Description
About Rosby Wines, Mudgee NSW
When Kay and Gerald Norton-Knight first moved into a ramshackle pisé cottage on 80 acres, called ‘Rosby’, outside of Mudgee as newlyweds in 1983, they dreamt of making a home and raising a family. Five acres of garden and four daughters later, Gerry began planting grapevines on the sheltered, sloping block he’d been eyeing off for years, officially calling himself a vigneron when his first cabernet buds burst in 1996.
Rosby Wines are the epitome of low-impact viticulture and truly boutique wine production. Borne from 15 acres of cabernet sauvignon and shiraz grapes — planted in 1995 and then pruned and picked by hand — the vineyard is carefully managed to produce high-quality, low-yield single vineyard wines.
Varietals are pressed in small parcels at a local winery, and lovingly tended by both vigneron and winemaker to produce fine, fruit-driven wines designed to age well.
The 2009 vintage saw the addition of a deliciously sticky liqueur port and in 2011 a refreshing rosé added to the Rosby cabernet and shiraz staples. In 2014, new blocks of riesling, chardonnay and sangiovese were planted as a future complement to the reds already in the cellar.
The small fruit yields underpinning the Norton-Knight’s low-impact farming philosophy mean that Rosby wines won’t always found in bottle shops. Instead, orders are taken online, by phone, email, or by literally knocking on Kay and Gerald’s door.