Jayden Ong is a hospitality veteran. From co-founding two of Melbourne’s most popular venues Cumulus Inc. (where he met his now wife Morgan) and Cumulus Up, the pair eventually turned their eyes to running their own winery.
“In between late nights at the restaurant, I worked vintages with Curly Flat, Moorooduc Estate and Allies/Garagiste, as well as completing a wine science degree in my spare time,” says Jayden. In 2010, their first label, One Block, was born.
Fast forward to 2024 and the pair have their own winery in the Yarra Valley with four labels under their belt, with one named after Jayden himself. “We found a beautiful property on Mt Toolebewong in 2015, and following a year of preparation, we close-planted a vineyard with five clones of Chardonnay. It is the highest altitude vineyard site in the Yarra Valley,” says Morgan Ong. “Jayden Ong Wines is a small, family owned and operated winery in the Yarra Valley producing superlative wines for One Block, La Maison de Ong, Moonlit Forest, and Jayden Ong.”
Creating an experience for their customers
To showcase their wines and their passion for food, the pair also run a tasting bar, restaurant and events space in Healesville called Jayden Ong Winery & Cellar Bar. Less than an hour away from Melbourne’s CBD, their Winery & Cellar Bar neighbours Four Pillars Gin Distillery, Payten & Jones Wine, No. 7, and Watts River Brewing.
Our progress paid off as we were awarded Cellar Door with Best Food in 2022 by Gourmet Traveller Wine, and have been awarded One Hat by the Age Good Food Guide each year.”
Jayden Ong → Owner
The pair know that the customer experience is key to success in the hospitality industry, and it’s evident when you walk in. “Building close guest relationships and focusing on the finer details and personalisation are crucial to delivering a premium guest experience,” says Morgan.
A simple point of sale solution
Needing a system to help run their restaurant and cellar bar, Jayden and Morgan turned to Square to help manage their in-person orders. “Square has been great for how simple it is to use,” says Jayden. “For everyone in the business, no matter your experience or savviness with technology, Square is easy and intuitive.”
Being able to onboard staff quickly with its user-interface has meant I can focus more on details of service rather than on mastering new technology. It’s a big time-saver.”
Morgan Ong → Owner
Making more sustainable choices
Looking to the future, Jayden and Morgan want to expand further internationally, as well as continue their sustainable approach to producing. Their vineyard sits 700m above sea level, the highest in the Yarra Valley region, and grows on a gentle south-facing slope.
“This very elevated, cool climate creates wines that exude purity and elegance,” says Jayden.
They already take a holistic approach to their growing, creating diversity and not having a monoculture to produce the best fruit, but they want to take it further.
“We recently installed a large solar system on the winery roof, and our packaging continues to improve in this area as well. These practices are important, even as we scale,” says Jayden.
