| A few weeks ago, I had a month-long vacation in | | | | district that began making wine in the late 19th |
| Australia, mostly in Melbourne. It was my third trip to | | | | century. Its cool climate and rich soil are ideal for |
| this city and the best one yet. It seems like every | | | | producing dry red wine, chardonnays and pinot noirs. |
| time I visit Melbourne, I always discover something | | | | Among the excellent small wineries are Yeringberg, |
| new and this time, it was the excellent wineries in | | | | Yarra Yering, St. Hubert's, Seville Estate and |
| the area. I was virtually raving to my friends about all | | | | Coldstream Hills. |
| the fine wines I had tasted on my visit. Hence, at | | | | Sample the offerings of wineries such as de Bortoli, |
| their urging, I am writing this traveler's guide to | | | | Yarra Yering and Domaine Chandon (sparkling wines). |
| Melbourne, with a special eye on its delightful wine. | | | | You can have lunch at one of the wineries and spend |
| Firstly, on any visit to Melbourne, I strongly suggest | | | | the night in the area where there are a number of |
| that first-time visitors take a day or two to explore | | | | first-class hotels with luxurious accommodations. |
| this magnificent city. Among all of Australia's major | | | | On your second day, begin with a hefty breakfast |
| cities, this is the one that will likely have that special | | | | (Yarra Valley offers the popular option of having |
| attraction to even the most jaded, well-traveled and | | | | breakfast on a hot air balloon as you cruise the sky, |
| world-weary tourist. As the locals say, Melbourne can | | | | interested?) before heading to Healesville Sanctuary |
| mean different things to different people. It may | | | | to view the indigenous koalas, kangaroos, wallabies |
| seem foreign at first but there is always something | | | | and platypus. A little way further will take you to the |
| that is strangely familiar and which, on some level, | | | | Mornington Peninsula and its 30 wineries. There are |
| reminds the globe-trotting visitor of home. I guess | | | | excellent accommodations in the area for an |
| that's why they call Melbourne a chameleon city. | | | | overnight stay. |
| Melbourne is a city of diverse cultures and remarkable | | | | On your third day, have breakfast and taste the |
| contrasts. Here, different groups have learned to | | | | wine at Karina Vineyard then head to Dromana |
| co-exist comfortably with one another. For instance, | | | | Estate for lunch and more wine tasting. The |
| the Italian neighborhood and the Chinese | | | | combination of the sea, cool climate and the area's |
| neighborhood, which are side by side. | | | | excellent volcanic soil all contribute to the production |
| Whether your lifestyle is beachside or bohemian, | | | | of exquisite chardonnay and pinot noir. Spend the |
| Melbourne has something that will appeal to you, be it | | | | night in the vicinity. |
| the food, wine, art, style, customs, nightlife, | | | | On your fourth day, with your wine tasting tour |
| businesses or beliefs. | | | | over, you may want to ride the ferry to Queenscliff |
| Once you're ready to start your wine tour, the place | | | | for a tour of the Great Ocean Road before heading |
| to begin is the Yarra Valley, a prime wine-growing | | | | back to Melbourne. |