Cheese + Chill

The best part of Cheese + Chill is the setting. You sit on the cellar-door terrace with a cheeseboard in front of you, wine in your glass, vines beyond the property, and Cocoparra National Park in the distance. This is not a rushed tasting at a counter. It is a slow afternoon built around good views and easy conversation.

I like the choice of up to six wines, since you can shape the tasting around your own interests. I also like the shared local cheeseboard, which gives the wine something useful to work against rather than leaving you with a row of empty glasses. The main consideration is that terrace seating is outdoors, so the experience depends a little on the weather.

Key points to know before booking

• Up to six wines: Choose from Yarran’s range, including Durif, Pinot Grigio, and the newer Montepulciano Pet Nat.
• Cheese for the table: One cheeseboard is provided for every two people, with local produce included.
• Private group format: The experience is designed for your own group of up to 10 people, making it a good fit for couples, families, and friends.
• A view-led tasting: The terrace looks across the vines toward Cocoparra National Park.
• Non-drinkers can join: List everyone in your booking, including anyone who will not be drinking wine.
• Short and relaxed: Allow about 90 minutes, with the session beginning and ending at Yarran Cellar Door.

Arriving at Yarran Cellar Door near Yenda

Yarran Wines is at 178 Myall Park Road, Yenda, in New South Wales’ Riverina region. The experience starts and finishes at the cellar door, so you do not need to coordinate transport between several stops.

The arrival sets the tone. You are greeted at the cellar door, shown toward the tasting area, and given time to settle in rather than being pushed straight through a formal presentation. The tasting room opens onto a broad deck, and that outdoor space is a major part of the appeal.

You should dress for the conditions. The terrace tables are outside, and a sunny Riverina afternoon can feel very different from a cool June visit. The provided details do not promise indoor seating for this activity, so bring clothing that suits the forecast and be ready for an alfresco tasting.

The setting gives the visit a sense of place. You are not simply sampling bottles in an anonymous room. The vines are close by, and the view toward Cocoparra National Park helps you connect the wine with the country around Yarran.

The first pour: getting to know the Riverina range

The tasting includes a friendly introduction to up to six wines of your choice. That wording matters. You are not locked into a fixed flight with styles you may already know you dislike. You can ask to focus on whites, reds, sparkling styles, or a mixture of the cellar door’s current range.

Yarran’s flagship styles include Durif and Pinot Grigio. Durif is the obvious choice if you want to explore a fuller red with a strong regional identity. Pinot Grigio gives you a lighter alternative, useful for a warm afternoon or for anyone who prefers a crisp white.

The Montepulciano Pet Nat is another interesting option. It is a recent addition to the range, so it gives you a chance to try something less expected than a standard still red or white. If you enjoy trying small-production or newer styles, ask about it during your introduction.

Your host explains the wines as you taste. Katie has guided visitors through the experience and is particularly good at making the tasting feel personal and unhurried. She has also been praised for her warm, pleasant approach, but staff availability can change, so you should not book on the assumption that a particular person will always be there.

This is a good place to ask direct questions. Which wine suits the cheese best? Which bottle is typical of Yarran? Which style is easiest for a newcomer? A small-group format gives you more room to ask those questions than a large public tasting normally allows.

Matching the wine with a shared cheeseboard

The cheeseboard is not an afterthought. It is one board for every two people, so a pair receives a board to share, while a larger group receives additional boards according to the stated ratio.

Local cheese and produce are part of the experience, and Coolamon cheeses have been included in past tastings. The exact selection can change, but you can expect the food to play a real role in the afternoon. It gives you a chance to compare how the wine changes alongside salty, creamy, or firm cheese.

Sharing also suits the mood. You can taste a wine, take a bite, and talk without the formality of a meal or the speed of a standard cellar-door flight. If you are bringing a mixed group, the board gives non-drinkers something to enjoy as well.

Keep the portion detail in mind when judging value. One board per two people is a sensible amount for a tasting, but this is not a full lunch. If you arrive hungry, you may want to plan another meal before or after the visit. The supplied information confirms local produce and cheese, but it does not promise a larger meal or a particular menu.

Sitting on the terrace with Cocoparra views

The terrace is where Cheese + Chill earns its name. Once your pours and food arrive, you can sit back rather than moving from room to room. The broad deck looks over the winery and toward Cocoparra National Park, giving you a pleasant rural outlook during the tasting.

I like that the view is part of the experience without requiring a separate walk or activity. You can enjoy the vines and park from your table, which makes the 90-minute format feel more like a proper afternoon stop than a quick retail tasting.

The trade-off is exposure to the weather. Outdoor tables are lovely in good conditions, but sun, wind, or cool temperatures can change how comfortable you feel. Check the forecast before you go, and dress with the terrace in mind. The activity information does not list a weather alternative, so practical preparation is worthwhile.

The pace should suit you if you prefer conversation over a packed schedule. There are no listed vineyard walks, cellar tours, or transport segments. The value lies in the tasting, the food, the explanation, and the view. That makes it easy to add to a day around Griffith or Yenda without giving up half a day.

What makes the private group format useful

Cheese + Chill is designed for a private group of up to 10 people. That is helpful if you are travelling with friends or family and want to taste together without being folded into an unrelated crowd.

