Balgownie Estate celebrates 50 years of wine with festival

The Maiden Gully winery - which has become one of the largest wine producers in the region - was teeming with people on Saturday as they tasted wines and cheese.

Head winemaker Tony Winspear said it was great for the public to celebrate 50 years of hard work.

"It has been very successful over the years," Mr Winspear said. "It all started with the vision of our founder, Stuart Anderson.

"He went to a great deal of effort to select an excellent vineyard site, along with the high quality grapes."

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Mr Winspear started his career at Balgownie Estate in 1994 as a cellar and vineyard hand.

After working as a vineyard consultant for Yellowglen and Mt Ida Vineyard, he returned to Balgownie where he was appointed head winemaker in 2012.

Mr Winspear said while the estate was happy to reflect on the past 50 years, it was also important to look at the next 50.

"You always look to the future and find ways to refine what you know," he said. "We are making adjustments to combat issues like climate change. We are using sustainable farming practices, like organic mulching."

Mr Winspear said for vineyards like Balgownie Estate to prosper, there needed to be the continued support of people in the region.

"At the end of the day, we're farmers as well so it's important that people go out and support their local producers," he said.

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