Presiding over gently undulating grazing lands in the southwest of corner Victoria - close to the South Australian border - Crawford River has paved the way for a wine growing industry in what is traditionally a grazing region.


The winery atop the hill and the vineyard hugging the slope, nestled in the midst of the large sheep and cattle station that John Thomson's great-grandfather settled in 1884. John and his wife Catherine planted the first vines in 1975 and during the next few years, John completed his Wine Science and Viticulture studies at Wagga. Two of their daughters are now an integral part of the team; Belinda as a winemaker and viniculturist and Fiona in Sales and Marketing.

Lying at the alluvial edge of a volcanic lava flow, the 11.5 hectare vineyard has its roots in an unusally complex, mineral-rich soil base. Gravelly, friable, basalt loam overlays permeable clay which lies above limestone created by an ancient, risen seabed. At Latitude 38^0S, 110 metres above sea level and approximately 50 kilometres inland from the sea, the vineyard enjoys some moderating maritime influences.

The combination of these factors produces a long and even growing season helping to produce grapes with intense fruit flavours and high natural acidity. All the pruning, picking and meticulous canopy management are done entirely by hand and environmentally sustainable viniculture is carefully practised. Their wines are crafted entirely from fruit grown at the vineyard, vinified and bottled on site. Patience and time are of the essence in the winery. They believe in minimal interference and movement during vinification, preferring the fruit to naturally express its very individual terroir. It is their belief that this approach influences the pure, elegant quality of their end product.

Wines made are Riesling, Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Merlot, Semillon Sauvignon Blanc & NEKTAR.

Content: Crawford River Wines

Facilities

Activities