The Yarra Valley was Victoria’s first wine growing district – with a history stretching back nearly 180 years.  Vines were first planted in 1838, and viticulture spread rapidly through the 1860s and 1870s.  However increased demand for fortified wine saw Yarra Valley wine production cease in 1921.  Replanting began in the late 1960s and by the early 1990s the area under vines passed the high point of the 19th century.

The Yarra Valley is now recognised as one of Australia’s foremost cool climate wine producing regions, capable of making classic styles from a wide range of varieities.  The Yarra Valley offers fine sparkling wines, exceptional Chardonnay, complex Pinot Noir and world class Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

In 1892 Dame Nellie Melba’s father, David Mitchell planted vineyards at Stringybark Creek.  Plantings reached nearly 1000 acres by the turn of the century.  This includes the current site of ‘Stringybark Creek Vineyard’.

The property covers 10 hectares and consists of eucalypt woodlands with mixed vegetation along the stream frontage. Approximately six hectares are under vines and four hectares are used for mixed cropping (flowers and vegetables) plus an apiary. The sanctuary has two spring fed dams, providing a vital water source for local wildlife, and is bordered by Little Stringybark Creek which is an environmentally sensitive area and home to endangered growling grass frogs (Litoria raniformis).

The owner/directors John Cougle and Kylie West have made a commitment to producing chemical free produce within a permaculture environment.  The focus is on farming with a conscience. 

The property is a dedicated wildlife sanctuary registered with Land for Wildlife and the Steam Frontage Management program and we have recently applied for organic certification.  It is our intent to continue to use the property for the benefit of the local environment, and we plan to revegetate the land surrounding the creek.

Wildlife species known to habitat the property include bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus) and many types of frogs. Stringybark Creek Vineyard is also home to a wide variety of birds including superb fairy-wrens (Malurus cyaneus), sulphur-crested cockatoos (Cacatua galerita), scarlet robins (Petroica boodang), crested bellbirds (Oreoica gutturalis), owls, finches and native ducks.

ABN: 822 6384 8605

Stringybark Creek Farm Investments Pty Ltd as trustee for Stringybark Creek Farm Trust

 ACN: 614 032 405

Trading as Stringybark Creek VIneyard, Stringybark Creek Produce & Stringybark Creek Honey