In 1837 brothers William, Donald and James Ryrie, accompanied by four convict stockmen, set out from Monaro in NSW driving 250 head of stock eventually arriving in the Yarra Valley where they settled at the current location of Yering, the aboriginal name for the area.
Significantly for the future of the Yarra Valley, accompanying the Ryries were vine cuttings which were planted at Yering and resulted in Victoria’s first vintage in 1845.
The original house remains intact in plan form although some alterations have occurred over the years to individual rooms.
By 1850 over an acre of vines was in full production and when Paul de Castella called to discuss the purchase of Yering Station, Donald Ryrie was able to welcome him with his own wine labelled with ironic overstatement as “Chateau Yering”.
After purchasing the property de Castella contracted the services of Samuel de Pury, one of a large group of immigrants originating from around Neuchatel in Switzerland, to assist in a significant expansion in the vineyard.
Today Chateau Yering Historic House Hotel is a gracious five star luxury hotel with period fittings throughout, offering luxury accommodation, service and dining.
It is not difficult to understand why this hotel has been accepted into the prestigious international “Relais and Chateaux” association.
Victoria