AFTER 11 years serving the Mildura community, Sunraysia Cellar Door has called last drinks and is selling up shop.
Co-owners Sue and Greg Christensen have decided to slowly wind-up trading, aiming to clear out the Tenth Street building by the end of July.
Sue said it was the end of a chapter, in what has been a big part of the couple’s lives.
“We’re not drowning, we’re not going under, it was just a decision to simplify lifestyle and focus on other areas,” Ms Christensen said.
“The Cellar Door has been really good to us and the family, we’ve made lots of friends out of this.
“We just felt like it was closing time.”
The business was trading seven days a week until the pandemic, and Sue said since then trading in hospitality hadn’t quite felt the same.
The Christensens did explore the idea of selling Sunraysia Cellar Door to new owners last year, but a deal never went through.
Instead, the pair received a flurry of well wishes from their clients and suppliers after announcing the closure.
“We obviously rang all the wineries, because they’ve been really supportive of us over the years,” Ms Christensen said.
“Everyone’s sad to see us shut.
“I take that as a compliment that they’re sad to see us go.”
Friday night wine-downs and wine tastings are already off the menu, as the business clears its current stock over the next two weeks.
“We have had a lot of functions and Easters and Christmas parties and 50th birthdays, so a lot has gone on in this building over the years,” Ms Christensen said.
