Yarck: Geoff Lindsay and Paul Dimattina take over Yarck Hotel

The operators of a well-known South Melbourne watering hole are branching out in the bush. Find out where they’ve chosen and what they’re doing.

An idea to run a country pub, hatched in the dark days of Victoria’s rolling Covid-19 lockdowns, is about to spring to life for a high profile city publican duo.

Chef Geoff Lindsay and former Western Bulldogs footballer Paul Dimattina lease the well-known Lamaro’s Hotel in South Melbourne and bought the Yarck Hotel in northeast Victoria during the pandemic.

Following a major refurbishment, the Yarck Hotel will re-open this month.

“We loved the pub for what it was, but it needed to be dragged into the 21st century,” Mr Lindsay said.

“The seed was first germinated during Covid when we were all locked down.

“As soon as the ring of steel was cut down all our friends just got in the car and went anywhere in country Victoria.”

Owner-chef Geoff Lindsay and venue manager Paul Bryant toast the return of the Yarck Hotel. Picture: Zoe Phillips

He said he and Mr Dimattina had “terrific memories” of visits to the Tea Rooms at Yarck restaurant when they began their search for a country pub which had to be in one of the state’s major wine regions.

“Yarck didn’t really come up on my radar to be honest,” Mr Lindsay said.

“I really like the Royal Mail (at Dunkeld), those real destination places.

“But it has unbelievable access to the different wineries in the region.

“I was blown away by it.”

Paul Dimattina outside Lamaro’s Hotel in South Melbourne. Picture: Alex Coppel

The new owners have also purchased land surrounding the pub with future plans to build some accommodation.

Part of the redevelopment carried out by builder Craig Eury has been the doubling in size of the beer garden and creation of two private dining rooms.

“We are very excited to get involved in the local community and can’t wait to bring some great, old fashioned hospitality to the people of Yarck and surrounding areas,” Mr Dimattina said.

Manager Paul Bryant and owner-chef Geoff Lindsay outside the Yarck Hotel. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Sommelier Paul Bryant, who has also worked at Lamaro’s, is coming on board as the pub manager at Yarck with a feature being the stocking of 100 wines produced in Victoria.

“We won’t be as cheap as a lot of the other pubs,” Mr Lindsay said.

“But we will have a higher level of service.

“It won’t be a ‘parma and pot’ style of place.”