OUR HISTORY

Mount Ophir Estate is steeped in wine history, beginning in 1891 when friends Adam Eisemann and Morty Gleeson began work on a farm and vineyard. Just two years later, the Burgoyne family - prominent wine merchants from London - purchased the property, recognising its potential as a winemaking powerhouse. Under their stewardship, Mount Ophir Estate flourished into one of Australia's most significant wine export operations, particularly known for its fortified wines sent to Britain.

By 1903, Mount Ophir Estate had become the largest state-of-the-art wine production facility in Australia, cultivating an impressive 280 hectares of Shiraz, Durif and Muscat. During this period, the Estate's striking architectural legacy also took shape, with the construction of several, now heritage-listed, buildings. Most iconic among them is the French provincial tower, a nod to the Burgoyne family's European heritage and a lasting symbol of Mount Ophir's grandeur.

However, changes to Australia's tax laws in the mid-20th century created a shift. In 1955, the Burgoyne family sold the property to a sheep farmer, who removed the vines for grazing and subdivided much of the land. A smaller portion - around 50 hectares - was later purchased by a bed and breakfast operator, who planted a modest Shiraz vineyard in the mid-1990's and managed the land under sustainable permaculture principles.

The next chapter of Mount Ophir Estate's history began in 2016, when it was revived by the Brown family - fourth-generation winemakers and owners of All Saints Estate and St Leonards Vineyard. Siblings Eliza, Angela and Nick Brown were drawn to Mount Ophir for its historic buildings, unique terroir and red clay-over-quartz soils, distinct from their other holdings in the region.

Over the years that followed, the Browns undertook an extensive restoration of the Estate's historic structures, including the once-grand winemaking facility at its heart. Their goal was clear - to honor Mount Ophir's storied past while building a vibrant a sustainable future.

The commitment came to life in March 2019, when the family celebrated their first harvest from Mount Ophir's single 0.5-hectare Shiraz plot - a small but significant milestone.

Hand-picked and hand-sorted by Nick and Eliza Brown, the fruit was crafted into wine using traditional, small-batch techniques: open fermentation, gentle plunging, basket pressing, and 19 months of maturation in French oak barrels from Saint-Martin and Boutes cooperages.

Perched at 190 metres above sea level on an east-facing slope with sweeping 360-degree views, the vineyard enjoys a slower, more even ripening period thanks to its east-west vine orientation and protective canopy. The red clay loam over quartz provides ideal water retention and contributes to the concentration and richness of the fruit. While not formally certified, the vineyard is managed with organic and sustainable principles - a continuation of the Estate's commitment to quality and care for the land.

Today, Mount Ophir Estate stands not only as a testament to Australia's winemaking heritage but also as a symbol of thoughtful revival and enduring passion. From its historic architecture to its boutique, handcrafted wine, Mount Ophir is once again a name of distinction in Rutherglen.