Villa Gusto in the Buckland Valley via Bright is for sale

A tourist icon of north east Victoria, the five-star resort Villa Gusto, has been listed for private sale with a price tag of $3.85 million as a going concern.

The freehold at 630 Buckland Valley Road offers a slice of Italy, having been built by Italophile Colin McLaren who took inspiration from the grand lakeside villas and hilltop homes and resorts of northern Italy to create a unique and indulgent country property. 

McLaren was an ex-Victoria Police detective-turned-author.

Its features include Glenrowan granite stone, reclaimed timbers and the classics of marble, internal fittings like hand woven tapestries, artworks and distinctive finishes and fine detailing.

It with its distinctive buildings and all operating facilities is offered for sale on a walk-in walk out basis creating multiple options or choices for a new owner. 

The property has been listed by Ben and Kirsten Edwards having upgraded Villa Gusto’s services, but now want to part with it for personal reasons.

The resort was used solely for Fiat Chrysler Australia's marketing operations since 2013, but the company ended its contract with Ben Edwards's company Vinfinity in 2015. 

The listing agents are DRE Business Brokers, a division of the property agency Dickens Real Estate in Bright. The marketing is being handled by Gerald Gray.

Villa Gusto is offered for private sale in full operational mode or on an effective going concern basis save for some heirloom family items that the vendors wish to retain.

Its features include:

• a freehold of 5,416 sqm (almost an acre and a half) with bitumen road access that is 12.7 kms from Bright, even closer at 6.8 kms from the delightful village of Porepunkah on the Great Alpine Road with also a local aerodrome.
• two buildings housing seven comfortable accommodation units supported by a full commercial kitchen with its own walk-in cool room.
• the half circular shape of the Grand Palazzo central entry building faces to the west to give idyllic views and sunsets, across to Mount Buffalo
• a solar-heated swimming pool that measures 14 by 8 metres and is edged in Travertine limestone with timber decks, pool furniture and is managed by a European BioTop filtration system.
• a separate owner’s accommodation — an apartment with space and services of a size that is ideal for a couple with even a small family.

There is also a climate-controlled wine room and cellar with a capacity to house 1000 bottles. Ben Edwards is a noted wine reviewer, show judge and previously President of Sommeliers Australia. 

Services include 60 solar panels of 15 kW capacity on the roof that transmit power back to the grid.

According to the owners, the peak trading period are summer, spring and the autumn months.

“I don’t think we have pushed the accommodation numbers from visitors and travellers through the high and alpine country so this potential remains to be tapped under new ownership”.

“We are offering the property and business for sale with all operational facilities in place, forward bookings and a complete IT operating software system and website,” Gray said.