Best Wine Tasting Courses In Melbourne Near Me

4worldlovers: Fine Wine Appreciation has been running for over 23 years in Melbourne, conducted by respected wine connoisseur Matthew Hansen. As a highly acclaimed professional chef and educator, Matthew’s personable style and passionate approach ensures all those with a love of fine wine will benefit from his unique and insightful perspectives.


Most importantly, Matthew is Melbourne’s only completely independent educator, and not affiliated with any specific wineries, wine merchant or makers – all wines featured in his courses are offered on merit alone. Fine Wine Appreciation does not accept industry favours, and does not sell wine to participants.


Matthew Hansen trained as an apprentice chef in Melbourne and graduated from William Angliss College in 1980. It was while working as a chef at London’s Dorchester Hotel in 1982 that Matthew developed a deep interest in wine and the importance of wine as part of a menu.

On his return to Australia, and after much study, both formal and informal, Matthew formed the ‘Tasting Circle’ at the Victorian Arts Centre in 1990 - a small and intimate group of wine appreciation enthusiasts who met weekly to discuss and enjoy fine, old and rare wines.

Matthew went on to further his study at La Trobe University, gaining his Diploma of Education in 2000, and forming ‘Fine Wine Appreciation’ in the same year. Matthew’s key objective was to offer an alternative to traditional wine education, by creating a course that was limited to only 10 participants and included a strong food component.

Some 23 years later, Matthew’s Fine Wine Appreciation course has attracted over 3,000 enrolments. Apart from his expertise both as a chef and wine connoisseur, many participants cite Matthew’s special brand of charm as key to its success, with his unique ability to engender a sparkling confidence in all attendees through his quiet, welcoming and genuinely interested manner.

In 2012 Matthew won a fellowship to study in Champagne, and was awarded the Lord Mayor’s Commendation for Outstanding Service to the City of Melbourne. In the last few years Matthew has enjoyed extending his passion abroad, touring the wine regions of France and Italy to further broaden his already extensive knowledge.

Whether as a celebration to thank clients or employees, a team or business building exercise, this is a unique experience offering your group the chance to enjoy and discuss a selection of Australia’s finest table wines.

Corporate gatherings can be held at a venue of your choice, or we can recommend one. Wines are chosen dependent on your preferences, and in conjunction with food selections. To find out more or discuss your requirements please contact us.

Our gift vouchers are a perfect gift to delight a friend or loved one with an experience they’ll not only enjoy, but remember. To purchase a gift voucher, make your selection below and follow the prompts.

For those who already enjoy drinking wine but would like to learn more.

Classes may consist of a vertical or horizontal tasting, a specific wine region or style.

Outstanding Australian producers as well as classified wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy and Sauternes. 10 places, 10 producers and a 5 course matching menu

A getting together of like minded people who share a common interest. These long lunches take place in the private room at Naughtons Hotel in leafy Parkville. 12 places, 6 wines and a 4 course matching menu.

This was a complete surprise. I was expecting a “closed door” attitude where people might judge me for being a wine rookie. But even in the advanced class the instructor was gracious and patient (although the class skips along at a decent pace so DON’T drift off into a little wine dream, leave that for later, ha!) The instructor, Matthew, is that rare kind of person who shares their knowledge but also makes time to listen to everyone at the table. I was really charmed by how he made time for everyone to share their thoughts. It was a Pinot Noir night and I was lucky enough to sit next to David from the Prince Albert Winery so yeah, there’s a chance to mingle with some real rockstars of the wine industry too. A total pleasure and I’ve already booked into a February 2019 class to try some Cabernet Sauvignon. Five stars, for sure. Five freaking gold stars.

I’ve been coming to Matthew’s tutored wine tastings for years now, enjoy them greatly, always discover something new in every class. Look forward to many more. Superb wines, excellent communication, profound knowledge and experience led by a passionate expert. Highly recommend to anyone.

4worldlovers: While it’s the valley’s cool climate that helps wineries make its wines so special, visitors have wonderful memories of their Yarra Valley wine tours no matter what time of year. From amazing blue skies and a warming sun to a patchwork of dazzling autumn leaves, the full bloom of ripe fruit on the vine or a cozy open fire with delicious wine to warm every heart, every season has a its own beauty and charm making this region of Victoria a must see!

