A Dream Realised . . .

It was a warm and sunny day in 1988 in the town of Yering, in the Yarra Valley. I looked into the hills that surrounded me, the majestic, sweeping plains and felt the luckiest man alive. I had planned and dreamt of this day for many years. A streamline of poles and wire lay beside me along with a humble post digger, there was a lot of work to be done. I had a fire in my belly and a passion I had not felt before. I thought about the pioneers who had worked this land before me, over a century ago.

My family had purchased 200 acres of prime farming land, and my father had graciously succumbed to my constant pleadings of giving me the corner 5 acre block. I'd worked on the family orchard since my early years, I knew how to grow fruit, I knew how to gro it well. As the post hole digger hit the ground my heart was punding, I was doing it, it was happening, I was to plant my vineyard. I'd spent months investigating the other vineyards to see how they did it, jumped fences in the middle of the night to check how far apart the plantings should be. What was the best canopy system? Would I irrigate? What grape varieties would I grow?

I'd had four successful vintages, selling the fruit to larger vineyards. The fruit was superb, rich in colour, intense with flavour and greatly sought after. It was now time to experiment with my own wines. What barrels should I use? What bottles? What fermenting tanks? How would I label my wine?

I knew what I had to do, I'd make red and white wines under the Yering Farm label. I'd make an exclusive boutique range and distribute it selectively. I would personally control each stage of production, handcraft each bottle of wine and it would be exceptional. I realised the first bottle of Yering Farm wine in 1992. I was so proud.

The demand for the Yering Farm range was growing. I planted another 30 acres of vineyard and soon realised I'd need to build a Cellar Door. It would need to be ideally situated to enjoy the majestic views of the Yarra Valley. I didn't need to look far, for there at the top of the hill, overlooking the vineyard stood the rustic old hay shed. Needing some work, it had all the character and charm of the farm. I would hand the original "Yeringa Vineyard" sign over the Cellar Door entrance.

Yering Farm Wines has grown with distinction and recognition within the industry and wine drinking public. Our Yering Farm 2000 Pinot Noir recently won the Gold Trophy at the Victorian Wine Show for "Best Pinot Noir". When I released the 2000 Pinot Noir I had hoped it would be appreciated as the distinctive Pinot Noir I beleived it to be. It has complexity, balanced with soft French oak tannins; rose and oak overtones are followed by cherry and spicy characteristics. Our Yering Farm 2000 Pinot Noir was also rated highly in Winestate, but I still could not beleive I had acheived the ultimate recognition of winning the overall Gold Trophy for "Best Pinot Noir". It has been a dream realised.

Alan Johns - Winemaker, Yering Farm Wines