The owners of the recently refurbished Pizzateca are creating a hub for their food and wine production brand, Oztalia, at the same McLaren Vale location. Construction has begun on the centre that will take the licensing capacity of the Chalk Hill Rd business up to 400 people.
Owner Tony Mitolo, says they want to put the ‘fun in function’ with a new 250-seat multipurpose space, cellar door and an expanded carpark development.
“This will be the first offical home of Oztalia!” Tony said.
Under the name Oztalia, Tony and the team grow, prepare, cook, bottle and preserve all kinds of produce from tinned green tomatoes to beers and wines. Currently, produce orders get collected at Pizzateca as well as being stocked by local supermarkets.
Tony says they’ve outgrown that model and need more space. Soon they’ll be able to offer even more, planning to offer packages to hire out their new space.
“People are always asking to hire out the restaurant for parties, weddings and events but I was always against shutting the doors to the restaurant for the evening. It takes a bit for visitors to travel to us, it would be so disappointing to see a closed sign on the door.” Tony said.
Tony says they are creating a tourism accelerator.
“We are bringing people to the region, they’ll come for the day, maybe stay the night,” Tony said.
“In the morning, visitors can enjoy a walk down our beautiful main street and grab a coffee from one of lovely local cafes.”
He is keen to work with local business’ and accommodation providers in the area, encouraging ‘cross pollination’ of local providers.
“We will expand our huge stock list of local wines – that not only includes our wines, but bottles from some our favourite local growers,” Tony said.
They also plan to fit out the space with an industrial kitchen to boost production.
“We currently have 40-50 employees, that will triple once this space is built.”
The project has been approved by the council and they’ve also sought out advice from traffic and sound consultants.
At the moment, the Chalk Hill Rd location is home to Pizzateca, known for their authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas. They quickly became local legends after the doors opened in 2016 with each pizza crafted from hand-stretched dough to a quick cook in a 400-degree Stefano Ferrara wood-fired oven straight from Napoli. For dessert, their famous Gelateca also offers gelati, just in time for spring.
The business recently underwent major renovations, adding a fresh new look to the soon to be bustling complex.
Tony says that customers won’t recognise the inside or the front of the building, while the dining space remains the same, the entrance and interior have undergone a dramatic makeover.
“The whole inside of the restaurant has been completely gutted out, we’ve opened up the front of the building so it’s really open,” Tony says.
The new Oztalia multipurpose space centre is expected to be up and running in late November or early December 2025, “just in time to host festive functions”, according to Tony.
What: Oztalia Function Space
Where: 319 Chalk Hill Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171
Find out more, here.
More News
