Argyles latest venture

By Kath Gannaway
ARGYLES Yarra Valley is set to celebrate a move that will see the innovative family tourism venture truly encompass the very best of everything the Yarra Valley has to offer.
It’s all about lifestyle … and making the most of opportunities.
Argyles Yarra Valley offers a choice of luxury town and country B and B-style accommodation, magnificent boutique wines, the Aveda day spa and beauty experience, café culture and, with their latest venture, a bit of fun fashion and lifestyle retail therapy.
Bruce and Janette Argyle returned to their country roots when they bought a rural property just a stone’s throw from Healesville Sanctuary.
They converted four cottages on the property to provide luxury accommodation for up to 16 people and planted a vineyard … every vine planted by hand … by them.
Last year they welcomed over 3,500 guests and produced 318 dozen, a mix of three whites and three reds.
Recently, they added Yambacoona Homestead, an historic Edwardian homestead built in 1908, to their accommodation choices.
Beautifully restored, it offers two executive suites in a magnificent setting, close to town.
To say they embraced the ‘tree change’ with gusto is an understatement.
When space became available above Healesville’s newest fashion outlet ‘Body by Dainy Sawatzky’ Janette, a massage and beauty therapist grabbed the opportunity to establish a town-based day spa.
Linked with the trendy clothing shop and on-site café, it was an inspired mix of lifestyle experiences. Just a month ago, fate provided another option; which, of course they embraced.
Offered the chance to take over the lease on the bottom floor of the main street building they have moved their Aveda skincare and therapy products with naturally derived ingredients downstairs and, gently over the next month or two, will expand the clothing range to include handbags, scarves, jewellery and other exciting lifestyle product and accessories.
The café has applied for a licence for the perfect outlet for their Argyles wine range and local beers.
“Our plan is to integrate the different aspects so people can stay with us, go to the day spa, have a meal, drink our wine and go happily home,” said Bruce.
For a peek at what Argyles has to offer, call in during their open day on Thursday, 14 April – corner of Maroondah Highway and Badger Creek Road, Healesville, or to the special wine tasting between 6pm and 9pm to celebrate the launch of the lifestyle store and the full range of Argyles Yarra Valley Wine.