Jim always wanted to make great Pinot Noir. Working at CSIRO, he met Edgar Riek who was also passionate about Pinot Noir. Jim’s 30-year passion took shape as Lerida Estate.
Living in France in the late 1980s, Jim and his wife Anne spent a considerable time in Burgundy. Returning from France, Jim discovered that Pinot Noir grown in the Lake George area near Canberra had qualities he had learned to love in Burgundy.
Research confirmed that this area had the characteristics required for producing great Pinot Noir.
Jim planted 9.6 acres of Pinot Noir, but also Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Shiraz and Viognier.
Jim & Anne then approached architect Glenn Murcutt to design a winery. He agreed. Lerida Estate now has the only Murcutt winery/cellar door in the world.
While the Shiraz/Viognier, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris have all been successful, Jim’s focus remains on Pinot Noir. As the vines age, there is an increasing depth to the flavour of the Pinot Noir. A bright future for Pinot Noir at this site seems assured. The ‘Josephine’ Pinot Noir is evidence of this.