RUTHERGLEN WINE REGION SET FOR FIRST INTERNATIONAL HOTEL

The celebrated Victorian wine region of Rutherglen is set to welcome its first international hotel when Vintara Winery owner, Michael Murtagh, completes construction of an 80 room Mercure resort development on the 43 hectare property, scheduled for completion in 2012.

Having identified the potential of Rutherglen to have a iconic tourism destination in the Mercure Resort, Mr Murtagh has joined with the expertise of Australia’s largest hotel group Accor, who will manage the new resort under its Mercure brand – a brand synonymous with wine (through its regional Grands Vins wine menus) and sustainable development programs such as the ‘Mercure Meetings’ carbon neutral conferencing initiative, the ideal complement to regional conferencing.

The development of the resort-style hotel follows the popularity of similar properties managed by the Accor group in wine regions such as the Yarra Valley, Barossa Valley and Hunter Valley.

The project is currently in the advanced stages of planning and seeking furtherInvestment. Interested parties can view draft plans at www.vintara.com.au or by contacting Michael Murtagh at michael@vintara.com.au

Having established a thriving restaurant and winery on site in 2008 it is Mr Murtagh’s vision to create a full holiday destination at Vintara and supply the region with a premier resort, conference and food & wine experience.

“There is nothing like it in the region and with an established weddings and functions market and an emerging golf tourism market out of Melbourne, the sort of development we are proposing can really help establish Rutherglen as a major tourist centre,” Mr Murtagh said.

Accor’s Development Manager, Matthew Tripolone agrees: “Accor has a shared vision for the development and with our experience in the hotel and tourism business, our support of the proposed development is testament to its potential.”

The four-star Mercure Rutherglen Vintara resort development will also include a day spa, tennis courts, winery cellar door and premium food and beverage offerings with the established Vintara restaurant, complemented by a new pool deck caf, alfresco dining and private dining facilities.

Serviced by Albury-Wodonga airport, just 20 minutes away, and a three hour drive from Melbourne, four hours from Canberra and five hours from Sydney, Rutherglen is an easily accessible destination for corporate guests, short-stay weekend getaways or interstate driving holidays.

With a lack of four-star resort or leisure style accommodation options for hundreds of kilometres, the Mercure Resort Rutherglen is set to bring a new level of international standard multi-purpose accommodation, function and conferencing space to the region. Leisure and business guests alike can also utilise the many outdoor pursuits that Rutherglen and surrounds has to offer, including; numerous golf courses nearby; water skiing, fishing, canoeing and cycling trails along the Murray River and nearby water sports tourism hub, Yarrawonga with the Victorian high country and ski slopes just one hour away.

The proposed resort’s hilltop setting offers panoramic views north over the vineyards and onto the Murray Valley, and south to the Alpine foothills, the perfect setting for weddings, corporate functions and conferences. With a year round temperate climate, these features, activities and facilities can be enjoyed at any time.