Sitting on the north-eastern shoulder of a windy ridge, Chepstowe Vineyard is a premium cool climate vineyard producing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz.
The land here is ancient. Today the responsibility for tending the vines falls to Matt Thain, who bought the vineyard in 2004 from Bill and Lyn Wallace, who established it in 1994. Legend has it that Dominique Landragin, born and bred in the Champagne region in France, sat upon the hill at Chepstowe and declared the site perfect for wine.
Fruit hangs a long time up there and there is never much of it. That is the trade: small crops, slow ripening, and everything that would have gone into a bigger yield going into the fruit instead. The vines are testament to their heritage, and as in all cool climates, yield is low. The vines were burnt in a bushfire, but with tending and care have returned; 2018 brought the first vintage after the fire. An alliance with Alex Byrne as wine maker has enabled fine wines of balance and finesse, and I continue to refine and coax ever deeper flavours from each vintage, for you to enjoy.
On the weekends, visitors are welcome in their tasting room where they can taste their wines with a grazing board. Please call ahead to book your spot.
