CELLAR DOOR
Returning in 2026, but bigger and better, the Meet Your Maker – Cellar Door welcomes more wineries, more wines, more memories.
This is the Comedy in the Vines signature wine bar, where some of the very best winemakers in the world will be pouring their own drops direct into your glass.
Throughout the weekend, festivalgoers can enjoy exclusive tastings, masterclasses and cellar door experiences hosted by more than 20 of the region’s best winemakers.
Yarra Valley WINE REGION
The Yarra Valley, located just east of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia, is one of the country’s premier wine regions, known for its cool climate and diverse terroir. It is home to a vibrant community of wine producers ranging from historic, family-owned estates to cutting-edge boutique wineries.
AIRLIE BANK WINES
Airlie Bank Wines is where the Punt Road Wines team has permission to play. Made with fruit grown on the family-owned Coldstream estate in the Yarra Valley, the range is fresh, vibrant and experimental, delivering cool-climate wines with character, brightness and genuine drinkability.
Led by winemaker Jarrod Johnson, Airlie Bank reflects a lively approach to winemaking. The vineyard and winery are certified through Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, reflecting an ongoing commitment to measured environmental improvement and responsible stewardship of the estate. These are wines made for good food, good company and relaxed enjoyment.
BALGOWNIE ESTATE
Balgownie Estate is a premier Yarra Valley destination, offering 70 rooms and suites, an award-winning restaurant, and a welcoming cellar door. Open seven days a week, it’s the perfect place to wine, dine, stay and experience the Yarra Valley.
DE BORTOLI
De Bortoli Wines is one of Australia’s largest family-owned wine producers, founded in 1928 by the De Bortoli family. While the winery began in the Riverina, the family expanded into the Yarra Valley to focus on premium cool climate wines such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Although De Bortoli is one of Australia’s largest wine producers, the Yarra Valley estate has remained intentionally warm, personal, and experience-driven. Guests often spend an entire afternoon at the property enjoying wine, long lunches, and the relaxed atmosphere rather than simply stopping in for a quick tasting.
Today, the Yarra Valley estate remains deeply family-led, with fourth generation winemaker Kate Webber continuing the family legacy alongside acclaimed winemaker Steve Webber, recipient of the prestigious Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy. The estate is overseen by Leanne De Bortoli, third generation family member, whose passion for warm hospitality and authentic experiences continues to shape the venue today.
DENTON VIEW HILL
Granite-boned and steep-sloped, Denton View Hill rises defiantly from the Yarra Valley floor – an outlier, geologically and in attitude. Planted in 1997, this unforgiving site turns out Nebbiolo, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and more.
Under the stewardship of the Bishop family, with Kirilly Gordon in the winery and Julian Parrott in the vineyard, the farming and winemaking are progressive yet restrained, and site-led.
The Bishop fam calls the site home, and our small, slightly unhinged, hands-on crew runs on blind optimism, caffeine and the rhythm of the vineyard
JAYDEN ONG WINES
Jayden Ong is a first-generation winemaker in the Yarra Valley, known for his organic vineyards, minimal-intervention wines, and award-winning hospitality. His four distinct wine ranges—crafted from high-altitude vineyards on Mount Toolebewong—showcase purity, place, and precision. At his stylish Winery & Cellar Bar in Healesville, guests enjoy seasonal dishes alongside his acclaimed wines.
MAC FORBES
Mac Forbes was born and raised in Victoria’s Yarra Valley. Born in the 70’s, he grew up when the modern history of the Yarra Valley was commencing. Today he’s travelled the full circle to be a part of the next generation responsible for injecting renewed vision and vigour into the Valley.
Growing up surrounded by grapes did not necessarily translate to an innate worldliness about wine. But growing up in the Forbes house developed Mac’s love for sitting around the kitchen table with a glass in hand, enjoying the local produce and chewing the fat.
SANTOLIN WINES
Adrian and Rebecca Santolin are the husband-and-wife team behind Santolin Wines in the Yarra Valley. After years working at other wineries, they decided in 2012 to throw caution to the wind. Against all advice, they poured their house deposit into one barrel, one tank and two tonnes of pinot noir and started doing things their way. Since then, they’ve built a cult following for their small-batch, minimal intervention wines. Adrian makes the wine, Rebecca runs the business,and together they’ve collected a stack of local and international awards along the way. Expect seriously good wines, classic varieties done exceptionally well and a few delicious Italian curveballs.