The days can be filled with activities or not depending on your vision. Enjoy relaxing walks, unwind at one of the many day spas, or maybe get your heart pumping with an exhilarating hot air balloon ride over the vines. Or, just sit back and soak up the Yarra Valley atmosphere sipping wine and enjoying superb food and remarkable scenery – it’s all at your feet for you to decide.

All of our tours are sure to leave you with a full belly and a smile! Visit Victoria’s world-renowned Yarra Valley wineries on a day trip from Melbourne that includes many delicious tastings and a picturesque lunch by the vineyards.

You’ll tour one of our four beloved winery partners in the valley, visiting a combination of Greenstone Vineyard, Soumah of Yarra Valley, Yering Farm, and Balgownie Estate — all the while, learning about the flavours, terroir, the history and more!

Your Yarra Valley wine tour is the perfect introduction to the stunning Yarra Valley wine region, with transfers available from several selected locations in Melbourne.

Although no two winery tours are the same, here is an example of what you might expect on your day with Australian Wine Tour Co.

Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points close to many CBD hotels, booked ahead of time

A glass of wine and tea or coffee with lunch per person

(N.B.) Returns to original departure points between 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm depending on the traffic conditions each day.

Experience the spellbinding beauty of the Yarra Valley from one of our many tour locations. Once at each winery, you will experience a private tasting experience with your tour group, with no less than four varietals from each unique winery.

You’ll get to meet the winery Vigneron and/or chief winemakers, and have a walkthrough of some of their most popular bottles. And, if you’re lucky, you may even be able to have a sneak preview of some vintages yet to be released!

Some of the Top Wineries We’re Proud to Visit on our Yarra Valley Winery Tours

Our Daily Public Yarra Valley Wine Experience has an affordable price with an incredibly high-quality product that has made us the most popular winery tour from Melbourne.

Tours to the Yarra Valley region cater to everyone’s needs from wine tasting beginner to backyard sommeliers!

All our driver/guides have extensive wine industry experience as well as exceptional customer service skills. They have come from positions like growers, winemakers and sommeliers. They are passionate and enthusiastic about all things wine and are eager to share their knowledge with you.

Our wonderful tours provide a fun social environment with entertainment and education for every single one of our guests.

Are you in the market for something more private? Here at Australian Wine Tour Co. we have a range of exclusive and private tour options for you to choose from. These private wine tours are perfect for those who already have a large group of family or friends ready to go, and would prefer to spend their special tasting tour with people they know.

As with any of our tours, you will be accompanied by one of our experienced drivers, who have been perfectly selected to take you on your Yarra Valley wine tasting adventure.

These Private tours can take parties of up to 6 people per car and include the following delightful day’s activities:

Your Own Personal Friendly Wine Expert Guide with Great Local Knowledge

Victoria’s world-famous Yarra Valley wine region is located a short 45-minute drive from Melbourne’s CBD district. It is home to many old-world and some burgeoning new world wine varietals and is known the world over for its misty, crisp and classic white wines.

4worldlovers:
Armadale Cellars is an independent wine merchant based in Melbourne, Australia. We source and sell hard to find boutique Australian wines, spirits and beers and an eclectic selection of premium imports.


We are passionate about wine education and run courses, masterclasses and tastings throughout the year. Whether you are a novice or an expert, we have the course for you.

4worldlovers: For a person under the age of 18 years to purchase or receive liquor (penalty exceeds $700)

4worldlovers: Maybe its easiest to start with who and what we are not! We are not a supermarket, discount chain, lowest-common-denominator liquor outlet. In some ways we are not even a retailer who could be selling anything; tyres, widgets or beanie boos! We can only sell one thing…WINE!

What we are is an independently owned wine merchant, driven by our collective passion to source and share some of the greatest wines in the world with a similarly passionate group of punters…many of which are now friends and part of the PWS family.

There are two owners: Michael McNamara and Alex Wilcox (and their long-suffering wives) and together with 42 other committed (or perhaps should be committed) staff they run three wine retail outlets in South Melbourne and Sydney as well as a wine bar/restaurant Bellota and a wine cellarage business called Liquid Assets. In addition to this educate and have, for some years, now run the benchmark WSET qualification in Victoria and NSW and a suite of more informal courses written by the ourselves and our staff.


We import from a strong portfolio of producers from France, Italy, New Zealand and California that reflect our love of wines that are made by people who share our passion for great wine and wines that reflect their place.