Our journey into wine
Our story began in 2014, when Toby and Dianne fulfilled their dream of owning land on the Mornington Peninsula. One day, they stumbled across a quiet, hidden vineyard in Red Hill South—a place called Rahona Valley.
They were instantly captivated. At the time, it was one of the smallest commercial vineyards on the Peninsula. But to them, it felt full of possibility. They bought the vineyard and began their journey into wine.
Falling in Love with Sparkling Wine
What started as a weekend passion soon became a full-time mission. Toby and Dianne wanted to create exceptional sparkling wines—wines made with the traditional method, right here on the Peninsula.
Their focus was clear: to craft sparkling wines with precision, elegance, and a sense of place.
A New Chapter: The Australian Cuvée Centre
In 2020, they took the next step. They built the Australian Cuvée Centre, a modern winery in Dromana designed specifically for traditional method sparkling wine.
It’s now the home of Rahona’s winemaking and also supports other small wineries from across the Mornington Peninsula and beyond.
Meet the Winemaking Team
Rahona’s growth wouldn’t be possible without a dedicated team:
- Natalie Fryar – Our Chief Sparkling Wine Designer and one of Australia’s leading sparkling wine experts
- Alisdair Park – Our Senior Winemaker, known for his hands-on approach and attention to detail
Together, they make wines with provenance, patience, and precision.
From 3 Acres to 5-Star Wines
The original 3-acre vineyard was sold in 2022, but Rahona continues to grow.
Today, we source grapes from across the Mornington Peninsula to produce a diverse range of méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines and cool-climate table wines, including:
We also make a limited-release Abel Series, using grapes from Tasmania, offering something special for those who love to explore.
In recognition of this work, Rahona now holds a 5-star rating from the Halliday Wine Companion.
Join the Journey
At Rahona, we believe wine is more than a drink. It’s a journey—of place, of people, of process.
We invite you to share in that journey. Discover our wines, visit our cellar door, and raise a glass to the magic of sparkling wine on the Mornington Peninsula.
And watch our journey grow
Rahona embarks on a new phase with the purchase of Merricks Orchard & Vine in Merricks North. We look forward to sharing our new home with you in the near future.
Cheers.