A drive into the vineyards, out of the congestion of the city and into a world that closely resembles Willy Wonka’s Chocolate factory. Let your inner child squeal.

The Yarra Valley Chocolate and Ice Creamery is a busy place. But given that, I was going there mid-week, neither on a public or school holiday, I felt like I had the best chance of getting to see the place during a lull. Alas, I was wrong.

Busload after busload of tourists just kept filing into the place. And you know what? I’m ok with that. Their wide-eyed wonderment and awe were worth  watching.

The shop has every flavour and option possible. I kept my camera clicking, as fast as it finished processing the last image. There was so much to see, to sample and to check out. I’m pretty sure that this is what a chocoholic’s heaven would look like.

Try out the free samples out the front and you won’t be disappointed. I believe that they were rich, rich beyond measure that I no longer wanted to eat anything else. Which I was grateful for.

They had stock from nearly every chocolate producing region with a write up about the place and the conditions that the cocoa beans went through.

Heck, they even had cocoa beans for sale.

I couldn’t go past the walls and walls of salted caramel flavours and my gosh. I don’t think I could have foamed at the mouth even if I tried. I think it would have been better for me to just pass out and let the paramedics get me out of there.

When my senses regained, the hunger from the long adventurous drive set in and my travelling companion J and I decided that yup, food = good.

Whilst I would love a good coffee at this stage, you don’t go travelling around the state, to come to a chocolate factory to have coffee. It’s like going to a zoo to see whales. One hot white chocolate and an O.M.G baguette ordered we enjoyed the outdoor setting for lunch.

They have a wide open outdoor space and the view of the surrounding wineries was majestic. Sprinkle in a dash of clouds and you have a photograph that you seriously had to be there to enjoy. An outdoor play area for kids was a good reminder that this place does cater for the little ones too. I know, I know – It’s a chocolate factory. I forgot, ok?

The O.M.G baguette was amazing. Pulled pork with Asian coleslaw. And yes, you need a knife to cut into it. The slices you cut are perfect little bits of heaven.

The hot chocolate? For all things holy. Wow. Just wow. They serve it with hot chocolate already in it, but you have to whisk it around (little whisk provided) to make sure it all mixed in. And if you still felt like having a diabetic induced coma, then add the extra shot in. I looked over my shoulder and lo and behold there were paramedics at the next table. I looked back contemplating. My inner child yelled at me “YOLO biatch!”.

“Meh”

And in that moment, there was a satisfying sound of the extra hot chocolate entering the mug.

Bliss.

My standard for chocolate is Toblerone, literally bought in Switzerland. I don’t care what you say, but those cows must be drinking some sort of heavenly nectar cause that was, by far, the best chocolate I have tasted in my life. Toblerone made from anywhere else, just does not do Switzerland justice. And this hot chocolate came close. I’m talking 95% close to what I had in Switzerland. So should you go? Absolutely yes. At least the Yarra Valley is a lot closer than Switzerland. But hey, if you have the cash, why not do both?

I also had to consume their brownie – the thing they are famous for. And I must admit, it was heavenly. Pure heaven.

Make sure you stop by the next time you enjoy the vineyards.

TDT: 4.0/5.0

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