WHEN the global pandemic crushed the wedding and events sector in Melbourne last year, Karyn Walton had to reassess everything.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Specialising in pop-up ceremonies throughout Victoria and in the capital's gardens, Ms Walton said her eight-year-old business Purple Birdcage was effectively grounded amid the lockdowns.
"We had so many cancellations in Melbourne last year; it was phone call after phone call to return people's deposits," she said.
"We packed up our Melbourne warehouses and we made our weekender in North East Victoria our family home.
"We wanted a permanent home for our weddings and the restaurant at Buller Wines became available."
Together with husband Brian Miller, Ms Walton opened The Pavilion Restaurant at Buller Wines at the end of June.
Having gone to high school in Albury, Ms Walton had worked in hospitality ever since including in marketing for Grand Hyatt Melbourne.
"I love hospitality and I love doing weddings and I love making this new restaurant our own," Ms Walton said.
"We've named the restaurant The Pavilion because the building itself is often referred to as the pavilion as it's situated on a large beautiful triangle of grass that overlooks the Calliope vineyard."
The Pavilion Restaurant offers an a la carte menu as well as weddings and events while a new cellar door menu can be ordered via a QR code and enjoyed in the winery grounds.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Under head chef Teneale Huston, Ms Walton said there was an emphasis on shared plates.
"The restaurant is all about sharing," she said.
"Because of all of the lockdowns where we couldn't go to our family's and friends' homes, we have made our menu all about sharing.
"Diners will order their own main courses but there are entree platters and sides for sharing."
Offering Buller Wines by the glass and bottle, Three Chain Road Gin will also feature in cocktails.
Ms Walton said they had booked six weddings, the first within eight weeks.
"We're as upset as the couples when their plans can't go ahead," she said.
The Pavilion Restaurant at Buller Wines opens Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 4pm, while the cellar door menu is available seven days, 10.30am to 3.30pm.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark https://www.bordermail.com.au/
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: @bordermail
- Follow us on Instagram @bordermail
- Follow us on Google News