ST HUBERT’S
Established in 1862 as one of the first wineries in Victoria’s Yarra Valley, we have always embraced a pioneering spirit. St Hubert’s has helped position the region as a premium wine producing area and was a champion of the Yarra Valleys wine renaissance in the 1960’s.
In 2022 we relaunched our new contemporary cellar door and Notes retail wine shop and look forward to welcoming you for tasting seven days a week.
St Hubert’s has a long history of producing outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon and today continues to be lauded for its portfolio of cool climate wines which also include Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With increased vigour and excitement, we have launched seven new wines including Sparkling Rose, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Meunier and a new tier of reserve wines!
Local cheese and Charcuterie are available to accompany a tasting, or simply walk -in for a glass overlooking the vineyard.
SUTHERLAND ESTATE
Sutherland Estate has one of the most spectacular vineyard sites in Australia. On high ground at the southern edge of the Great Divide, the cathedral-ceilinged cellar door and large outside deck command impressive views down the Yarra Valley and far into the distance. Birdsong fills the air, and the highway seems far away. The Spanish-origin Tempranillo planted here, a rarity in the district, shows great promise.
TILLIE J WINES
Natillie Johnston, known as Tillie J, is a Yarra Valley viticulturist and winemaker behind Tillie J Wines. A four-time finalist in the Young Gun of Wine Awards Top 50, she also won the People’s Choice Award in 2023.
Tillie began her wine journey working in Yarra Valley cellar doors before completing her first harvest at Coldstream Hillsin 2012. She later studied winemaking and viticulture at the University of Melbourne and gained experience across leading wine regions in Australia, the USA, Canada, Germany and New Zealand.
In 2019, Tillie launched Tillie J Wines through the inaugural Young Winemakers program at No.7 Healesville. Her debut 2019 Yarra Valley Pinot Noir received 95 points in the Halliday Wine Companion, helping establish the label as one to watch.
Known for crafting expressive cool-climate wines with authenticity and energy, Tillie continues to build a strong reputation as both a winemaker and viticulturist. Happy Days!
TOKAR ESTATE WINERY
Nestled in the heart of the Yarra Valley, Tokar Estate is a family-owned winery known for its award-winning wines, warm hospitality, and Mediterranean-inspired restaurant. Established by Leon and Rita Tokar, the estate was among the first in the region to plant Tempranillo, now a signature varietal. With sustainably managed vineyards, a renowned cellar door, and luxurious on-site accommodation, Tokar Estate offers an unforgettable wine and food experience.
YARRA YERING
Yarra Yering is one of Australia’s most iconic wineries, established in 1969 in Victoria’s Yarra Valley. Renowned for its distinctive, age-worthy wines, Yarra Yering combines traditional winemaking techniques with thoughtful innovation and a deep respect for terroir. Under the expert guidance of winemaker Sarah Crowe, the dry-grown, 29-hectare vineyard produces critically acclaimed blends and single varietals, including the flagship Dry Red Wine No. 1. As a certified member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, Yarra Yering is deeply committed to environmental stewardship, ensuring that this remarkable site thrives for generations to come.
YERING FARM WINES
Yering Farm Wines is a well established, small, family owned and operated winery specializing in limited release, boutique wines of distinction.
Owner and winemaker Alan Johns began planting his 30 acre vineyard in 1989 on the site of the original Yeringa Vineyards of the 1890’s. The Yering Farm vineyard is part of the larger Johns’ family orchards, which for many decades provided fresh fruit Australia wide from the once 200 acre property. Alan’s history of working in the family orchard provided a solid background for his move into viticulture. From budburst to bottling, Alan still controls every stage of production, but now with his sons alongside. Producing only 6,000 cases per year from the estate vineyard, Alan’s focus is on quality; handcrafting complex, balanced wines that reflect true varietal characteristics and the Yarra Valley. The family orchard now bears the fruit for their Farmyard Cider. Blending both practices, sharing the knowledge and techniques of wine making and farming to produce a unique Cider from their apples.
WARRAMATE
Warramate Wines is a small, independently owned vineyard in Victoria’s Yarra Valley. It was established in 1970 on a spectacular north-facing slope overlooking the central Yarra Valley.