Brindabella Hills Winery offers the ultimate tree change

A country lifestyle on the Murrumbidgee River close to Canberra, with a limitless supply of wine makes for a compelling tree change option.

This magnificent 80-hectare Wallaroo property offers a kilometre of river frontage, a sprawling four-bedroom home, a winery and cafe.

Brindabella Hills Winery offers new owners a wide range of lifestyle and business development opportunities.

Homeowners Faye and Roger Harris, both with science backgrounds, bought the property in 1987 as part of a passion to grow vines.

“It was just sheep grazing country back then, but there was some good soil that could sustain grapes and that’s what we were after,” Faye says.

“We experimented with pinot noir, shiraz, riesling, chardonnay and sangiovese.”

And they had success with their wines earning up to five stars from respected critic, James Halliday.

The house was built first, followed by the 600-square-metre winery in 1989 with Roger as winemaker on the back of an oenology degree. Cellar door sales were later introduced and around 2012 the cafe was opened.

Both businesses are now leased to third parties as the Harrises move toward retirement.

Faye says the property has given them an enviable lifestyle, but they had certainly worked hard to realise their vision.

“It’s been a great place to live. One of our boys still loves to have a fish on the river and catches some big Murray River cod and perch,” she says.

“Business-wise, there are a number of options for a new owner.”

Faye says the winery is a popular event venue for weddings and the function side of the business could definitely be expanded.

There is also potential for bed and breakfast accommodation to be developed.

Mark Johnstone of Ray White Belconnen says the main attraction of the property was two-fold.

“There’s the lifestyle aspect. It’s a great tri-level home with four bedrooms and a study, spacious living areas, all packaged within an aspect that has fabulous views over the river and of the surrounding Brindabella ranges,” he says.

“Then there’s the business aspect with some five hectares under vine that annually produces 15 to 20 tonnes of grapes.”

Johnstone says interest in the unique property has been running high with a variety of potential purchasers.

“It’s got broad appeal. I’ve had enquiries from people in the wine industry, those interested in rural properties, and those who live in the area and love the river frontage,” he says.