Funding boost for more accommodation in King Valley

CONTEMPORARY accommodation in the form of six converted shipping containers and a freshly refurbished homestead is on the way at Dal Zotto Wines in Whitfield, thanks to a funding injection from the Victorian Government's Flagship Tourism Project program. The King Valley wine business has received $300,000 towards the project, designed to provide more self–contained accommodation, with some containers already on site and the renovation of what is one of the region's original homes – built in 1904 – now underway. Dal Zotto Wines CEO Michael Dal Zotto said he was excited to see the development in progress, which when complete, will mean more people will be able stay in the region for multiple nights. He said the project followed on from the success of shipping container accommodation provided temporarily on site in 2019, which was fully booked out. "The containers are designed to give people some privacy but to be reasonably close to amenities, with access to the cellar door and winery and other facilities around the township," he said. The accommodation is expected to be up and running by around May this year. Rural City of Wangaratta mayor Dean Rees said it was positive project for vignerons and the King Valley as a whole, which he described as one of the most picturesque regions in Victoria. Cr Rees said it was part of the $4.3 million Prosecco Road trail, designed to make the King Valley more recognisable as the home of Prosecco. "Council is very supportive of this type of development – we want to see our tourism attractions expand – and providing more visitor accommodation in the King Valley and right across the rural city is vital to this," he said. Mr Dal Zotto said his business was fortunate not to have been affected by a storm cell which raged through the King Valley last Tuesday, causing significant damage to some properties and a 12–hour power outage. He said while they avoided the storm's heavy downpour and wind, recent humid conditions and unseasonal rain had the potential to affect the grape harvest. "We are around four to five weeks away from harvest so we still have a bit of time and we hope it will be okay, and if the weather stays sunny, warm and dry, we'll get through," he said. "It has been a difficult year but they come along every now and again – you can't do anything about it so you just have to find a way through." Mr Dal Zotto said like other local businesses, they were struggling to find enough staff, estimating they needed another four people, with more positions available in their cellar door and restaurant. But he said he was heartened to see a significant increase in the number of midweek visitors, and thankful for the support received from the North East community as well as from Melbourne.

Funding boost for more accommodation in King Valley

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