By Romy Stephens
Yarra Valley wineries are thinking of different ways to provide the cellar door experience to locals amid the Covid-19 crisis.
Rochford Wines has completely transformed its cellar door and restaurant space into a boutique grocery store where customers can get all the necessities in a clean and respectful environment.
The Rochford Grocer opened on 25 March in a bid to not only service the community but also keep the business running.
Rochford Wines owner and CEO Helmut Konecsny said the main reason for the dramatic change was not for profit but rather “to keep people in jobs.”
“We have toilet paper, we have napkins, we have pretty much a little bit of everything,” he said.
“We have meat, we have, of course, wine and everything is for the people in the region.
“So please come and help us and we will help you.”
Rochford’s retail sales manager Sophia Demos said the business hoped to help the community in a time of great need.
“We felt we could be of service to the local community and also to our food suppliers who are not able to service restaurants anymore,” she said.
“So what we’ve done is we’ve extended an existing retail space and included grocery items, essential hygiene items, fruit and vegetables and pre-prepared meats from our kitchen.
“Consequently we’re a mini grocery store in the middle of the Yarra Valley.”
Meanwhile, Warrandyte’s Rob Dolan Wines is offering customers contactless wine pick up.
The winery’s Cellar Door to Car Boot initiative sees customers phone ahead, park at the cellar door, pop open their boot and wine will be hand delivered to their car.
Rob Dolan said that despite it being a difficult time for the business, his team is staying positive and searching for new ways to keep cash flow ticking.
“You’ve got to lead from the front and try some original ideas,” he said.
“These initiatives that are coming through are fantastic.
“We want everybody to stay fit and healthy and well and use this time to do up the house, do some painting and have a wine.”
Rochford’s grocery store is open daily 10am-8pm in the Rochford Cellar Door. The winery is also offering a takeaway and delivery menu.
For more information, visit www.rochfordwines.com.au.
To find out more about Rob Dolan Wines’ Cellar Door to Car Boot initiative, contact enquiries@robdolanwines.com.au.
