Wineries
BALLABOURNEEN / BINET FAMILY WINES
The name Ballabourneen (Balla-bour-neen) is believed to be a Gaelic name that refers to a town road. The original Ballabourneen vineyards were on a property close by The Old North Road, which is believed to have been built by convicts of Irish decent. Ballabourneen is a signature range of wines produced by Binet Family Wines. Ballabourneen wines have been coming out of the Hunter Valley since the early 1990s, and in 2008 Daniel Binet (pictured above) formed a joint venture with owner Alexander Stuart to extend the Ballabourneen range of wines, buying grapes from well-known Hunter Valley sources and making their wine at Tatler’s Lovedale Road facility. In January 2016, Ballabourneen acquired its new home at Pokolbin Hill on McDonalds Road with the cellar door overlooking the foothills of the Brokenback Ranges.
HAHNDORF HILL
Hahndorf Hill specialize in the food-friendly grape varieties of Austria (yes that’s right, Austria!) Their boutique vineyard is located at the edge of the historic, German-heritage village of Hahndorf in the beautiful Adelaide Hills of South Australia. The climate just happens to be perfect for growing the Austrian grape varieties of Blaufrankisch, Gruner Veltliner, Zweigelt and St Laurent - all varieties that have an incredible affinity with a broad range of cuisines and food types. And of course, they still produce the cool-climate classics for which the Adelaide Hills wine region is renowned - Pinot Grigio, Shiraz and fresh, dry Rosé. The Winery is owned and operated by Larry Jacobs (former founder/ owner of renowned Mulderbosch Vineyards in Stellenbosch, South Africa) and his partner, Marc Dobson. The Hahndorf Hill Winery is rated as a 4.5 Star Winery by James Halliday, and their wines consistently achieve ratings in the 90+ point range.
HAREWOOD ESTATE
The Harewood label was established in 1986, undergoing major changes in 2003 when James Kellie (pictured above) purchased the property and constructed a modern 500 tonne winery in preparation for the 2004 vintage. James sources his grapes from premium vineyards, including the Harewood Estate vineyard, that have a proven record of growing only those varieties that are perfectly matched to their unique microclimates. Since 2004, the wines produced by Harewood Estate have been awarded 33 National Trophies, hundreds of medals and a 5 red star rating every year from James Halliday— which ranks Harewood in the top 5% of wineries in the country. for “a consistent record of excellence”. The understated artwork on the Harewood labels makes the point that (to quote James) “the art is on the inside.”
JUNIPER ESTATE
Juniper Estate is located in Wilyabrup. When established in 1973, it was one of only six Margaret River wine producers (along with Vasse Felix, Cape Mentelle, Cullen, Moss Wood and Woodlands). Today the Margert River region is home to over 200 vineyards. The vineyard is hand pruned and the grapes are hand-picked at harvest. All vineyards are dry grown for the depth of flavor it produces in the grapes. They process in small batches which are treated separately, evaluated and blended – a truly boutique operation. Juniper Estate is rated as a James Halliday a 5 Star Winery – one of Australia’s best!
MEEREA PARK
Meerea Park, situated in the Lower Hunter Valley, is the vineyard and winery jointly owned and managed by two brothers –Garth and Rhys Eather the winemaker pictured above. The name ‘Meerea’ means beautiful mountain in aboriginal and commemorates one of the most striking features of the Bulga area of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, home to the Eather family since 1797. Viticulture has always been part of the Eather family on the Meerea property, with over 169 years of continual family ownership. Meerea Park was established in 1991, but represents an incredible family history dating back to the late 1700’s when Thomas Eather arrived in Australia – making the Eather’s one of Australia’s oldest pioneering wine families. Meerea Park has been consistently rated by James Halliday’s as a 5 Star Winery – ranking it among “the best of the best”
MITCHELL WINES
The Mitchell family has been growing grapes in the Clare Valley for three generations. They moved to The Clare in 1949 and bought what was then a dairy and orchard, with only a small patch of vineyard. The grapes for Mitchell Wines come from the family’s four local vineyards, and the grapes grown include Riesling, Semillon, Shiraz, Merlot, Grenache and Cabernet. The vine age in the vineyards ranges from as little as five to over fifty-five years old. The Mitchells’ vineyards are dry-grown, and they employ biodynamic practices. Jane and Andrew with the help of their children, Angus, Hilary and Edwina who have now taken on the management of the Winery, have built an outstanding winery with an approach to winemaking that has earned them a consistent 5-star rating in James Halliday’s Wine Companion, among many other accolades.
SINGLEFILE WINES
Singlefile Wines was established in 2007 in the Great Southern wine region of Western Australia and is dedicated to making award-winning single-vineyard wines that express the terroir of their sites. The Great Southern region in Western Australia is famous for Shiraz and bone-dry Riesling but you will also fin outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Singlefile is lucky enough to work with 3 acclaimed winemakers, Coby Ladwid, Mike Garland, and the local Great Southern legend, Larry Cherubino. The winery takes its name from the resident geese, who parage in single file each day at dusk to the lake below the vineyards. Singlefile has achieve a 5-star winery rating by James Halliday, and consistently procures wines with score 90+ points.
TREVELEN FARM
Trevelen Farm wines are the result of a passion for growing excellent fruit. It all starts in their vineyard, part of a long history with the land here. The owner John Sprigg and winemaker James Kellie (pictured above) have been mates for many years producing award winning wine together. The Trevelen Farm vines were established as an extension of farming operations in 1993, starting the most northerly vineyard /wine label in the Great Southern Wine Region. Their signature Riesling and Tunney Cabernet Sauvignon support our range of wines that include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Katies Kiss Sweet Riesling, Merlot and Shiraz. Their wines have received critical acclaim since their first vintage. Trevelen Farm has been rated by James Halliday as a 5 Star Winery – one of Australia’s best!