Catherine Vale , a small family-owned vineyard in the Broke Fordwich Wine Region of the Hunter Valley, was set up by retired teachers Bill and Wendy Lawson in 1993.
Catherine Vale specialises in bringing an imaginative and progressive boutique vineyard to a Hunter Valley wine tasting experience.
The vineyard started out with Semillon and Chardonnay but Bill and Wendy had a passion for Italy and in 1998 established Dolcetto and Barbera.
A trip to the Piedmont region of Italy in 2006 gave Bill and Wendy the confidence in their Italian varieties and soon after they planted Arneis which was grafted onto already producing vines. Catherine Vale is the only grower of Arneis and Dolcetto in the Hunter Valley.
Bill and Wendy are so passionate about their business that they do all the vineyard work themselves, with all the grapes hand-picked. Their passion for Italy has even extended to a bocce court. Visitors can taste the wine - and experience a small part of Italy at Catherine Vale.