During a recent trip to Australia, we had the pleasure of doing a special tasting with James at…read moreGiant Steps. As a fan of Pinot Noir and liking Chardonnay that is not heavily oaked, I loved all of the wines. We were treated to 3 single-vineyard tastes each of both varietals. We ended up taking back a whole mixed case to California. Thank you, James!

I've been a fan of Giant Steps since they first started making wine over 11 years ago, long before…read morethey created this terrific cellar door experience. These kids are clever. They know how to make delicious wine and have two ranges pitched at slightly different markets - The IB range pitched slightly younger or for what I like to call "Tuesday night drinking" and the Giant Steps which is high end, special drinking and what I like to call "stash it away for later" kind of wine. Each range offers terrific value and you can try both when you visit the cellar door, though the GS tasting will set you back a tasting fee of $10. On top of great wine, these kids know how to cook (pizza, shared-dishes) and know that to keep people happy you should keep them fulfilled with coffee (they roast their own), cheese (the have an amazing selection) and sweet treats (check out their take-home cake and pastry section). It's a massive venue, but don't go assuming you can just rock up unannounced. Giant Steps is hugely popular, particularly on weekends, so do yourself and your hungry family a favour and make a reservation well ahead of arriving.

Some days you just have to follow the sunshine, get off the beaten track and see where you land…read more Hopefully you find yourself here at The Daylesford Cidery's The Tavern. What started off as "we'll stop for 1 drink and then go climb a mountain' turned into a lazy 3hr Sunday session. Which only ended because we really had to get home. The staff here are amazingly friendly and helpful. They really know their cider and have a delicious range of locally sourced produce available. Start off with a tasting before you buy a bottle or two. With four distinct varieties it's best to try before you buy. The Tavern area itself is a quaint barn/church hall style building. Big comfy couches, warming rugs and a lot of blue stone. The outdoor area has half a dozen tables and a pizza oven. As well as two very friendly dogs. We'll be back again in winter to sit by the wood fire and drink our cares away.

Perfect spot for a chilled out cider by the fire. Met the new owners, British Claire and her Aussie…read moreboyfriend Macky who makes the cider. The surrounds remind me of many English pubs I've visited in the Cotswolds. Claire served us simple but fresh, tasty and local soups she made (spiced pumpkin and chicken&leek), coupled with handmade soughdough bread. Macky built us a fire and chatted about the 18 different varieties of apples used in the 4 different ciders they produce on site. Just brilliant - go!!!

I'm glad we decided it to take the tram across town to this brewpub. The beer listings were…read moreplentiful with great varied choices of their own beer and that of guest taps. Pizza is the main thing mostly on the menu, and we were delighted about the pizza we ordered. The fillings were plentiful and the crushed was nice and chewy. This is a small taproom setting, but it felt very comfortable and the bartender were all very helpful and nice.

Great craft beers in a comfy setting in South Melbourne. The Electric Socks Pale Ale was crisp and…read morehoppy, and the Red Roo IPA was full and fruity. Get the tasting board and try a bunch.

Fantastic light ambience, terrific service by Hannah and Nick, and delicious crunchy hot chips,…read moreburgers , steaks and pizzas. Great for families, groups and even just a couple for a lazy afternoon. Tours occur on both Saturday and Sunday at 3:00 sharp.

One thing is for sure, Stomping Ground has definitely improved since they first opened…read more I first checked them out when they just had opened up, and I couldn't believe it, but I was disappointed. In the beer options and the choice of food available. Nothing said this is a place for craft beer. Lucky thing that since then, the times have changed. Stomping Ground grew up and learned how to 'Walk this Way.' On my most recent visit, I was flabbergasted to look over the menu. Wow now there are food options that are perfect to compliment their tasty beer. And which beer you may think? That's okay, they have two pre-set paddle choices. One for a beer snob, the other for a beer-beginner. Both provide you with a good introduction to the beers of Stomping Ground. It's always been a great space. It's open, there are shared tables and a high ceiling- giving you those industrial feels. There's also bar side, with even more tables under a glass ceiling- it opens up during summer time and is the place to go and enjoy the beer and the atmosphere. And (if this applies to you) there's a play house area for the kiddies to muck around. The owners are the guys who put on GABS -so they know a thing or two about beer. You should also check out their St. Kilda pub, The Local Taphouse.

This is your new favourite brewery! This local little secret is a cosy little brewery tucked away…read morein Ferntree Gully brewing delicious beers! Specialising in Belgium style Sour Beers with the option of adding their homemade fruit syrups...Even non-beer drinkers love their beer :) The owners/brewers are all lovely, welcoming and make the place an extra special experience! Definitely head down for some lovely fresh craft beer!!!

This is a great microbrewery with an awesome range of beers on tap. Quiet enough to chill, but…read morerowdy enough for a laugh. I'd recommend it for a chilled evening with good mates.

The beers are fantastic- I had the festbier and my husband had the box 54 golden ale…read more The food is average but the atmosphere is worth the visit alone!

A simply amazing venue with great staff, great food, wine and beer, value plus for money, a golf…read morecart service to car and just an overall great atmosphere that is a must see! Book an old stable kick back and enjoy! BTW the chips are sensational and the wings ever so spicy, great mineral water too and all ever so well priced! All they need is chopper rides to town.

Well, this was quite a pleasant surprise, particularly since I did happen to have some time to kill…read moreup in Croydon. Well, visiting the local brewery was definitely going to be on the cards, especially since I discovered that it was just a short trip from the railway station. Well, that short trip certainly turned out to be for the best because I have to say that this brewery was awesome. Not only did they happen to have some great staff, but the beers were great. In fact, they went beyond great. Yep, this is definitely a place I would recommend checking out.

Great ambiance with easy parking. Great staff, delicious food and top notch beers. Highly recommend…read morepopping on down with your crew. Gorgeous open fire too

Only a few months old at time of writing, Napoleone Ciderhouse seemingly sprung up from nowhere -…read moredespite frequent visits to the Valley it simply wasn't on my radar. We were headed to Punt Road Wines to sample some Napoleone Cider, so you can imagine our surprise to find they've spun off with a great place of their own next door. We must have been the last to find out about this place though, as it was packed on a pretty dreary and rainy summer weekday for lunch. We had just eaten (and cursed ourselves for that!) but set up at the bar with a tasting paddle - important to note they do many delicious beers as well as their fantastically crisp and dry ciders. Will become a must-stop for every future trip out to the Valley I'd say!

Tired of just wine tasting in the Yarra Valley? Then you have to check out Naoleone Brewery and…read moreCiderhouse where you can do both cIder and beer tasting. Good variety to try and definitely some very different tastes. Didn't try the food at the restaurant but I'd hazard that it would be delish.