Us - Stockman's Ridge Wines

The property was purchased in 2002 with the spectacular views to the south and a blank canvas to work with. The first trial trees were planted the following year. With their success it was decided to expand, in 2004 the first shiraz vines were planted as well as the remaining fruit trees in the orchard.

The property is always expanding and changing but in keeping with its rural direction and expression of the Australian outback. With cattle being born in Spring, harvests in Autumn and plenty of hard work in between the property rarely sleeps and always has a buzz of growth. The property is located 20 kms north of Bathurst at an elevated at 900m above sea level which gives it a fantastic almost endless view south.

Stockman's Ridge

Below is a clickable map of our primary property, Stockman's Ridge.

Our History

2002
December:	Property purchased, only 4 fences around the boundary exist.
2003
January: March: April: August: December:	Australia is in the middle of the worst drought on record. Dam is cleaned out. 100,000L Water tank constructed. First cattle purchased. The first 40 cherry trees are planted. Holden, The property mascot joins the family, a beautiful cheeky Australian Stock Horse.
2004
March: April: June: July: August: December:	Paddock preparation starts on the orchard expansion. Paddock preparation starts on the Shiraz paddock. The irrigation system installation is started. The Shiraz paddock trellising goes up. The 1st Shiraz vines are planted. Remainder of the orchard is planted. It snows. The first cherries in the orchard ripen for the picking.
2005
January: February: May: June: August: October:	The new dam is contacted with a capacity of over 1 Million Litres. The Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Albariño paddocks are prepared. The new front gate and internal fencing are completed. The remainder of the Shiraz paddock is planted. The first calves are born on the property. I break my upper right arm in a car accident. Dozer, our Millah Murra bull arrives. The Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Albariño vines are planted.
2006
May: July: August: November:	Electricity is connected. The irrigation system is automated. 260,000L Water tank constructed. Both dams run dry in the middle of the worst drought in memory, they and are expanded and cleaned. The bore is drilled.
2007
September: November: December:	Construction starts on the permanent orchard bird netting structure. All the dams are full. The orchard bird netting structure is completed. We harvest our first cherry crop for public sale.
2008
February: March: May: November:	We cover the Shiraz with bird netting. We harvest our first Shiraz vintage. Wine making begins on the 2008 Shiraz and Merlot vintages. Our nut crop is harvested. Pruning begins. Our 2008 vintage is tasted and evaluated for bottling. The petting area is fenced. We open our gates for "Pick your Own Cherries"
2009