A family-friendly vineyard in Coldstream providing a youngsters menu, excessive chairs and lawns to roam.
For those who’re planning a Yarra Valley day journey with the youngsters, Rochford Vineyard is a kind of spots that retains each adults and youngsters glad. We go to on a crisp, sunny day with our two youngsters, and it turns into a soothing afternoon stuffed with good meals, recent air, and some sudden family-friendly touches.
Particular provide: Youngsters eat free in the course of the September Faculty Holidays in Rochford Vineyard’s Isabella’s Restaurant!
Rochford Wines: Our Household’s First Impression
Rochford Vineyard sits proper within the coronary heart of the Yarra Valley, simply an hour’s drive from Melbourne. The second we arrive, we’re greeted by sweeping winery views, open inexperienced lawns, and that unmistakable Yarra Valley calm.
The youngsters make a beeline for the vast outside area, whereas we take a second to take in the surroundings and breathe within the recent spring air.
The restaurant is big however is split right into a bar, cafe and restaurant. All of the home windows are floor-to-ceiling and provide panoramic views of the vineyards and the encircling countryside. Ask for a window spot when you can!
At lunch time Isabella’s provides an a la carte menu cut up into ‘small’ ‘medium’ ‘giant’ and ‘huge’ dishes.
The youngsters are made to really feel welcome right away with exercise sheets and colored pencils, which retains them fortunately entertained.
Their menu is a winner too, with beneficiant $15 meals like fish and chips, a hen tenderloin burger, candy chilli hen strips, and pasta with Napoli sauce. To complete, there are kid-friendly desserts together with vanilla ice cream, mango sorbet, and churros — an prompt hit.
The employees are effectively used to households visiting the restaurant, and they’re nice about bringing their meals out rapidly so that they don’t get stressed.
A Heat Welcome at Isabella’s Restaurant
On chilly days, Isabella’s Restaurant is strictly the place you wish to be. The open fireplace crackles away, making the entire area really feel cosy and alluring.
For the grownups, the menu created by Govt Chef Ramiz Shaikh is all about warming consolation meals this time of 12 months. We go all in with three programs. My husband begins with the hen truffle terrine whereas I’ve the pressed breast of lamb, adopted by the 16-hour slow-cooked beef shoulder for him and the confit Aylesbury duck leg for me.
Every dish is fantastically offered and bursting with flavour. I pair mine with a glass of Rochford Property Chardonnay — clean, crisp, and the proper match.
We even deal with ourselves to dessert: pannacotta for me, and a wealthy chocolate cake for him. By the tip, we each agree it is without doubt one of the most satisfying vineyard meals we’ve had shortly — and the youngsters are nonetheless fortunately content material with their meals and actions.
There are many vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free choices too, which makes it simpler whenever you’re eating with completely different dietary wants.
Cellar Door and Mulled Wine Tastings
Whereas the youngsters get pleasure from a while exterior (with certainly one of us maintaining watch, after all), we take turns popping into the Cellar Door. That is the place you’ll be able to pattern Rochford’s wines, discover their vary of gins and whiskies from the brand new Spirit Bar, and – when you’re visiting on a weekend – get pleasure from a mulled wine tasting.
It’s the proper winter deal with and an effective way to heat up earlier than heading again exterior.
Loads of House for Households
One of many issues we love most about Rochford Vineyard is the open area across the vineyard.
There’s room for teenagers to run off some vitality between programs, and the views throughout the vines are a wonderful backdrop for a household stroll. Sitting exterior with a espresso whereas the youngsters play is bliss on sunny days.
A Vineyard for All Seasons
Rochford Wines has round 60 acres below vines and three winery websites, together with the House Winery and Briarty Highway Winery. Chief Winemaker Kaspar Hermann says the 2025 harvest has produced distinctive fruit, which implies the wines on provide proper now are particularly good.
Whereas winter brings roaring fires and hearty meals, summer time is all about sitting exterior, having fun with the sunshine, and watching the youngsters play on the lawns. Both manner, it’s a straightforward, family-friendly escape from Melbourne.
Why Rochford Vineyard Works for Households
- Near Melbourne – simply an hour’s drive
- Child-friendly menus alongside top-quality eating for adults
- Exercise sheets and pencils on arrival
- Loads of area for youngsters to play safely
- Indoor and outside seating to go well with the climate
- A relaxed ambiance that welcomes households
- Particular provide: Youngsters eat free in the course of the September Faculty Holidays in Rochford Vineyard’s Isabella’s Restaurant!
Our Ideas
Ask for a window seat! For those who’re visiting in winter, e-book a desk at Isabella’s seated by the hearth. Time your lunch so you’ll be able to get pleasure from a mulled wine tasting afterwards – it’s an effective way to finish your go to earlier than heading dwelling. I like mulled wine because it’s decrease in alcohol, but splendidly cosy and warming.
Rochford Vineyard proves you don’t have to decide on between a connoisseur day trip and maintaining the youngsters glad – you’ll be able to have each.
The Yarra Valley is without doubt one of the favorite locations for Melburnians in quest of a rustic drive. I all the time like to mix a day journey there with a scrumptious lengthy lunch.
Issues to do earlier than or after your cease at Rochford Vineyard embody Healesville Sanctuary, and CherryHill Orchards (seasonal). And when you’re staying the night time, Yarra Valley Big4 is our prime choose.
