A Visit To Yarra Valley Chocolaterie

Chocolate Heaven

Attention all chocolate lovers! Recently, I went to chocolate heaven. About an hour’s drive from Melbourne in the middle of wine country there is the divine Yarra Valley Chocolaterie. Why in the middle of vineyards? I don’t know, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s as good a place as any. It’s like a fairy tale vision on the horizon! Such a beautiful setting for a chocolate factory, with a mega chocolate shop and a Cafe, in the picturesque pastures of Yarra Glen, in the famous Yarra Valley Region of Victoria.

I had been out visiting a nearby winery, when on the way home I saw signs leading to this delightful detour, a place I had heard a lot about. It’s the perfect road-trip stopover. Not only is it a Chocolaterie, it’s an Ice Creamery too. Jackpot.

Here weekend drivers and daytrippers were arriving in hoards to get their fill of scrumptious chocolates and sweet delights. I couldn’t believe the crowd. I was there for research purposes only, of course. It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it. Right?

The chocolate factory

The business is owned by an Australian couple and the goods are produced mostly from Australian ingredients, sourced locally from farms and orchards. The chocolate is all house-made on the premises in the factory right here by Belgian and French chocolate crafts men and women. You can observe their creative flair from behind the large glass window from inside the store.

The chocolate shop

The store is huge, the size of a supermarket, filled to the brim with 250 different chocolate creations, lollies and other sweet treats that will make your eyes and your taste buds boggle. Tasty treats such as, rockyroad, truffles, bars, clusters, freckles, nougat, honeycombe, macarons, biscuits and heaps more. They even have bush tucker bars and boomerang chocolate and, wait for it … chocolate therapy beauty products! What the … ?

Things to do here

• You can take a chocolate class or a workshop.

• There are chocolate tastings.

• Chocolate festivals at different times of the year.

• Chocolate storytime and junior chocolate classes are held for kids.

• Taste and discover some new flavours and buy your favourite chocolates to take home.

• Grab a table at the Cafe and indulge in High Tea, Breakfast or Lunch, inside or outside on the verandah, overlooking the rural landscape. No bookings required.

• Taste and eat locally made icecreams from the gelaterie, where they have over 140 flavours in their repertoire.

• There are icecream classes.

• There is an icecream festival in February during Summer.

• You can buy containers of your favourite flavoured icecream to take home.

• And, there are 40 acres of land here for you to run around and explore, to help burn off some of the chocolate and ice cream calories you have eaten. A small band of musicians was outside playing, giving it a real festive vibe.

When I arrived, mid-afternoon on this beautiful Sunday, there was a queue at the ice creamery, literally a mile long. I didn’t even think about getting in line, otherwise I’d still be there waiting!

So I decided to head straight for the chocolate shop with my basket ready to fill, and spent my time making some important decisions – which chocolates to buy.

It’s extremely popular with all ages, as you can imagine. This couldn’t be a more perfect place to spend a couple of hours and take home a few goodies.

The chocolaterie and ice creamery is open everyday. Thank goodness for that, because as I always say, “everyday is a good day for chocolate”.

Entry and parking is free.

I’m sure you won’t leave empty-handed.

Tours I recommend for you

I hope you enjoyed my visit to the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie (obviously not as much as I did).

I would love you to leave a comment below.

See ya.