Description
About Borrodell Wines
As a young man Borry purchased the property in 1965. The 135 acre property was at the time in a state of disrepair. The indigenous people must have looked on in horror as the once fertile the land had been cleared and ploughed exuberantly in the best European tradition. As a result much of the topsoil moved down the slope. Borry’s first task regenerating was to haul tens of thousand of meters of soil back up the slope from whence it came.
Erosion gullies were filled and soil conservation works put in place. Thousands of native and European trees were planted to create a food source, refuge and corridor for native birds and animals. Water now percolates down the well-vegetated slopes and into the reedbed wetlands before entering Lake Canobolas. At night the frogs croak loudly at the pleasure of living the Life of Riley in their wetland home. The increase in native animals and birds is seen as an opportunity rather than a menace.
Borry also planted commercial apples, cherries and plums, establishing a fruit supply business into Sydney and places beyond.
He was on the organising committee to instigate the formation of the Farmers Markets in Orange.
In the 1990s, Gaye married Borry and together they recognised a new direction was needed, transforming an orchard into a vibrant and exciting wine and fruit tourism business.
The commercial apple crops were replaced with an array of cold climate wine grapes vitis vinifera as it was becoming unmistakable that the Alpine climate was an outstanding environment for the production of grape growing.
Borry’s passion for conservation and preservation continued with the establishment of a unique collection of over 180 varieties of heritage apples and over 230 varieties of heritage plums – varieties that appeared in Shakespeare’s sonnets, and on the tables of Russian Tsars to name a few, which were now being sent out to a few select restaurants and enthusiasts across the country. Not a task for the faint-hearted but exciting and challenging! “We enjoy meeting new people and tackling new projects”.
In 2003, over 500 oak trees inoculated with Black Perigord truffles were planted and now Borrodell boasts having the oldest truffle trees on the “mainland” (they come from Tasmania).
The private property soon became public with the building of accommodation in 2002, and the establishment of “Sister’s Rock” restaurant in 2005.
In 2006 the building continued with the underground wine cellar, supposedly for the storage of all the wine that was being produced, however was soon filled up with brides, flamenco players, cabaret acts, truffle dinners and all sorts of good times.
Together Borry and Gaye operate this family-run business, sharing the tranquility and magic with visitors who can also enjoy and experience living on a working orchard and vineyard at this picturesque rural retreat.
