For quite a large winery, Helen and Joey Estate is a little hard to find. It's not on the Yarra Valley's two main wine arteries (the Melba and Maroondah highways), and Google Maps directions can make it quite easy to miss the turnoff. But it is worth the U-turn to come back to the estate, because it is one of the most gorgeous estates in the valley.
There is a large cellar door and tasting room inside, but if the weather is good the best seats in the house are outside on the terrace, overlooking the vines and gently rolling hills. If the winery isn't slammed, you might get lucky enough to be able to work your way through the wines on tasting in this spot. If you'd like to nosh as you sip, you can also get snacks and charcuterie, and you can of course buy a bottle or two to enjoy in your primo location – plus a few to take home.
Like many in the Yarra Valley, the winery prides itself on its chardonnay, pinot noir and sparkling varietals, and these come in a range of price points. For those who like things a bit funkier, Helen and Joey Estate offers its Wild Child range – boundary-pushing drops that defy categorisation. They are the result of experimentation and the winemaker's imagination, and they are bang on trend of funky, low-intervention, skin contact and interesting.