About Us
Welcome to Rahona Valley, the ultimate destination for lovers of sparkling wines in the breathtaking Mornington Peninsula region. Our story is one of passion and dedication to the art of crafting exceptional sparkling and cool climate wines. And we can’t wait to share our enthusiasm with you.
Our points of difference
Every bottle we craft requires Precision, Patience and Provence – and here’s why:
Precision
Firstly, sparkling wine is the most technically difficult of all wine to produce, requiring specialist knowledge, expertise and equipment. But, it is this investment that makes the difference in our wines. Try them for yourself and taste the difference.
Patience
Next its all about patience. All our sparkling wines are made using traditional method techniques, the same as used in Champagne, and as such, each bottle takes over 3 years to craft. But, in the end, the wait is definitely worth it.
Provenance
Finally it is the provenance of our grapes that makes the difference in every bottle. The maritime cool climate of the Mornington Peninsula is ideal for crafting sparkling wines. From our humble beginnings we have grown to sourcing from 6 premium vineyards the across the Peninsula. With each providing a unique terroir.
Our journey into wine
Sparkling Beginnings on the Mornington Peninsula
In 2014, Toby and Dianne took ownership of Rahona — a small, secluded vineyard in Red Hill South — and began shaping its next chapter. They discovered the property by chance, and immediately recognised its potential. At the time, it was one of the Peninsula’s smallest commercial producers — modest in scale, yet full of possibility.
From the outset, the vision was clear: to craft méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines of precision, depth, and regional expression.
This ambition, in turn, led to the establishment of the Australian Cuvée Centre in Dromana — a purpose-built facility dedicated to sparkling wine. Developed under the guidance of acclaimed sparkling winemaker Natalie Fryar, it has since played an important role in Rahona’s evolution and while also supporting the broader sparkling wine community across the Peninsula and beyond.
Something New to Discover on Every Visit
Today, Rahona is guided by a focused and experienced team, with sparkling expertise continuing to shape its direction. At its core, the approach is grounded in three principles: provenance, precision, and patience.
From its original three-acre vineyard, Rahona has since grown to become one of the Peninsula’s most dedicated sparkling wine producers. Today, the range includes more than ten sparkling wines, alongside a considered selection of cool-climate table wines, including Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Syrah.
While firmly anchored in the Mornington Peninsula, the portfolio also draws on select Tasmanian parcels to complement and enhance the house style.
Ultimately, every Rahona wine reflects a measured and deliberate approach — an expression of place shaped by time and thoughtful craftsmanship.
JOIN OUR WINE CLUB
For access to new releases, member discounts and special events
Our Passionate Team
Toby Pieters
Co-founder & Head of Wine
Toby brings a deeply practical and intuitive approach to winemaking, shaped by years of hands-on experience and a relentless focus on quality.
His entrepreneurial journey began in his family’s ceramic tile business, where he stepped into the role of General Manager before the age of 20. This early responsibility laid the foundation for his commercial acumen and disciplined approach to building and leading a business.
In 2014, Toby and his partner Dianne discovered Rahona Valley, sparking a passion for sparkling wine that has since become central to the winery’s direction. Over the past decade, Toby has developed a deep working knowledge of clonal selection, viticulture and winemaking, with a particular focus on traditional method sparkling production. He has worked closely alongside leading specialists, immersing himself in every stage of the process.
Today, Toby leads the direction of Rahona’s wine program, combining technical understanding with a clear vision for style, quality and consistency. His passion for sparkling and cool-climate wine is evident not only in the wines themselves, but in the way he shares that knowledge and enthusiasm with guests at the cellar door.
Dianne Gardiner
Co-founder, Director Marketing & Sales
Dianne is a businesswoman and entrepreneur. In 2007, at the start of the GFC, she established her own market research business. She rode out the storm and took the business from strength to strength over the next 13 years .
And then in 2014, Dianne and Toby embarked a new adventure into the wine world. While Dianne isn’t involved in the winemaking or vineyard management she loves wine and is custodian of our brand and marketing. So when you visit our cellar door and chat to Dianne about what makes Rahona…. Seriously. Good.
Today, Dianne is also President of Beyond the Bays Tourism, where she volunteers her time to represent over 80 tourism businesses in the Hinterland and Western Port regions of the Mornington Peninsula.
Natalie Fryar
Head of Sparkling
Natalie grew up in a wine region and completed work experience with Hardys at age 14. By 16, she had already done her first vintage. Her career has taken her from Great Western to Champagne and Tasmania.
Known as the “Queen of Bubbles,” Natalie spent over 14 years as the winemaker at Jansz Tasmania, helping establish it as a leader in Australian sparkling wine. She now runs her own sparkling label Bellebonne, co-founded Abel Gin, and consults to wineries including Pipers Brook Vineyard, producers of Kreglinger, Pipers Brook, and Ninth Island.
Natalie joined Rahona Valley as sparkling wine consultant in late 2018 and became Chief Sparkling Winemaker in 2019.
Acknowledgement of Country
Rahona acknowledges the Boonwurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging, and honour their ongoing connection to the land, waters, and community.
Our Partners and Supporters
- Member of Dromana Habitat .
- Member of Beyond the Bays Tourism .
- VisitMP Partner Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism Board.
- We would like to acknowledge the support of Mornington Peninsula Shire in redevelopment of our website and ecommerce strategy.