Bellholme: From our family farm to you.
We’re a family-run vineyard and farm in Avonmore, just outside Bendigo. Alongside our Merino sheep, we grow grapes using biodynamic principles and produce small batches of wine that reflect the land, seasons and our story.
Family farming timeline
As the days go by, how did we get here?
A Love Unearthed
Deep underground in the Bendigo mines, we discovered we shared a love of farming, being home everyday “Living the dream”.
A New Horizon
We started life together on a twenty-acre hill near Sutton-Grange, our family arrived, then we moved to Goornong as our farm expanded.
Farm Flourishes
Our commercial sheep flock transformed into a Merino sheep stud ‘Avonmore Poll Merinos’, and we moved to Avonmore Estate.
Vineyard Vision
Acquiring a 30 year old biodynamic vineyard, we expanded our farming knowledge and started producing ‘Bellholme’ wines.
Our approach
Like most farmers, we spend a lot of time talking about the weather and what the next season will bring. We believe that good wine starts with healthy soil, so we farm as simply and thoughtfully as we can, working alongside nature rather than trying to control it.
Our vineyard sits among our paddocks in Avonmore, between the Campaspe River and Bendigo Creek, known as “Bellholme country” where we also run Merino sheep. Every season is different, and that’s exactly the way we like it. The wines we make reflect the ancient Campaspe riverbed sandy loam, what’s going on in the vineyard, and the seasonal conditions that come our way.
The farm behind Bellholme wine
Avonmore Estate is more than a vineyard to us – it’s home.
Like any farm, there’s always something to do. We spend our days looking after the vines, caring for our sheep and working with the seasons rather than against them. Some years are easier than others, but that’s all part of farming.
We feel incredibly fortunate to be looking after this piece of country, and we’re committed to leaving it in better condition than we found it. The wines we produce are simply an expression of the land, the season and the work that goes into caring for both.
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We'd love to hear from you
Whether you’re interested in our wines, or simply following along with life on the farm, we’d love to hear from you.