Our Team

Owners and founders of Aravina Estate
Email: hayley@aravinaestate.com
steve@aravinaestate.com
Phone: +61 8 9750 1111

Steve Tobin was born in the wheatbelt town of Katanning and was educated at UWA and Curtin University with degrees in Geophysics, Finance and Economics. Following a career as a Geophysicist in oil and gas exploration which took him to Iran, China, SE Asia, NZ, USA and Canada with his company Terrex Seismic, Steve studied Viticulture and then later purchased Aravina Estate in 2010.

Hayley grew up in Launceston, Tasmania before studying Human Resources at La Trobe University in Melbourne. Hayley is the Director and Owner of Boss People (HR and Recruitment firm) with offices throughout Australia.

From its inception, the Tobin family’s vision for Aravina Estate was to create: "a unique premium food and wine destination in the Southwest of WA that would showcase the finest wine and produce that the Region has to offer."

To this end, the focus at Aravina has been to invest heavily in new vineyard infrastructure, introduce improved management practices and plant new grape varieties particularly suited to the maritime climate and rich loamy soils of the northern Margaret River region. Following the belief that "great wine is made in the vineyard", this investment has led to the creation of a range of traditional and emerging red and white wines.

Aravina Estate's winemaker
Email: ryan@aravinaestate.com
Phone: +61 8 9750 1111

Ryan is responsible for all aspects of vineyard management (with consultant viticulturist Ryan Gibbs) and wine production at Aravina Estate. Formerly the site winemaker at Accolade Wine’s Houghton Winery in Nannup, Ryan has produced a large number of premium prize winning and popular wines across the suite of labels owned by Accolade including Houghtons and Brookland Valley. He has worked in Margaret River, Clare Valley, McLaren Vale and Sonoma Valley California and is a regular judge at Western Australian wine shows.

In 2009 Ryan was awarded the Wine Society Australian and New Zealand “Young Winemaker of the Year Award” whilst working at Margaret River’s Flying Fish Cove. He holds a BSc. (Oenology) from Charles Sturt University.

Wedding enquiries and planning
Email: functions@aravinaestate.com
Phone: +61 8 9750 1111

Bio coming soon.

Selection, preparation and execution of food and restaurant and wedding menus
Email: ben@aravinaestate.com
Phone: +61 8 9750 1111

Named as one of the best Chef’s in the South West by Rob Broadfield, Ben’s passion for local, sustainable produce really blossomed under his extensive tutelage both locally and abroad in the UK.

Western Australia has always been home to Ben and he has been lucky enough to work at iconic establishments such as Vans and IL Lido in Cottesloe and Porthminster in St Ives. A dedicated husband and father to two little girls, life is all about the local produce and the sustainability of this wonderful part of the world.

Ben was appointed Sous Chef at Vasse Felix, where he spent three years learning from their food philosophy and from there went on to being at the helm of Knee Deep.

He believes getting out of the kitchen and on to the farms to chat with local growers and suppliers is integral to designing a seasonal menu that showcases the amazing region in which we live. He is very excited to be leading the Kitchen team at Aravina Estate which is responsible for the a la carte and wedding menus. In 2015 he was part of the launch of the new produce line Aravina Cucina.

Aravina is doubling the size of the Kitchen Garden by planting many new herbs and vegetables as well as adding to the apple and pear orchard with lemons and limes which will feature on the menu.

A passion for hospitality
Email: info@aravinaestate.com
Phone: +61 8 9750 1111

After completing university in 2014, Tom moved to Cornwall to pursue a lifelong dream to surf and work alongside some amazing produce. It was here he found a passion for hospitality and was employed by the Rick Stein group, a fantastic company with many exciting moments and challenges. Working alongside some top chefs, Tom managed to forge his skills in restaurant management and exceptional customer service. In 2016 he was awarded the 'Star of the Future' award which was very humbling in a company of over 800 staff. Following a holiday to Western Australia in 2015, Tom made the permanent move to Margaret River with partner Jen and they couldn't be happier.

"Aravina is an amazing winery with exceptional food and I really love every moment whether its sharing knowledge of the vineyard with guests on the cellar door or making sure people have a lunch they will never forget." Tom

Background in advertising, media and marketing
Email: chelsea@aravinaestate.com
Phone: +61 8 9750 1111

Bio coming soon.

Aravina Estate's consultant viticulturist
Email: geovit@westnet.com.au
Phone: +61 8 9750 1111

Ryan joined the Aravina team in 2012 as the consultant viticulturist. Ryan has worked as a consultant in all regions of the West Australian industry. This diversity of Western Australian experience allows him to be more focussed on quality and a region-specific varietal mixes. Ryan works closely with the winemaker to ensure that Aravina’s fruit quality is at the highest possible for the vineyard that was planted in 1986.

Ryan's viticultural philosophies are based around allowing the vineyard to express the regional qualities of the northern end of the Margaret River region with a ‘minimal intervention’ approach.

Aravina Estate's horticulture viticulturist
Email: sharney@aravinaestate.com.au
Phone: +61 8 9750 1111

Sharney and her expert team of horticulture and landscaping specialists have created and maintained some of the most outstanding aspects of Aravina Estate’s gardens.

From the creation of our wedding ceremony arbor and winding pathways and streams through the entrance to the kitchen garden using repurposed bricks and elements from the old Amberley Estate.

Organics Horticulture services many of the region’s best and most abundant landscaped gardens and have been pivotal in maintaining the beautiful surroundings at Aravina.