Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia (UWEA) has welcomed TarraWarra Estate in Victoria’s Yarra Valley as the newest member of its prestigious collection of premium Australian wineries.
Located 75 minutes from Melbourne, TarraWarra Estate brings together cool-climate wine, food, art and nature across a 400-hectare property in the heart of one of Australia’s most visited wine regions.
Founded by Marc and Eva Besen, who purchased the property in 1979, TarraWarra’s winemaking story began with the planting of six hectares of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in 1983, following encouragement from renowned Yarra Valley winemaker Dr John Middleton.
Today, the estate encompasses 23.9 hectares of vines, an extensive nature reserve, cattle grazing, a kitchen garden, cellar door and restaurant, underpinned by a commitment to sustainability, provenance and wines that express a strong sense of place.
According to UWEA Executive Officer Sarah Myers, TarraWarra Estate’s combination of wine, food, art, impressive architecture and landscape makes it a natural addition to the collective.
“What makes TarraWarra special is how seamlessly these elements come together. Visitors can spend time exploring the estate, discovering its wines and food, and engaging with the art, architecture and natural environment in a way that feels distinctly Yarra Valley,” said Myers.
“TarraWarra reflects what we look for in an Ultimate Winery Experience – it goes well beyond wine tasting and gives visitors a deeper connection to the winery, its story and the region. We’re delighted to welcome TarraWarra Estate to the collective.”
At the heart of TarraWarra Estate is its striking subterranean cellar door, where visitors can explore wines including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah, alongside Barbera, Nebbiolo, Pinot Noir Rosé and a Roussanne-Viognier-Marsanne blend.
The estate is also home to a chef-hatted restaurant led by Head Chef Daniel Snooks, with seasonal menus showcasing produce from TarraWarra’s kitchen garden and local growers.
Two signature experiences will form part of TarraWarra Estate’s UWEA offering.
The Vineyard Tour & Tasting ($200 pp) takes guests on a guided tour of the vineyards for an introduction to the estate and its approach to sustainable viticulture, before moving into the barrel hall for a private tasting of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The experience explores the influence of soils, aspect, altitude and rainfall on the wines and concludes with cheese and a glass of the guest’s favourite wine.
For a deeper immersion, Land, Vine & Vision ($450 pp) brings together the elements that define TarraWarra in an experience spanning wine, food, art and landscape. Guests are welcomed at the cellar door before enjoying a six-course lunch with matched wines at the estate restaurant, followed by a visit to the TarraWarra Museum of Art and the Eva and Marc Besen Centre, where they can view works from the museum’s collection that would ordinarily be held in storage. A version including private return transfers from Melbourne is also available for $750 per person.
“We are excited to work with Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia and the wineries it represents, each offering a unique perspective on Australian wine and the regions we call home,” said TarraWarra Estate’s General Manager, Samantha Isherwood.
“We look forward to introducing more domestic and international travellers to TarraWarra and inviting them to experience our wines alongside the food, art, landscape and stories of the Estate.”
TarraWarra Estate joins fellow UWEA member Chandon in the Yarra Valley, strengthening the collective’s presence in a region renowned for its cool-climate wines, regional produce and rolling vineyard landscapes.
The two wineries offer distinct but complementary perspectives on the Yarra Valley. Chandon takes visitors into the world of méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine, while TarraWarra showcases the region through still cool-climate wines, vineyard experiences, seasonal dining and art. Together, they broaden the ways visitors can experience one of Victoria’s most celebrated wine regions.
TarraWarra Estate is located at 311 Healesville-Yarra Glen Road, Yarra Glen. The cellar door is open Tuesday to Sunday, with the restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch.
