Log In
Two shipping containers converted into mini-hotels awaits their guests at Waratah Hills Vineyard in Victoria’s South Gippsland. (Daniel John Bilsborough Photography)
Wine Down, Pop Up Returns in 2020
Editor’s note: When Convene first reported about Wine Down, Pop Up in 2019 (below), the program was new. Now in its second year, the container hotels will pop up in three new locations:
- Seville Estate in the Upper Yarra Valley: Feb. 28-March 28
- Montalto in the heart of the Mornington Peninsula on Victoria’s Pinot Coast: April 3-May 2
- All Saints Estate in historic Rutherglen: May 8-June 7
Even the most dedicated business traveler needs some time away from the hustle of airports, meetings, and deal-making. If you’re planning to be near Melbourne, Australia, it’ll be easy to wind down — or “wine down” — at a fabulous pop-up hotel in Victoria’s Gippsland, King Valley, and Macedon wine regions.
Visit Victoria launches its Wine Down Pop Up promotion on April 3 at the first of three vineyards to host two upcycled shipping container hotels that turn the “tiny house” craze on its head, outfitting the containers like they are luxury hotel rooms.
The company Contained, known for crafting bars, restaurants, offices and hotels out of shipping containers, created the opulently appointed and sustainably crafted housing units.
The containers will pop up April 3–28 in pinot noir country at South Gippsland’s Waratah Hills Vineyard, before moving May 6-June 2 to King Valley at the family-run Dal Zotto Wines, producers of some of Australia’s first prosecco. The final housing stop is June 7-July 7 at the picturesque Mount Towrong Vineyard near Mount Macedon Ranges.
The Wine Down retreats boast high-end finishes, with doors to a private deck, a queen-size bed with Cultiver linen, private bathroom with Hunter Lab toiletries, a minibar, a continental breakfast, and a hot tub.
Each vineyard has planned private, on-site wine tasting experiences for guests, and a bottle of the property’s finest vino. If you want to really pamper yourself before returning to reality, optional add-ons include gourmet picnic hampers and guided yoga session among the vines.
Prices range from AU$275-AU$375 per night. More information and accommodation bookings are now available at Visit Victoria.
Curt Wagner is a Convene associate editor.
Visit Victoria’s Mini Hotels and Vineyards
Contained designed the unique accommodations in an eco-friendly way, using reserve cycle heating and cooling. (Daniel John Bilsborough Photography)
The mini-hotels feature minibars and seating areas. (Daniel John Bilsborough Photography)
Floor-to-ceiling bi-fold doors open to a deck outside the converted shipping containers. (Daniel John Bilsborough Photography)
One bedroom in each former shipping container is decked out with a queen-size bed with Cultiver linen and robes. (Daniel John Bilsborough Photography)
The bathrooms come with Hunter Lab toiletries. (Daniel John Bilsborough Photography)
The Waratah Hills Vineyard sits in the Tarwin Valley, near the town of Fish Creek and only a short distance to the entrance of Wilsons Promontory National Park. (Courtesy Visit VIctoria)
Cheese boards, tapas platters and weekend seasonal specials all are available at the vineyard’s cellar door. (Courtesy Visit Victoria)
Waratah Hills Vineyard is the most southerly cellar door on the Australian mainland and is recognized as one of Australia’s best locations for the production of Pinot Noir.(Courtesy Visit Victoria)
The cellar door serves Waratah Hills wines and lunches made of local seasonal produce. (Courtesy Visit Victoria)
At the foothills of the High Country and on the famed Prosecco Road, Dal Zotto Wines pioneered the sparkling Italian variety in Australia. (Courtesy Visit Victoria)
Otto Dal Zotto founded Dal Zotto Wines in 1999, bringing his heritage — including genuine Italian family hospitality and the true “la dolce vita” lifestyle — to the beautiful Victorian country setting. Courtesy Visit Victoria)
The family-owned Dal Zotto Wines serves a menu of Italian-inspired dishes using seasonal and regional produce and other ingredients. (Courtesy Visit Victoria)
Located just 37 miles (60 km) from Melbourne, the family-owned Mount Towrong Vineyard specializes in cool climate Italian varieties. (Courtesy Visit Victoria)
Mount Towrong Estate is nestled in the Macedon Ranges in Victoria. (Courtesy Visit Victoria)
The Cremasco family’s passion for food and wine is obvious at the vineyard’s inviting cellar door and restaurant. (Courtesy Visit Victoria)
Two shipping containers converted into mini-hotels awaits their guests at Waratah Hills Vineyard in Victoria's South Gippsland. (Courtesy Visit Victoria)