Burnbrae Vineyard and Winery

About

Burnbrae is somewhat of a Mudgee icon known for its multitude of Award Winning Wines, historic Winemaker’s Cottage, old Peppertree (a popular backdrop to many a function and wedding), annual Black Tie extravaganza and warm Cellar Door experience. As the country town of Mudgee is rapidly gaining popularity for its rolling hills, vineyards, superb wines & food and locally produced delicacies, Burnbrae is increasingly a magnet for those ‘in the know’, So whether you are seeking exceptional hand crafted wines which offer both personality and regionality, wish to experience an authentic vineyard getaway in our Winemaker’s Cottage or yearn for a charming setting to host your function or wedding, Burnbrae is just what you’ve been looking for.

Location Description

Located in the heart of Mudgee, New South Wales.

Features

  • Wines with personality, regionality and character.

Additional Information

  • Meeting / Conference Facilities:
  • Caves:
  • Wedding Facilities:
  • Picnic Facilities:
  • Dog Friendly:
  • Winery Tours:
  • Wine Tasting:
  • Art or Architecture:
  • Organic / Biodynamic:
  • Awards:
  • Wine Club:
  • Lodging / Bed & Breakfast:

Winemaker

Lisa Bray joined the team in 2012. Lisa has just completed her 12th vintage, and was previously senior wine maker at Andrew Harris Vineyards. Before returning to Mudgee, she completed vintages in Turkey, Germany, New Zealand and the Hunter Valley.

Lisa developed an interest in winemaking whilst travelling and working internationally when she visited wine regions in France, Italy, Germany and Chile. After completing harvest work at Brokenwood Estate in the Hunter Valley in 1998, she embarked on an Oenology degree, completing a Bachelor of Applied Science at the University of Western Sydney.

In 2003 she completed her first vintage with Orlando Wyndham in Mudgee, working with traditional varieties such as Semillon, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet. Then to Europe fulfilling an ambition to make quality Riesling in the Pfalz region of Germany; thereafter back to the Hunter for a 2004 vintage with the Margan family wines. Followed by another 2004 vintage with Marlborough Valley Cellars in New Zealand, working predominantly with Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir.

After her vintages in Germany, New Zealand and the Hunter, Lisa returned to Mudgee to work with the family-owned wine producer Andrew Harris Vineyards in 2004 initially as Assistant Winemaker before taking over the role of Senior Winemaker from 2007 to 2011.

Lisa completed her 12th vintage with a 2011 European one in Turkey and a Mudgee 2012 vintage working with organic and preservative free wines. Back again in Mudgee she worked with Lowe Wines before joining chief winemaker Frank Newman at Burnbrae.

Her ethos – making wines of integrity that best represent the vineyards where the grapes are grown.

History

The owners of Burnbrae Tony and Jill Bryant were previously broad acre farmers who followed their love of wines to ultimately live their dream. In the years following the sale of their family farm they began looking for a vineyard to purchase that possessed the characteristics they believed would produce the most exceptional wines.

In 2004 they purchased Burnbrae, one of the oldest vineyards in Mudgee dating back to 1968. Situated alongside McDonalds Creek on the Hill End Road the vineyard and its mature vines offered the opportunity to ofster their love of wine and “create something special”. While not on the beaten track, Tony saw Burnbrae had “the potential to create wines with regionality and originality.” Add to this its significance in the regions wine making history and its picturesque and tranquil setting; it was exactly what they had been longing for.

This opinion was shared by veteran winemaker Frank Newman, who recognised Burnbrae as a vineyard with the potential to create some exceptional vintages of the future. Thus, a wonderful partnership was born between two men who are the epitomes of the perfect dichotomy; two very contrasting characters coming together to create something synergistic and wonderful. Tony is driven, flamboyant, cheeky and always buzzing with boundless energy.. In contrast Frank is reserved, analytical, and precise while sporting an encyclopaedia-like mind on Oenology and a delightfully dry sense of humour. Put together they not only produce Award Winning wines, they entertain the rest of the team with their endless quirkiness.

Their shared philosophy is to always maintain the integrity of each Boutique wine with individual focus on nurturing each vintage to bring out its finest characteristics. Like a piece of art.

The Team

Tony Bryant:

Born in the nearby town of Gulgong, Tony sold the family farm 14 years ago to pursue his desire to live, eat and breathe the world of wine. Having completed his studies in viticulture and marketing he went on to manage wineries in the Mudgee area, before starting his own consultancy business for vineyards.

Tony’s big picture for Burnbrae is to create a “must destination” as visitors enjoy “hand crafted boutique wines” that show true varietal style and flavour… “with the wines speaking for themselves”. He is very much hands on and whether organising a function showcasing all the wineries in the region or zooming around on a ride-on mower, he is always approachable, animated and above all passionate about wine and the Region.

Frank Newman:

Born in England, Frank arrived in South Australia (then Australia’s undisputed wine capital) as a teenager. Growing up in a family involved in the wine industry meant his passion for wine started young and has never waned since. Frank’s pedigree as a winemaker is first class, with the first half of a career (spanning 40 years) devoted to Penfolds, before choosing to become Chief Winemaker and Production Manager for Angove’s and a number of other wineries. With the Awards he continues to receive for both the Burnbrae wines (along with the ones Burnbrae produces for other wineries on a contract basis) he is undisputedly one of the most qualified winemakers in the region. His approach to winemaking is much like any artist creating a unique piece; He uses smell and taste as well as an intimate knowledge of the chemistry and process.

Frank’s big picture is to “see the fruit that’s grown end up in wines that in the future will be held up as Mudgee icons”. As most people in the region know how good the Burnbrae fruit is, it is now his desire to have it become better known throughout the NSW and Australia.

While Frank may have Rolls Royce qualifications, he prefers to be creating his masterpieces rather than discussing them and he is happiest keeping an eye on things from the background.

Katrina Gay:

The daughter of Tony and Jill Bryant, Trine has a degree in marketing and a vision for the next phase of the family business, whilst keeping with the tradition and rustic charm of Burnbrae. Having worked in Sydney for a major car rental company and now running her own consultancy, she shares her parent’s vision to produce exceptional vintages which are enjoyed by those seeking true personality and regionality in their wine.

Estate Vineyards / AVA

Burnbrae Vineyards have had several owners during its life time however in 1968 Allan Ellis and his wife Joyce took over Burnbrae and farmed the land, selling to the Turisse family who planted grapes in 1971. Wine production began in 1976 in an open-air winery situated under the shady peppercorn trees.

The name Burnbrae means “the field sloping down to a stream” which describes the picturesque location.

The Turisse’s planted about 20 acres of Black Muscats. A few years later they planted Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. They originally made the wine for personal use and sold table grapes and wine grapes to the markets.

A fully functional winery started to be developed in the 90’s and has progressively been added to over the years. The winery can now produce over 180 Tonnes a year.

The original well developed and cared for grapes continue to flourish within the vineyard; with the addition over the years of Merlot , Chardonnay and Tannat grapes.

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Hours

Open everyday from 10am to 4pm

Address

548 Hill End Road
Mudgee, New South Wales 2850
Australia

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