A private format also helps with different wine preferences. One person can ask about Durif, another can try Pinot Grigio, and someone else can explore the Montepulciano Pet Nat. Since the wine selection is described as your choice, the group can build a tasting that works for several palates.

Non-drinkers are welcome, but you should list them when booking. This is important because the winery needs the correct head count, including anyone who will not be sampling alcohol. The description states a group size of up to 10 for this private option, while the overall activity has a maximum of 15 people. If your party is larger than 15, contact the winery before booking.

Please book as one group rather than making separate individual bookings. That helps the cellar door prepare the right number of boards and seats. It also avoids confusion about who belongs to your party.

Is $24.39 good value?

At $24.39 per person, the price is appealing for a 90-minute cellar-door visit. It includes up to six wine tastings, a friendly introduction, the terrace setting, and a shared cheeseboard at the rate of one board per two people.

The value is strongest if you want a relaxed regional stop rather than a technical wine course. You are paying for more than the liquid in the glasses. The food, the staff time, the setting, and the chance to sit with your own group all matter.

It is also a reasonable option for mixed groups. A non-drinker can join the outing and enjoy the cheese, produce, views, and company, although the information does not specify a reduced non-drinker price. If everyone in your party wants a substantial meal, this may feel less complete because the cheeseboard is intended for sharing and the activity lasts only about an hour and a half.

The tasting can also lead naturally into bottle shopping. Yarran has offered a $10 discount for members on each purchase, according to the experience details provided. If you plan to buy wine, ask the cellar-door team about the current membership terms before paying, since offers can change.

How the 90 minutes are likely to unfold

The exact order may vary, but the experience has a clear, simple rhythm.

You arrive at 178 Myall Park Road and check in at the cellar door. Staff settle your group at the tasting area, most likely on the terrace when conditions allow.

The wine introduction follows. You choose up to six wines from the range, with the host explaining the styles as the pours arrive. This is the time to mention preferences, allergies, or non-drinkers in your group.

The cheeseboard is served for sharing. You can taste the wines beside the local cheese and produce, compare pairings, and take your time. The food is a useful part of the tasting because it turns the session from a simple sample flight into a social pause.

The final part is unstructured in the best way. You can continue enjoying the view, revisit a favorite wine, ask questions, or look through the range. The activity ends back at the cellar door, with no separate drop-off or final meeting point.

Do not expect a tightly timed sightseeing program. There are no listed stops beyond the cellar door. If you want a guided tour of the vines or a detailed production visit, you should check with Yarran before booking, since those elements are not included in the stated format.

Who will enjoy this experience most?

I would choose Cheese + Chill for a couple wanting a gentle winery outing, a small group of friends, or a family group that includes people who drink little or no alcohol. The private format makes it easier to relax, and the shared food keeps the visit social.

It also suits wine drinkers who like variety. You can compare well-known styles such as Durif and Pinot Grigio with a newer Montepulciano Pet Nat rather than tasting only one category.

This may not be the best choice if you want a full meal, a long vineyard tour, or a formal lesson in winemaking. It is a tasting with food and views, not a full-day wine route. You should also think twice if outdoor seating will be uncomfortable in the forecast conditions.

The activity is generally suitable for most people, and confirmation is provided at booking. The important practical detail is to plan for the weather and give the winery an accurate group list.

Booking and cancellation details worth knowing

The experience is usually booked about nine days ahead, so planning roughly a week or more in advance is sensible, especially if you have a private group.

You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, and cut-off times follow local time in New South Wales.

The ticket is mobile, so you can keep the booking on your phone. The activity begins and ends at the Yarran Wines cellar door, and the listed maximum for the overall activity is 15 people.

Should you book Cheese + Chill?

Book it if you want a small-scale wine tasting with local cheese, open views, and no rush. The price is fair, the six-wine choice gives you flexibility, and the private group setup is especially useful when your party has mixed tastes.

I would make the booking with two cautions. First, treat the cheeseboard as tasting food rather than lunch. Second, check the forecast and dress for outdoor terrace seating.

For a relaxed Riverina afternoon, Yarran Wines gives you the right ingredients: regional wine, Coolamon-style local cheese, helpful staff, and a view toward Cocoparra National Park. If that sounds better than a busy schedule, this is an easy choice.

FAQ

Where does Cheese + Chill take place?

It takes place at Yarran Cellar Door, 178 Myall Park Road, Yenda, New South Wales 2681, Australia.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

How many wines are included?

You can receive a friendly tasting introduction to up to six wines of your choice from Yarran’s range.

Which Yarran wines can I try?

The listed flagship styles are Durif and Pinot Grigio. You may also be able to try the recent Montepulciano Pet Nat, along with other wines from the range.

Is food included?

Yes. A cheeseboard to share is included, with one board provided for every two people. Local produce is also part of the tasting.

Can non-drinkers join?

Yes. Non-drinkers are welcome, and you should list every attendee, including non-drinkers, when booking.

Is the experience private?

The private group option is intended for your own group of up to 10 people. The overall activity has a maximum of 15 people.

Is the seating outdoors?

The terrace tables are outdoors, so you should dress for the weather conditions.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.