The Art of Listening, Celebrating, and Connecting: The Inspiring Philosophy Behind Rahona Valley’s Success

Chat session 168 with Dianne 

🎧 Catch Up Link

Topic- Unveiling the Mornington Peninsula’s sparkling secret.

Monday 17^th August 2026 1pm https://rppfm.com.au

The Beauty of Rahona: How a Life Spent Listening to People Shaped a Sparkling Story

For Dianne, it has never really been about the wine.

That might sound like a strange thing to say from someone who co-owns one of the Mornington Peninsula's most dedicated sparkling wine producers. But ask Dianne what drives her, what lies behind the beauty that is Rahona, and she will not start with grape varieties, medals, or methods. She will begin with people—how food and wine bring people together and how they add to moments of connection. That is what truly excites her. Everything else is in service of that.

A Life Spent Listening

Long before wine entered her life, Dianne built her career around understanding people. She spent years in consumer insights, where the core of the job is to listen and understand what people really want and need—often before they can put it into words. Whether advising government or large corporations, it was always about listening and recognizing what was missing or inhibiting connection.

She has carried that same perspective into Rahona, and it is this approach that quietly elevates the entire experience.

Because a cellar door can go one of two ways: it can be intimidating, full of jargon designed to make visitors feel like they don’t belong; or it can be warm and welcoming, a place where connection matters most. Dianne has worked hard to ensure Rahona is the latter—no wine-world nonsense, no snobbery, no sense that you need a degree to enjoy a glass. Just good wine, good food, and people who are genuinely glad you came.

The Story of Rahona

Dianne’s journey with wine began in 2014, when she and her partner Toby were searching for a home on the Peninsula and stumbled upon a small, secluded vineyard in Red Hill South called Rahona Valley. At just three acres, it was one of the smallest commercial vineyards in the region. To most, it looked modest—yet to them, it was full of possibility. They bought it, and their adventure into winemaking began.

Neither came from a wine background. Instead, they brought curiosity, hard work, and a growing love for sparkling wine. Early on, they made a deliberate choice that set them apart: the cool maritime climate of the Peninsula produces exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay—the two classic sparkling grapes—and it was those varieties, and what they could become, that drew Dianne and Toby to specialize in sparkling, the most technically challenging wine to produce.

In 2020, they built a dedicated sparkling winery in Dromana, guided by acclaimed winemaker Natalie Fryar, known across the industry as the Queen of Bubbles.

Every bottle of Rahona sparkling is crafted using the traditional method—the same painstaking process used in Champagne, where the second fermentation happens inside the bottle itself. Each bottle takes a minimum of three years to produce, with some exceeding ten years. It’s slow, patient, deliberate work, but they believe sparkling wine deserves to be taken seriously in its own right. With over ten varieties available, Rahona is proving that there is something truly special in what they’re doing.

The original three-acre vineyard was sold in 2022, but Rahona continued to grow, sourcing fruit from more than six premium vineyards across the Peninsula. Over twelve years, the wines have earned numerous medals—gold, silver, bronze—and even a trophy for Best Sparkling Wine at the ANZ Boutique Wine Show, along with awards across Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Syrah, and Gewürztraminer. Not bad for a business that started with just two people and three acres.

Where the Magic Happens

But awards were never the goal. For Dianne, the real magic happens at the cellar door, where wine becomes an excuse to bring people together.

Sip and Share is proof of that. It started as a small idea—a spoken word poetry evening with featured poets and an open mic—and has grown into something Dianne could never have predicted. People gather in a warm, safe space to share intimate stories, and the emotion in the room is palpable. Remarkably, those who have never shared before find the courage to step forward and speak from the heart. Dianne herself was one of them. She had never written poetry before, but after attending these evenings, she quietly put pen to paper and shared her first poem. Now, she often shares one at each session.

That’s the beauty of Sip and Share: it’s not really about the poetry. It’s about what happens when people come together and truly listen to one another. It creates a community that’s hard to put into words—you have to be there to experience it.

There are also music nights, where live performances fill the cellar door with great vibes. Other events pair Rahona’s wines with local produce, celebrating the region’s makers, growers, and artisans. For Dianne, these collaborations underscore that great wine is only part of the story.

At the core of it all is a simple belief: food and wine bring people together—and that’s their true beauty. Sparkling wine is often reserved for big milestones, but Dianne sees it differently. Why wait? A Tuesday’s success, a friend dropping by, or a sunset over the vines—all are worth celebrating. The small moments matter just as much as the big ones, because they make up a life.

The Next Chapter: Merricks Orchard and Vine

If the past decade was about wine, the next is about blending her two passions—food and wine.

Dianne’s enthusiasm for produce, flavour, and creativity has found a new home. Last year, she and Toby purchased an eighty-year-old orchard in Merricks North. For Dianne, it feels like the piece she’s been searching for: Merricks Orchard and Vine, where heritage trees bearing rare fruits—heritage apples, quinces, figs, persimmons, cumquats, and more—stand as a testament to history and harvest.

Here, her love of preserving and creating small-batch products will come alive. Drawing on the art of preserving, she plans to extend the life of seasonal fruits, inviting people to experiment and play in their kitchens. It’s early days, and she’s keeping some secrets, but her vision is clear: Merricks Orchard and Vine will be her way of closing the loop—marrying the wine she’s spent a decade mastering with the food and produce she’s always adored.

Bringing It All Together

From a chance discovery of three quiet acres to a decorated sparkling wine producer, and now to an orchard rich with history, Dianne’s journey has been one of conviction and courage.

Yet, if you ask her what it’s really about, she won’t talk about medals or vineyards. She will talk about people—the laughter shared over a meal, the emotion in a poem read aloud, the ease of an afternoon with good wine. The simple, human pleasure of coming together over food, wine, and good company—that is the true beauty of Rahona.

Visit Rahona Valley

Experience the magic of Rahona Valley and immerse yourself in the stunning Mornington Peninsula landscape—perfect for a day trip or weekend escape.

Come for the wines, stay for the community, and leave with new memories and stories. Rahona Valley isn’t just a place to taste wine—it’s a place to connect, celebrate, and be part of something special.

Find them on Instagram RahonaEstate Facebook Rahona (Rahona Valley) YouTube Rahona Valley and be sure to check their website at https://rahonavalley.com.au for the latest news and booking details.

My hope is that when you’re looking at yourself in the

‘The Daily Mirror’

YOU SMILE

EMBRACE BEING YOU

AND FIND 10 MINUTES IN YOUR DAY TO NOURISH YOUR SOUL!

To get in touch with Cathy email smileinthedailymirror@gmail.com 

'The Daily Mirror' acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.