Avonmore Estate may be one of Victoria’s youngest wineries, but it’s leading pack when it comes to developing a niche market using alternative farming methods.
Avonmore Estate’s wines are bio-dynamic and owners Rob, Pauline and Shaun Bryans pride themselves on creating a totally natural product.
The Bryans’ property is between Goornong and Elmore and apart from the vineyard, which is increasing in size every year, is also used to raise sheep and beef cattle.
The Bryans planted their first grape vines in 1996 and produced their first wine in 2001.
They are now busily promoting their unique product at events such as last weekend’s Eaglehawk Dahlia and Arts Festival.
Avonmore Estate is one of only two bio-dynamic vineyards in Victoria
Rob Bryans said his business catered for a distinct niche market and the product is in high demand, particularly overseas.
“It is really starting to take off. We have been approached Australia-wide and internationally as well. We are slowly taking it a bit at a time”.
“We got into the wine industry not because it was a fad. although we are riding on the crest of that, but we had had a genuine interest in it for many years.” he said.
Mr Bryans said the family was keen to employ alternative farming methods which were better for the enviroment and more sustainable than traditional European-style farming.
“We don’t use chemicals and we know it is a substainable enviroment. It is naturally produced.”
” I come from a conventional farming background and I always knew there was an alternative in the way I was taught to do things,” Mr Bryans said.
The Bryans produce some of the their wine and the remainder is sent to a bio-dynamic certified contractor.
A selection of their wines will be on show at a London trade fair soon.
Mr Bryans said he hoped other farms across Asutralia started to consider alternative farming methods.
“We have been doing it for a long time now and Australia wide there are a lot of farms growing produce this way and exporting it throughout the world.”
He said once accreditation was achieved through the Bio-Dynamic Research Institute, which garantees a certain standard, a market for the product was easily found.
“We have niche market, but we didn’t plan for it to be that way. What we are trying to prove is that it (bio-dynamic farming) can be done.” Mr Bryan said.
Avonmore Estate recently opened it’s cellar door and booking can be made on 5432 6291.
The estate is a 5 kilometres south of Elmore on the Midland Highway.
