domaine chandon

Nice Location, interesting layout. But that is it already.Sparkling wine tasting was a mixed experience:We paid AUD 5.00 per person for the testing (that is OK, anyway too cheap for my opinion),but wanted to try only 2 different sparkling wines. We are highly selective and did not go for the whole set of 6 different wines. This already confused the wine-tasting-operator that it took him 3 tries to get the first wine, we wanted to test, right. Wine dude got already somewhat between annoyed and unfriendly and made us wait a long time while he happily entertained the masses of Chinese tour visitors. Fighting for our place at the bar we finally managed to get the second wine in the glass. Wines are fine, ok, but when we decided to test one glass of a third wine the wine dude got completely out of control and told us his story, that if we try this one, we completely mess up our taste buds. because they have thoughtfully determined the order of wines to taste. Super unfriendly, super smarta..., super arrogant. We are wine aficionados and think that we are perfectly capable to decide which wines we want to try. Absolutely unacceptable behavior of the wine testing staff, a 100% NO NO.I asked him, what his problem is and if it is ok with him, that we do it our way. and if he thinks that his attitude is ok or not ok. i was prepared to waste time and energy and start a big fuzz. Mumbling something he finally gave us the requested wine for testing and that was it for us with wine in this Domaine.Food: After the mainly totally disappointing wine test we decided to stick on our plan and enjoy our lunch in the restaurant at site.Nice place, nice views, but the staff here seems to be totally unattached to the tasks. The restaurant was relatively empty, some big tables for groups had been prepared already, but we were a bit earlier, so a quite nice and peaceful environment, compared to the wine testing mayhem. Unfortunately it was quite a challenge to get the attention of the waitress, who preferred to tap on her cellphone. Finally we could place orders. Food quality: OK, nicely decorated, very small portions, value for money: low.(nothing on the plate, everything on the bill)In a Nutshell:if you travel individually, you should skip this place.Safe time ,money and nerves and see other vineyards.If you are member of a Chinese tour group, go for it. Feels like home!(i am living in China)Who is the owner of this Domaine to let things slip that far?If i compare this place with ALL other vineyards in the Yarra Valley we visited, i simplycan not understand the high overall ratings here.My apologies for the long review, but i think it is necessary to put things straight here.

My girlfriend and I came with another friend today on our way to Healesville Sanctuary, and we were mightily impressed. The setting is magnificent and $5 for champagne tasting is hard to beat!

Not a place to go and try wines. The tour was informative and impressive. The focus of the place is lunch. Good for short visits if on a budget.

I travel to Melbourne about 6 times per year. Which means I attend my fave winery about 6 times a year. I go with a friend, family member or sometimes take the kids and hubby. I like to sit in the glass walls of the tasting bar and order chachuterie and cheese with a few sips of the Chandon wares. I love looking out over the vineyards, its great. I love the grounds and the scenery all around it. They also sell the best champers bottle stoppers that dont pop in the fridge.

We come in as a group of 10 booked 6 weeks before for a Sunday lunch , asked for a window view to arrive and be offered a table near the door , we picked a 3 course meal option at $75 a head pork belly no crackle only skin / fat The waitress's bleeding as she handed us over the Menus when we advised she's bleeding she laughed it off with I'm A positive . Service was slow and not good memory with top ups of wine . Being Europeans we love our lattes after a meal and this is a no go zone no coffees here , to be told this is a wine region . Staff need to be quicker and much better service for the rating just hope this was a bad day

Had a beautiful lunch with spectacular views at the winery. I couldn't fault it. Would recommend booking if you want to eat as there are large groups constantly joining so then you can be assured a spot. Stunning views with amazing food and wine, as well as fantastic service from the workers there. Would recommend to anyone.

I love the views and grounds at this winery. We did the $5 tasting - where you get to sample 5 sparkling wines and if you choose to buy a bottle or few, you get your $5 back towards the purchase. You get a sheet of tasting notes and a pen so you can add your own as you go. there is a bit of a spiel from the staff at each pour, but the service is a bit hap hazard as they get distracted by continually arriving guests. I found a delightful sparkling pinot noir shiraz and even though a quick online search showed it cheaper at Dan Murphy, it is nice to buy at the cellar door. We were there late in the afternoon and after the tasting went in search of a coffee but alas they don't do them here. Instead they directed by down the road to the fabulous Oakridge winery where the coffee was excellent.

The place was very busy and we had to wait around 10mins to get access to the tasting table. Was worth the wait though and the wine waiters were very knowledgeable - it was at times hard to hear what he was telling us due to the room noise. Tastings were $5pp and this comes off the cost of any wine you buy.

This winery is very much over rated. Nice selection of sparkling for tasting however staff are not overly enthusiastic. We kept getting bounced around between a few different staff. We had the $5 tasting option which is OK, but then when we purchased another bottle to share onsite, they refused to take $5 off the purchase (as they promote) of the bottle because we were not "taking it away". Not explained when we enquired prior. They were more interested in trying to sell us products. It's not the cost, but the principle. Setting and views are great.....my two star rating. A little pricey too. Other better wineries around the area.

A nice place to stop for lunch quite close to the Healesville Sanctuary. Good quality, interesting and well presented food and the opportunty to try several of their wines (both still and sparkling) by opting for the four (smaller) glass sampler. The only odd thing was that they do not have coffee of any kind on the menu. Desert yes, coffee no. In fact, the waitress helpfully listed a number of other establishments in the area where we could go for our after lunch coffee. Maybe it's just me but I found that all a bit bizarre. Otherwise very good.

Maybe it was our host - Tim. More likely it was the broad selection of fine wines! Seven generous tasting of this world class wine maker! Following nearly an hour of tasting and discussing wines - from the lovely Vintage Brut 2010 to a truly spectacular Sparkling Pinot Shiraz we loved lunching on the Assiette of Dips served with some of the finest bread we can recall!Jeff and Donna WhiteRadnor, PA, USA

We wished we had more time, the tastings were great and cheap $5 for 6 tastes and if you purchased, you got the $5 off your bottle price and the sales prices were quite reasonable. Because we arrived late arvo we didn't have a lot of time there, but wished we had. I could have easily spent the gorgeous afternoon weather sitting by the grape vines, sipping on a sauvignon blanc.

If you like the bubbly and not sure which to buy and/or just want a taste this is a great stop. The servers know the product and are very helpful.

We have been visiting the Domaine Chandon Estate every time that we visit Melbourne for years. We were there again to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary and had a wonderful lunch - the mez-meat platter and a bottle of Cuvee Riche sitting in the sun on the patio overlooking the vineyard. Total enjoyment.....I proposed to my darling husband 10 years ago over a bottle of Cuvee Riche and we are addicted to its drinkable flavours. We'll be back next time knowing that it alway please......

We arrived here whilst heading towards Healesville and only made a brief stop, mainly to allow our children to have a run around. We did however, pay for a tasting. The wines covered a good variety, and it is always a nice treat to be able to taste sparkling varietals; however the service (as mentioned in other posts) was brusque and included mentioning that the varietals enjoyed by those tasting were like drinking mineral turpentine.