Domaine Chandon

Q: Can you buy Chandon wines outside the winery?

Yes. Their range is stocked nationwide, but some cellar-door only releases are worth picking up in person.

Q: What’s the best season to visit?

Autumn and spring are ideal — mild weather, fewer crowds, and postcard-worthy vineyard colours.

Q: How long should I allow for a visit?

At least two hours for a proper tasting and lunch. Add more if you’re joining a tour or just want to relax among the vines.

There’s something about Domaine Chandon, a true icon of Victorian wine country, that hits you the moment you roll up its winding driveway in the Yarra Valley — that effortless blend of French elegance and Aussie authenticity. The light glints off rows of Estate Grown vines, magpies chatter in the distance, and that cool-climate breeze carries just a hint of ferment. Before you even reach the cellar door, you know this isn’t your average winery stop — it’s a place where sparkling wines tell stories.

The Story Behind the Sparkle

It all began in 1986 when Moët & Chandon, the storied French heritage brand, sought a new world location to extend its Traditional Method expertise. Australia’s Yarra Valley, with its cool-climate area and rolling slopes, turned out to be a perfect match.

Founded by Tony Jordan, one of the pioneers of Australian sparkling wines, Chandon became the southern hemisphere’s answer to Champagne — a laboratory for innovation and finesse. Here, the same winemaking process that defines Brut Imperial and Dom Pérignon found a fresh accent, shaped by the valley’s unique microclimate and the bright acidity of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The result? Wines that combine European precision with a sunlit Australian soul. And under the guidance of Dan Buckle, Chandon’s Chief Winemaker and James Halliday Wine Companion regular, the estate continues to refine its craft with every vintage.

A Taste of Bubbles and Heritage

Driving up California Drive (yes, that’s really the name), you arrive at a slice of Napa Green certified sustainability transplanted to Australia. The winery is sleek yet welcoming — a fusion of modern architecture and natural charm that speaks to its dual heritage.

Inside, the tasting bar is buzzing with activity as guests compare Chandon Brut NV to seasonal releases. There’s a lounge bar for slower afternoons, and a panoramic restaurant that offers vineyard views so good you’ll forget to check your phone.

From Grape to Glass

Sparkling wine is just for toasts and weddings? Chandon will set you straight. Their wines are many, varied and unafraid. Every one of them has a story to tell about the land and the people who tend it.

Wine	Style	Tasting notes	Cellar door price (approx.)
Chandon Brut NV	Classic sparkling	Apple, pear, and citrus zest	$35
Chandon Blanc de Blancs	100% Chardonnay	Crisp, creamy, elegant finish	$45
Chandon Vintage Brut	Single-year expression	Brioche, hazelnut, complex layers	$55
Chandon Rosé	Pinot Noir & Chardonnay	Red berries, floral lift	$38
Chandon Cuvée Riche	Demi-sec style	Lush sweetness balanced with acidity	$42
Chandon Garden Spritz	Aperitif blend	Orange peel, spice, botanicals	$38

One of the biggest drawcards here is Chandon Garden Spritz – a homegrown gem that just took off worldwide. It’s their sparkling wine that’s been infused with a handcrafted bitter orange liqueur, using oranges from local farms in the area. Served over ice with a slice of dried orange and all that – it’s the sort of drink that turns a Sunday arvo into a bit of an art form.

Tours Tastings

Chandons Tastings & Experiences are a great fit for anyone from casual visitors to oenophiles through and through. The flagship Sparkling Journey Tour takes you well and truly behind the scenes of the production cellars, so you get to see the winemaking process up close – riddling and tirage, disgorgement and dosage – all the good stuff!

Tour options:

The Sparkling Journey Tour: That’s your deep dive into the Traditional Method and some of the cellar secrets they don’t usually share with the world.
The Chandon Vintage Flight: Get a taste of their aged and newer releases and compare them side by side – pretty cool.
Private Dining Area Experience: Have a little guided pairing for your small group – super intimate and fun.
Lounge Bar Tastings: If you’re new to the whole thing, then this is a casual introduction to the Chandon Brut NV range – no fuss.

The guides are usually cellar hands or winemakers who, if you’re lucky, will tell you all about blending options and bottle ageing – they know their stuff and are more than happy to geek out with you. Want to know about tirage yeast and how to get the texture right without losing the freshness? Ask away.

