There aren’t many vineyards that can boast century old vines, but at Grove Estate this rings true, Croatian settlers having planted cuttings on the property back in 1886.
Today, Brian Mullany tends to the Hilltop vines, bringing with him horticultural experience of a different kind. Cherry farming.
The opportunity to buy the land surrounding those original vines came across in the late 80s, when three families joined forces to establish a vineyard and cherry orchard.
The extended vineyard was planted in October 1989, the very same day that Brian tied the knot. Mind focussed on nurturing of another kind, resulted in a less than satisfactory first year in the vineyard, but the following spring saw ‘bud burst’ in both the family home and on the property.
Originally called Cherry Grove, Grove Estate has fast become one of the benchmark properties in the region. And the vines planted back in 1989 are still happy and alive today, alongside their elderly counterparts.