The country’s oldest winery refreshed and reopened in 190th year.
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The historic Dalwood Estate (formerly Wyndham Estate) located near Branxton and fronting the Hunter River sat virtually untouched since its closure until it was purchased in 2017 by Sydney hotelier and developer Sam Arnaout’s Iris Capital.
Dalwood Estate joins the group’s two other Hunter operations which includes Hungerford Hill Wines and Sweetwater Wines.
The property surrounds Dalwood House, the original 1828 National Trust-listed family home of George Wyndham, who – by virtue of his Branxton plantings – is credited with establishing Australia’s first commercial shiraz vineyard.
The giant French Pernod Ricard group acquired the estate in 1990 in its $73 million takeover of Brian McGuigan’s Wyndham Estate company. It shut the estate down in 2014 and it remained in limbo until its sale to Iris Capital last December at a reported price of $3 million.
When the Dalwood was first placed on the market Brian McGuignan said he would love to once again own the property that really kicked started his family’s winemaking and tourism career.
But he added he reckoned he was too busy with his beef cattle enterprise and was getting a bit too old to chase another big project. Although he has been active in Pokolbin district with some other notable purchases.
Back at Dalwood Estate after a rigorous 12-month renewal program, the 260-acre property has a new lease on life and has been restored to its former glory.
With a return to its original 1828 establishment name, Dalwood Estate boasts a stunning heritage winery building, beautifully manicured lawns, pristine garden beds, function centre, cellar door, restaurant, walking trails and public BBQ areas on the banks of the Hunter River.
Iris Capital General Manager Craig Hibbard said this weekend’s opening was about celebrating the revival of an Australian icon and reopening it the community.
“It’s been a busy 12 months – imagine a 260-acre estate that hasn’t been maintained for three years – but we’re really proud of Dalwood’s transformation and we can’t wait to share it with the wider community,” Mr Hibbard said.
“Dalwood Estate shares historical significance with the winemaking industry and not just in the Hunter Valley – it’s Australia’s oldest winery and the first winery in the country to establish a commercial shiraz vineyard.
“Our aim is to revive the property’s heritage and restore it to a fully operational vineyard again.”
The main building, which reopens this weekend, is 2500 square metres and includes the old winery, cellar door, restaurant, beautiful ceremony locations and three function rooms with stylish indoor and outdoor venue settings. The function centre can hold up 400 seated guests and has secured the relevant licences to host live concerts and music festivals. Bookings can be made for private events with fine wine and excellent food offerings.
“In the coming months we aim to have the cellar door reopened and fully operational. Our first grapes for vintage 2018 were harvested last Friday and our team is busily working away on Dalwood’s premium Chardonnay, Semillon and Shiraz wines, which will be released this year.”
Dalwood Estate is one of the first stops off the Hunter Expressway, making it more accessible to visitors from Sydney and Newcastle.
The reopening marks Dalwood’s 190th year and this weekend hatted chef Chris Thornton from Restaurant Mason will prepare gourmet canapés for guests on arrival, with Mitch Steele and Luciano Cruz from MEET Restaurant providing a delicious lunch for 60 VIP guests in the function centre. Styled by events company Angelic Events.