Oaks on Melba is a small, family-owned winery that was started several years ago in Yarra Valley.

The business was founded by a couple who were looking to pursue a new venture after the graduation of their children. Together, over the course of the next four years, the duo developed the property, hired a small team, spent full weekends in the neighbourhood (instead of going home) so that they were bright eyed and bushy tailed the next day to greet customers, old and new, from day to night.

The hard work paid off. Relationships with customers across the neighbourhood and area were built, word of mouth spread, and soon, the business was flourishing.

Knowing that their parents were busy, the kids were asked to come help the parents on the busier weekends, just to ensure that the community that Oaks on Melba had developed over the years remained strong, underpinned by quality customer service and excellent food and alcohol.

Unfortunately, the family was notified by the Yarra Ranges Council that the agency is now planning to invoke a 2001 planning permit, which will only permit Oaks on Melba to serve 20 patrons on site at one time.

This isn't a compromise as no business of this nature is able to financially sustain themselves on 20 patrons max. On top of that, imagine if you were two bottles of wine deep at a winery in the countryside only to be asked to leave because of an arbitrary quota imposed by the council.

Running a small business is difficult. Making it a success is beating the odds, and making it during COVID is a miracle.

And now, despite having adhered to and fulfilled all the requests of the council, including submitting plenty of paperwork, Oaks on Melba have been given no alternative from the council but to temporarily close their winery after Sunday 27th February.

Please help us save Oaks on Melba by signing this petition. It means everything to this family and the community that they've created over the last five years.

This is the Instagram account for more information: https://www.instagram.com/p/CMB7b_tj9Eh/