After four years in business, Ms D’Orria decided to close Rambling Wine Tours after “a recent overwhelming feeling of defeat”.
“No matter how hard I was working to build the Rambling and create unique experiences for visitors near and far, rising taxes and regulations, along with rising costs of living, was making it hard to justify owning and operating a small business,” she said.
In the past 12 months, Ms D’Orria found herself performing a juggling act, with assisting her husband’s two businesses, working a part-time job and being mother to four busy teenage children.
The running of Rambling Wine Tours hasn’t been an easy feat either.
Facing lockdowns and the 2022 floods, as well as the escalating cost of living, Ms D’Orria said the biggest things she took away from running Rambling Wine Tours was her newfound skill of adaptability, as well as a fresh perspective on the community.
“I’ve had to be adaptable and flexible from the beginning,” Ms D’Orria said.
“I discovered the power of community connections and collaborated with some amazing accommodation providers, winemakers, restaurants and event organisers in our region.
“I made some beautiful lifelong friends in the industry since starting Rambling Wine Tours and created bonds that will last beyond the professional world.”
Based in Seymour, Rambling Wine Tours allowed attendees to discover the tastes of the region, offering tours in the Nagambie Lakes/Strathbogie, Heathcote, Bendigo and Shepparton and Goulburn Valley wine regions.
Although these unique, tailored experiences were met with outstanding feedback, Ms D’Orria said that with people spending less on non-essential items, she realised it was time to close the business.
Ms D’Orria now finds herself focusing on her job at Baracca Lane, an Italian cafe and deli in Station St co-owned by Giuliano Marcolin, with a cosy, yet bustling environment.
Ms D’Orria said what drew her to Baracca Lane was both the great coffee and delicious Italian street food, as well as the authentic vibe it gave off.
“I always loved the vibe of Baracca Lane, a hidden country gem with a Melbourne laneway look and feel,” she said.
“As you enter the cafe, you are immersed with Italian music and decor.”
Ms D’Orria said her transition from running Rambling Wine Tours to working at Baracca Lane “came quite naturally” and the support she has been graced with had allowed her to hold her head high.
Although the closure of Rambling Wine Tours has been disappointing for Ms D’Orria, she can still move forward knowing that she has achieved great things in the four years of running the business.
“In the four years, we won a bronze medal in the Victorian Tourism Awards, a TripAdvisors Travellers Choice Award, we were the finalist in the Community Achievement Awards and received Quality Tourism Accreditation and Sustainable Tourism Accreditation,” Ms D’Orria said.
“Creating unforgettable travel experiences and promoting this beautiful region has been an incredibly rewarding endeavour.
“I’d like to express my heartfelt thanks to our local makers and creators for supporting Rambling Wine Tours.
“To all of these people, I say thank you for being part of my story.”
Rambling Wine Tours will officially close in June this year.
Email Ms D’Orria at hello@ramblingwinetours.com.au to book your place in one of its final tours.
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