COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS HAVE CHANGED FOR CELLAR DOORS

 On the weekend Victorian Premier Dan Andrews made an announcement to delay an increase to gathering limits in businesses and community facilities that had been slated to come into effect today. What follows is the updated and current information as of Monday 22 June and is effective immediately.

 In summary:

• You can now sell alcohol by the bottle and glass or sell a wine tasting experience without a meal if patrons are seated. You are also allowed to offer free samples if you wish, to a seated patron at cellar door.
• The number of people allowed in an enclosed space remains at 20 people until 12 July, provided the social distancing rule of one customer per 4m2 is met.
• You may seat groups up to 10 (in the same party) who will be allowed to dine in or drink together at the same table
• Tastings must continue to be seated until further announcements are made regarding this.

Here is the text from the DHHS website that has been updated this morning 22/6/20:

What about cellar doors at wineries? What restrictions apply?

Victoria’s winery restaurants and cafes can resume dine-in service, so long as they are meeting the requirements outlined by the Deputy Chief Health Officer including patron limits, physical distancing, signage and hygiene. 

 Wineries with a restaurant or cafe are able to sell alcohol by the bottle and glass or sell a wine tasting experience without a meal if patrons are seated. In addition, they can sell full bottles from their cellar doors for consumption away from the premise. 

As part of this sales process, where the liquor licence permits it, a cellar door may also choose to offer free samples of its produce to a seated customer to help the customer choose what to buy.