Drop in to the Yarra Valley
In need of a weekend escape? Only an hour east of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley offers adventure, indulgence and relaxation, all wrapped into one appealing and easy-to-navigate destination. The new Ford Endura ST-Line, with its luxurious leatheraccented seats and advanced technology, such as adaptive cruise control, is the ticket to get you there. Here’s your must-visit list for a great getaway. 1. Enjoy Pimpernel Vineyards
In 2001, Mark and Fiona Horrigan bought six hectares of land and decided to (quite literally) put down some roots. This winery (pimpernelvineyards.com.au) is the result. Grapes are hand-picked and dry-farmed, while the wines are cellared on the premises for at least a year before release. Tastings in the glass-walled cellar door are run by the Horrigans’ daughter, Maddy, and the overall feel is easygoing yet refined.
2. Settle in at Innocent Bystander
The philosophy at this winery (innocentbystander.com.au) is that wine shouldn’t be overly serious – even when it is seriously good. The urban-style cellar door is a contrast to the family-farm feel at Pimpernel but with such a welcoming atmosphere (and excellent paella), it’s a lovely spot to while away an afternoon.
3. Experience the Graceburn Wineroom
Born and raised in the Yarra, winemaker Mac Forbes (macforbes.com) spent his formative years travelling the world, soaking in all the best bits of winemaking. For the past 10 years, he’s been back home using those skills to produce unique minimal-intervention drops. Tip: ask for the Experimental Batch list. With more than three dozen wineries in the area, options are abundant. But there’s more to the Yarra Valley than wine; all you have to do is say “find places of interest” or “restaurants” aloud and Endura’s integrated SYNC®3 connectivity system will search for what’s nearby and add them to your GPS route.
4. Dine at Graceburn Bistro
As twilight falls, the Graceburn cellar door (graceburn.com) transforms into a cosy 30-seat bistro where Mac Forbes’ experimental style translates seamlessly to the menu, with dishes such as bug tails, kombu butter and lime and pork belly with cherries and seeded mustard. The kitchen team works hand in hand with local farmers to source a seasonal weekly menu.
5. Check in at The Farmhouse at Meletos
After dinner, enjoy the muted colours of the valley at dusk as you drive St Huberts Road towards your accommodation, Meletos (meletos.com). The onceabandoned barn has been cleverly reimagined as 22 boutique rooms and a Tuscan suite. Set on expansive, verdant grounds, the space balances rustic charm with contemporary elegance.
6. Fly high at dawn
With the early-morning dew still heavy, set out at sunrise on a hot-air-balloon adventure against the backdrop of the Dandenong Ranges. It’s one of the most breathtaking ways to take in the undulating hills and patchwork landscape of the region. Balloons launch from Balgownie Estate (balgownieestate.com.au), a 12-minute drive north along the Melba Highway from Meletos. As you’ll need to be there an hour and a half before sunrise, treat yourself afterwards to a relaxing massage at the estate’s day spa before heading off in search of lunch.
7. Gather a picnic
Motor back south towards the Yarra Valley Farmers Market at Yering Station (yarravalleyfood. com.au/farmers-market) to stock up on local lunch goodies. Also add Yarra Valley Dairy (yvd.com. au) to your itinerary to pick up handmade farmhouse cheeses that will finish off the ultimate grazing platter for your picnic at the Maroondah Reservoir.
The Endura’s spacious interiors mean you won’t have to think twice about packing in all of your purchases (including any wine you’ve accumulated).
8. Get cultural at TarraWarra Museum of Art
This award-winning architecturally designed museum (twma.com.au) sits among the valley’s rolling hills. Here, you’ll discover a seasonally rotating collection, mostly featuring innovative Australian artists. Afterwards, wander up to the TarraWarra Estate cellar door and bistro (tarrawarra.com.au) for your final meal of the weekend.
With your appetite adventure for sated and the bounty of a weekend away carefully stowed, settle into your personally adjusted leather-accented seats for a drive home that will be as enjoyable as your weekend away.