Point Leo Estate, Stones Yarra Valley hit with cancellations after Covid outbreak
Covid panic has left venues in Victoria’s winery regions in the lurch with operators urging customers not to cancel bookings.
South East
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Frustrated operators say panicked customers are cancelling bookings because of “confusing and poorly communicated” Covid restrictions.
Popular wineries and wedding venues on the Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley were inundated with cancellations on Tuesday after the State Government announced limits on gatherings and the return of masks indoors.
Public gatherings are now limited to 30 people and the number of people meeting in the home has been capped at five per day.
While there are no changes to the rules for hospitality venues, customers have been swift to change their plans.
Stones of the Yarra Valley managing director Steve Frazer said the wedding and restaurant venue had lost 60 per cent of their dinner trade on Tuesday night, while a private Friday night dinner for 90 had been cancelled.
“We’re not starting to see cancellations for Saturday night as well. Sunday is OK for now but that might roll though the same process in the next 24 hours,” Mr Frazer said.
Weekend weddings at the venue are still going ahead but customers are concerned about having to wear masks throughout.
“The real problem here is the way the restrictions were rolled out. It was confusing and poorly communicated,” Mr Frazer said.
“I can understand why customers thought they couldn’t come for a meal under the gathering caps.”
Morning Peninsula premier fine dining venue Point Leo Estate was also hit with cancellations.
“The phone started ringing straight away,” general manager Roger Lancia said.
“Customers were panicking about their bookings and we had two events cancelled right off the bat.
“We lost a corporate event planned for 60 people on Friday, and another booked for 70 on Monday.”
Mr Lancia said coronavirus fatigue had kicked in and people weren’t prepared to
“wait and see”.
“They don’t want to risk missing out on refunds and are particularly sensitive about events involving interstate guests.
“I think they are also worried that this latest round of restrictions will lead to another lockdown.”
Despite the panic Mr Lancia said Point Leo Estate had all the necessary measures in place to keep visitors safe.
“We are still limiting our numbers in the dining areas so people have the luxury of space.
“And every customer, whether they be here for a sculpture walk, to a glass of wine and a meal at Laura are checked in.
“We’ve had a full-time staff member concentrating on that since the check ins were introduced.
“The message to our customers would be to please trust us and honour your bookings.”
Meanwhile the Mornington Peninsula Vigneron’s Association was quick to reassure ticket holders that it was “business as usual” for the region’s upcoming Winter Wine Weekend at Red Hill Showgrounds.
“We’re prepared for anything,” Olivia Barrie said.
“We’re still able to go ahead under the current restrictions and we’re a Tier 3 event which isn’t affected as yet.”
Ms Barrie said the June 12-13 event was planned with Covid-safe measures in mind and had a “double layer of security”.
“All our tickets are pre-sale this year, we won’t have any on the door. This helps with planning and contact tracing,” she said.
“There will also be QR code check ins.”
The main attraction is a wine festival on the Saturday which involves 45 Mornington Peninsula wineries showcasing more than 200 premium wines in one location.
Tickets are limited to 900 and those attending will be split into three groups. They will be required to stay within their group for timed visits to three subregional experienced housed in separate sheds at the showgrounds.
Each shed will also host two restaurants which will provide entree sized dishes.
A long lunch designed to highlight smaller wineries without a cellar door will be held at the showgrounds on the Sunday.
