We do not use any insecticides but try to encourage natural predators in and around the vineyard such as birds and beneficial insects.

We have vegetation growing in the spaces between rows which benefits the vines and prevents soil erosion.

We apply compost that is produced on the farm from organic matter, thus leaving a very small carbon footprint. In fact, we are storing carbon by increasing the organic matter of the soil. This is further supported by mulching the growth between the rows.

We use natural, organic sprays to prevent disease such as seaweed concentrate and microbial inoculants whenever possible.

We have, and protect areas of remnant bushland (approximately 30% of the farm area) for native flora and fauna.

We have started to use light weight bottles which use less energy and raw materials to produce and use less energy to transport.

Additionally, our vineyards are NOT located near highways or dense traffic so are not tainted by pollution. We are located in the New England Tablelands where our vines enjoy clean Australian country air.

[Images by Karissa at Image Photography - http://www.imagephotography.com.au]

Relax and enjoy our award winning cellar door and visitor centre while listening to great music from 12-3 on the first Sunday of the Month.

7th Nov: Clayton Crosby
5th Dec: Jesse V
2nd January: Phil Charman
6th February: Matt O’Leary

We’d love to have you join us as we celebrate great company, great music, food, and atmosphere in a stunning location! See you there!

John Mitchell grew up listening to much of the folk and pop classics of the 1960’s-70’s. In his opinion, that era of music is by far the best era for great songs this century. John began playing guitar at the age of eight, however it wasn’t until 2002 that he began playing to the public.

He was encouraged to play and sing by local musicians Marius Reynolds and Mark Patterson. John is currently performing in solo and duo shows.

Paul (Jasper) Craswell has been a musician since the mid-sixties, playing in various bands around London, touring the UK, Germany and France. He arrived in Sydney in 1982, played with Treacle Line and also a member of the Craz Band in the 80s and 90s. Since then he has played with many other fine musicians and bands, releasing 10 albums and CD’s.

We look forward to seeing you enjoy yourselves at the Visitor Centre.

Donella appeals to an audience ranging from children right through to grandparents, leaving them wanting more. She first impacted on country music releasing her debut album ‘Remember the Dance 2000’, performing as Donella Plane. This album produced three successful national radio hits.

On releasing her second album in 2001, Donella toured Australia and New Zealand extensively with top country music artists until 2007. She also won numerous nominations and awards as well as appearing on national television.

Some of the award highlights being:   

• T.I.A.R.A Awards
• Rising Female Star (Australian Independent CM Awards, Mildura, VIC)
• Tasmanian & N.Z Song Writing Awards
• Australian Bridal Industry Awards (Best Live Music)
• SMAA Achiever Awards
• Victorian National CM Awards “Duo” with Michael King
• Female Vocal (Australian Independent Country Music Awards, Mildura, VIC)

Following a break from 2007, Donella is back in demand at festivals across the nation to coincide with the release of her new album ‘The Colours of Me’, which is a fine mix of up-tempo impact songs and beautiful ballads to re-establish her as a top quality country music performer.

Donella had a highly successful 2009 Tamworth Country Music Festival with live performances and an overwhelming response to her new album. The first single from ‘The Colours of Me’ – STUBBORN has just been released on National Radio – So keep an eye on the Country Music Radio Charts.

We look forward to seeing you enjoy yourselves at the Visitor Centre.

Buddy Knox is a Tamworth local and his passion is playing the guitar. He has spent a good portion of his time on globe trotting touring adventures around Australia, Canada, London and Nashville. As a result of the amazing tours he was a part of, he has enjoyed enviable traveling and playing experiences, which very few musicians get to have!! This was in his famous father’s band, Roger Knox, “Euraba”.

He also played for the “Warumpi Band” at Festivals and at the Capital City ‘Big Day Out’ tours, as well as backing many other talented artists. For the past 12 months, Buddy has headed up his own rhythm and blues band, which he is really enjoying. This is a very seasoned array of musos.

He has a 14 track CD which is extremely attractive musically, and also in its’ layout.  Buddy’s CD has recently won the 2008 Newcastle Blues Album of the year. The CD is very popular with his audiences when he plays and he is looking forward to performing at the ‘2008 Dreaming Festival’s at Woodford. 

