A Place Shaped by History
Long before Stones became a place where thousands of couples have celebrated the beginning of their next chapter, it was a landscape shaped by history, agriculture and the people who cared for it.
Our story begins in the early 1860s, when Swiss immigrant and pioneering grape grower Hubert de Castella planted 200 acres of vines in Coldstream. His work laid the foundations for what would become the historic St Huberts estate. As the vineyard flourished, so too did the buildings that supported it, including the 1868 stables and blacksmith’s workshop where horses were tended, tools were forged and the rhythms of vineyard life unfolded season after season.
For more than a century, these buildings stood quietly among the orchards and vines, weathered by time but rich with character. In 1987, the Napoleone family, who had been farming in the Yarra Valley since 1948, purchased the Coldstream property and became stewards of its long agricultural and winemaking history. Their vineyards now form the home of Punt Road Wines and Airlie Bank, continuing a legacy that began more than 150 years ago.
While the land continued to thrive, the historic buildings entered a quieter chapter. Their stone walls and timber beams remained, waiting for someone to see what they could become.
In 2005, that moment arrived. Steve and Vonnie Frazer approached the Napoleone family with a bold idea: to restore the old barn and create a wedding venue that honoured the property’s heritage. As Vonnie recalls, “Our story begins with two crazy people coming up the tree lined driveway…”
With the Napoleones’ blessing, the Frazers began the restoration, a labour of love that transformed derelict farm buildings into The Barn, The Chapel and later The Stables. Their vision was simple: preserve what was already beautiful, and create spaces where people could gather, connect and celebrate life’s most meaningful moments. On 25 August 2006, Stones of the Yarra Valley opened its doors.
Over the next decade, the property continued to evolve through careful restorations and the creation of new thoughtful spaces including The Dairy, Meletos, The Farmhouse, The Warehouse, The Day Room, The Providore, Il Massaggio and The Villa. The creativity, courage and care behind each addition helped define the character of Stones as it is known today.
New vision Emerges
In recent years, the weddings business has returned to the Napoleone family, bringing the story full circle. The land, its vineyards and its historic buildings are once again under the stewardship of the family who have farmed here for generations, continuing the legacy of both families who shaped this remarkable place.
Today, Stones remains a place where history is honoured and hospitality is heartfelt. Beneath centuries-old oak and elm trees, among the vineyards and within these restored buildings, thousands of couples have exchanged vows, shared laughter and created memories that will be treasured for a lifetime.
A Story That Comes Full Circle - Stones Today
As we celebrate 20 years of weddings at Stones, we honour every chapter: the early vineyard pioneers, the Napoleone family’s custodianship, the Frazers’ extraordinary vision and the generations of people who have cared for this land and these buildings.
But most of all, we honour the community that has grown around Stones. Families who have worked here across decades. Teams who have poured their craft, heart and hospitality into every celebration. And the thousands of couples who have walked these paths, stood beneath these trees and filled these spaces with love.
Each wedding adds another layer to the story, another moment, another memory, another chapter that becomes part of the fabric of this place. Stones has always been shaped by the people who call it theirs, whether for a single day or a lifetime.
While these buildings have stood for more than 150 years, it is the generations of families, teams and couples who bring them to life. Their laughter, their stories and their celebrations are the true heartbeat of Stones, and the reason this place continues to feel so profoundly alive.