In their courting days in 1985 Mark Gilmore and Christine Stevens planted the initial Gilmore Vineyard. This occurred after many late night discussions over some outstanding wine with Graeme Leith and Sue McKinnon at Passing Clouds. The Gilmores owned a block north of the Creek and Graeme advised the deep alluvial soils and cool climate were well suited to growing red wine grapes. The well drained
mix of soil had been prepared for planting by hard working gold prospectors from all corners of the globe searching for the illusive nuggets. The vineyard site had more recently been cultivated by wild swings. It was home to the Kingower Golf Classic in the late 70s a truly rural affair played over 4 very tough holes. After the bonding experience of establishing a vineyard over a very wet, windy and cold winter, Mark and Christine subsequently married. Over the next 25 years with the help of their daughters Kerryn and Jessica, plus family and friends, they grew their unirrigated Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, the fruit going to Passing Clouds
The Kingower Vineyard South of the creek was established in the 1980’s with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot planted by Bill and Margaret Humphries. Mark and Christine purchased the Kingower Vineyard from Dodger and Maxine Burns in 2012
Winemaking expert Cam Leith now makes the handpicked fruit from the two vineyards on either side of the creek into this “Both Banks” red wine .It shows characteristic strong fruit flavours, typically produced by the old vines growing in the rich Red Clay and alluvial gravel creek bank soils here at Kingower. The Riparian Zone the vines grow in, adds depth and complexity to the strong berry fruit characteristics. Often a hint of mint is visible as the grapes grow in Kingower protected by the surrounding Forest Eucalypts