Dining With a View: The Restaurant Lounge

The panoramic restaurant at Domaine Chandon is worth a visit on its own – even if you’re not here for the tours. The menu is built around the valley’s produce, and they do nothing but use Estate Grown ingredients and locally sourced proteins. Cabernet braised beef cheeks, Yarra truffle gnocchi, desserts infused with lemon myrtle… yeah, it’s all pretty top-notch.

It’s not fancy dining, just good, solid food that happens to match perfectly with the wine they serve. The staff are always keen to suggest a pairing based on the flavours and the wine – like a Chandon Rosé to go with your duck confit or a Chandon Blanc de Blancs with your Tasmanian oysters… spot on.

And for those who need a bit of a corporate team building session or a private celebration, the Outdoor Banquet Space is a real winner – vines, views, the works.

Winery Amenities

If you’re here for a bit or you’re part of a tour, you’ll find Chandon has basically got everything you need – from easy access paths to shaded picnic lawns and a general vibe that’s designed with visitors in mind.

Facilities overview:

Of course, there’s free onsite parking (including good spots for those with mobility issues)
A few EV charging stations, just in case you’ve got a Tesla or BYD
The toilets are pretty clean, even by city standards
A wine shop and gift boutique, if you need to bring a bit of Chandon home
Group bookings are available, and the tasting areas are all wheelchair accessible
Oh, and there’s an art installation space that usually has some local exhibitions on – just another good excuse to hang around for a bit between tastings.

Events and Experiences

What really gets Chandon firing on all cylinders is its knack for hosting unforgettable gatherings. From sunset jazz sessions to wine country events and corporate retreats, the estate has built a reputation as the go-to place for wine country events in Victoria – those who are in the know know that this is the spot to be.

Seasonal highlights:

Harvest Dinners: Join the winemaking team to celebrate the vintage harvest & all the hard work that goes into making those beautiful vintages.
Twilight Tastings: Those magical evening sessions under fairy lights, it’s the perfect spot to wind down and have a glass.
Blending Workshops: You get to roll up your sleeves and create your very own cuvée – a real hands-on experience that’s a lot more fun than you might think.
Summer Lawn Sessions: Where wine tourism meets a summer festival vibe – live music, good vibes, and a cold drink in hand, what more could you want?

Every single event really captures the essence of Chandon – it’s got a classy touch, but the real key to its success is the way it brings people together – Australian sparkling wine gets centre stage, but at the end of the day, the people are the real stars of the show.

Hours of Operation

Before you head out – check out the opening hours, they do change with the seasons & the weather in the Yarra Valley can get a bit moody at times – so, summer is the time to get out and enjoy the buzz, while in the quieter winter months, the valley does tend to snooze a bit.

Season	Days	Opening hours
Summer (Dec–Feb)	Daily	10:30 am – 5:30 pm
Autumn (Mar–May)	Daily	10:30 am – 5:00 pm
Winter (Jun–Aug)	Thu–Mon	10:30 am – 4:30 pm
Spring (Sep–Nov)	Daily	10:30 am – 5:30 pm

Best time to visit? I personally love autumn, when the vines turn gold and the crowds thin out a little. Bring a jacket, though — the valley mornings can be cold enough to freeze your latte.

Getting There and Around

Just an hour’s drive from Melbourne’s CBD, Chandon is at 727 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream. The drive winds past vineyards and paddocks that smell like hay and sunshine.

How to get there:

By car: via the Eastern Freeway and Maroondah Highway.
By tour: plenty of operators combine Chandon with other Yarra icons.
By bike: 8 km from Healesville for the fit and keen.
By helicopter: available on request for special events or corporate groups.

Nearby: TarraWarra Museum of Art, Yarra Yering, and Oakridge Wines — the perfect add-ons to a Chandon day trip.

A Personal Yarn From the Vines

The first time I visited Domaine Chandon, I’d just finished a long run of Great Ocean Road tours. Dusty boots, battered hat, the works. I figured I’d earned a little indulgence, so I detoured through the Yarra on the way home.

I remember stepping onto the terrace, glass of Brut in hand, and feeling that quiet hum you only get in vineyard country — that mix of bees, wind and distant laughter. The winemaker wandered past, and we got chatting about sparkling blends. He said something that stuck: “Making good bubbles is about patience — but drinking them should never be.”

That line sums up Chandon perfectly. It’s refined without being stuffy, luxurious without trying too hard and always welcoming to travellers who turn up with curiosity and a thirst for something real.