.

The Yarra Valley isn’t just about wine, with this cheese shop, brewery and iconic gin distillery among the best places to eat and drink, according to Elanore’s Chateau Yering head chef Elizabeth O’Brien.

Yarra Valley Dairy, also enjoyed by goats. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin.

YARRA VALLEY DAIRY

Just out of Yarra Glen is one of my favourite cheese shops in the world, Yarra Valley Dairy. You can taste their range of amazing cow and goats cheeses then choose a few to make your own cheese board then soak up the view and a glass of something local.

70-80 Mcmeikans Rd, Yering 

Four Pillars Gin at Healesville/ Picture: Andrew Poole.

FOUR PILLARS

In beautiful Healesville, the best time to visit is autumn when all the trees turn a stunning array of colours, and Four Pillars is a must. They have tasting paddles so you can sample their award-winning gin. The staff are so friendly and bursting knowledge, if you are a gin lover, this is for you.

2A Lilydale Rd, Healesville

LITTLE CREEK CATTLE

On the main strip in Coldstream, the fresh meat, small goods and smoked products at this butcher’s shop are second to none. My personal favourite is the chicken chilli kabana, or if you are feeling like cooking when you get home grab some of their 5-star eye fillet.

13/4 North Gateway, Coldstream

The Coldstream Brewery at Coldstream. Picture: Steve Tanner.

COLDSTREAM BREWERY

Just down the road from Little Creek Cattle is the amazing Coldstream Brewery. If like me, you love a beer or two stop in for a tasting paddle and be sure to take a six pack of the Golden Ale with you.

694 Maroondah Hwy, Coldstream

The temporary cellar door at Balgownie Estate is worth a visit.

BALGOWNIE ESTATE

For fine wine my top cellar door pick is Balgownie Estate. Their cuvee is my favourite sparkling wine. If you are into big reds the Estate Shiraz or the Cabernet Sauvignon will definitely excite the palate, I am very excited to see their new restaurant and cellar door that is currently under construction, however, their temporary set up is beautiful, definitely worth a visit.

1309 Melba Hwy, Yarra Glen 

Elizabeth O'Brien.

FYI: Elanore’s at Chateau Yering serves dinner Thurs-Sat at 42 Melba Hwy, Yering.

chateauyering.com.au