What a great way to see in the New Year! Come along for a relaxing day out on the green, sitting back with a glass of Blickling Estate wine and a BBQ lunch. We look forward to seeing you enjoy yourselves at the Visitor Centre.

Every 1st Sunday of the month, the Visitor Centre hosts free live music….Chris Langston will be playing on Sunday 29th March 2009. 

Hailing from NSW, Chris, from an early age, was exposed to a full range of country people and life. Having parents who valued their boomer upbringing and the pop, folk and rock mosaic of the sixties and seventies, gave Chris a broad base of musical influences. As a result, Chris has developed into a talented singer/songwriter with an eclectic taste in music, reflected in the catalogue of songs he writes and performs.

Chris has been performing as a solo artist since 2003 and has always incorporated a high percentage of his own material into his shows. In the past four years he has developed a powerful collection of his own material, with songs that can move and provoke and others that just sing to your soul.

His rich voice is his first instrument but his beloved Maton and the occasional electric sound of a Fender more than supplement it. Chris also plays a mournful harp.

Chris also plays blues in a duo that is versatile and fits a variety of pub, club, restaurant and support gigs. He also plays in local rock band called Grievance.

Chris has played in most of the major local venues around the area and has played with artist talents including Lawrie Minson, Randall Wilson, Matt Scullion, Daniel Conway, James Craswell, Katrina Burgyone, Sally Anne-Whitten, Matt O’Leary and Jeff Gibson.

His broad spectrum of gigs emphasis his musical aptitude, covering to date: ABC Regional Radio, New England North West, 2005 Country Music Festival, Tamworth Songwriter’s Nights, Rave 4 The Wave Concert, 2005 Toyota Battle of The Bands, Tamworth Country Music Busking Competition (2005) and weddings and parties.

Currently, Chris is building contacts within the music industry. He is enjoying the challenge of song writing and making a definitive mark in the industry.

Come and soak up the atmosphere with a glass of Blickling Estate wine. We look forward to seeing you enjoy yourselves at the Visitor Centre.

Haling originally from Sydney, Matt Scullion has travelled extensively across Australia, USA and India and has written and recorded songs for the likes of American legends in Nashville, USA, for Cathy Louvin, Mark Chestnut and Steve Ford; and in Australia for Tom Curtain and the Davidson Brothers, Tanya Kernaghan, Bobby Cash and Jonahs Road. In December 2006 Matt headed over to the Middle East to perform for the troops to boost morale.

Matt started his musical career at 16 with his first guitar purchase and has made the finals for best new talent at the Victorian country music awards, made the semi-finals and finals in the Music Oz awards at various times and has also been nominated for a Golden Guitar. He has also won various industry awards such as the ICE award (Independent Country Entertainer) for best country rock performance and has received rave reviews throughout his musical career as an independent artist and also with his various bands.

Matt and his band, The Lost Moments, headlined 4 big shows at the 2007 Tamworth Country Music Festival to great success and also signed a record/publishing deal with Rajon Music at the beginning of this year.

We look forward to seeing you enjoy yourselves at the Visitor Centre.

Every 1st Sunday of the month, the Visitor Centre hosts FREE live music……..Lawrie Minson, one of Tamworth’s esteemed musical artists will be playing at Banalasta, on Sunday 8th March 12-3pm.

Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Tamworth, Lawrie is a four times Golden Guitar winner and is the son of legendary radio broadcaster ‘Mr Hoedown’, John Minson. Lawrie has recorded and toured with the biggest names in the industry, Buddy Williams, Slim Dusty, Jimmy Barnes, James Blundell, Gina Jeffreys, Sara Storer, Ross Wilson and international superstar Trisha Yearwood, to name a few!

Lawrie has played on all of Lee Kernaghan’s albums and has been a member of his touring band for the past 15 years. Lawrie has also produced two albums for the ‘Indian Cowboy’, Bobby Cash.

Lawrie hosts a monthly songwriter’s night in Tamworth at The Vault and is co-ordinator of the annual Hohner Golden Harmonica championships. He has released several award winning albums including ‘Memories of Home’, ‘Family Tree’ and ‘In Another World’. Lawrie is presently recording a new album titled ‘Loves Journey” at ‘Fat Tracks’ studio in Tamworth.

We look forward to seeing you enjoy yourselves at the Visitor Centre.