Company Overview:
Catherine Vale is a small family owned operation. 5 grape varieties are grown on the property. The vineyard was planted with Semillon and Chardonnay in 1993. In 1998 the red varieties Dolcetto and Barbera were planted and in 2002 Verdelho was grafted on a third of the Semillon, an additional 200 verdelho vines are used for making our Madeira. Present release is 7 years old.
Brand Name: Catherine Vale
Region: Hunter Valley
Closure: Stelvin
Winemaker: John Hordern of Hunter Wine Services at Muswellbrook
Catherine Vale presents a consistent quality and continuity of product – all vintages since our first in 1997 have received wine industry recognition.
The native copper tailed skink on the label inhabits the vineyard and typifies the care taken to produce a quality product allowing for environmental stability and also reflects the native bush surrounds on the property.
History
Bill and Wendy made many trips to the Hunter Valley prior to 1988 when the property was purchased. A further 5 years was spent learning how to be farmers and grape growers prior to the planting of grapes in 1993.
Planting was a task greater than we had imagined. We had 19 family and friends available for a long weekend during school holidays. We were school teachers in Sydney. Bill was the Sportsmaster of Knox Grammar School and had spent the best part of 36 years coaching Swimming, Track & Field and Rubgy with an incredible record of achievements with schoolboy athletes. Wendy was the teacher in charge of one of the NSW Education Departments Swimming Scheme Groups. Wendy originated from California and we had 4 children who were all musicians, athletes and students who have gone on to be world travelers. Our oldest daughter Belinda lives in Sydney, Kerry in the US in Vail Colorado, Jodie in Duisburg Germany and Gavin in Whistler Canada. They have all helped in small ways with developing the property but are not sure why we are so bent on hard labour!
The Property
The 100 acre property has 10 acres of vines which produce in the vicinity of 45 tonnes on average each year. Of this amount 30 % goes under the Catherine Vale Label and the rest is on sold through our winemaker John Hordern at Hunter Wine Services.
The property backs onto the Hunter Range and the Yengo National Park. Views from the property provide some of the best in the valley. Yellow Rock the famous rock outcrop standing guard over the region has a prominent position in the views from Catherine Vale.
Our Philosophy
We aim to produce the best possible grapes from our small holding. Attention goes into every aspect of the production. Our vines are meticulously pruned by us- taking up to 3 months. All cuts have been sprayed for the last 8 years a with a product which enhances plant health and vigour. We manage l the spray program and carry out all vineyard work.
We aim to produce grapes from our block which produce the best possible wine.
Our wines are produced by John Hordern in styles that we feel express our own personal likes in wine styles and not the trends. John has managed to develop over the 10 years a style which has proven to be most successful.
