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Robinsons at
Heather Robinson comes from a family of winemaking tradition. Formerly Heather Salter her family established Saltrams Winery (W. Salter&Son) and it was in their family from 1859 to 1950. In 1975 John and Heather did an extensive wine study tour of Western Europe covering France (Champagne, Loire, Bordeaux< Burgundy, Alsace, Macon/Beaujolais, Rhone Valley), Germany (Rhein, Mosel), Italy (Piemonte, Chianti) and Austria.
John and Heather introduced into
Queensland the premium grape varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet
Sauvignon, to complement existing Shiraz plantings. In addition to these
varieties, they have plantings of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Gamy Beaujolais,
Sauvignon Blanc, Traminer and Semillon. They now have 30 acres under vine. Their
first commercial vintage was in 1975, when they won a Gold Medal at the Brisbane
R.N.A. Show with a Cabernet/Shiraz/Pinot Noir blend. In the last ten years their
"methode champenoise" sparkling wine made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes
has been a consistent state medal winner and interstate trophy/medal winner. |
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Robinsons Family Vineyards is
a winery and vineyard established by John and Heather Robinson in 1969 at
Ballandean on the Granite Belt, 10 kilometres north of the Queensland and New
south Wales border. From 1963-1966 John Robinson lived and worked in Beaujolais,
Burgundy and Bordeaux, here his passion for wine began. In 1971 he did a vintage
with the Hunter Valley pioneer Max Lake at Lakes Folly and in 1974 made his
first wine.