Recent visitors to Stefano Lubiana Wines will have noticed that new vines are not the only additions to our property. Under the care and watchful eyes of ‘gardening guru’ Patrick Johnston, we have established a small orchard and veggie patch.

The orchard features a handful of varieties of apples, pears and stone fruits. It complements the organic vegetable garden now being raised on a newly developed site below the carpark.

Former vineyard manager Brendon Green has also been busy over spring. Thanks to his skill with the excavator, we now have around 0.5ha of land awaiting the planting of 140 olive trees.

What a treat it will be when we’re finally able to sit and enjoy the fruits of Patrick’s and Brendon’s labour at our new vineyard cellar door café. At this stage, construction of the 30-seat, family-friendly facility looks like getting under way early in 2011.

We’ll keep you up to date with its progress via the web site and subsequent vineyard newsletters.