Love and attention for historic vineyard

Glandore Wines in the Hunter Valley has signed an agreement to take over the management of the historic Maluna Vineyard.

“In a time when so many old vines are making way for alternative uses and land development, the ability to acquire the security of a long-term lease on a vineyard of historical significance in the Hunter Valley is not just a milestone for Glandore Wines and their passionate staff – it’s a win for the wine and tourism industries,” Glandore winemaker Nick Flanagan says.

“Significant resources will be required to bring the vineyard back to its former glory, but the team at Glandore are committed to leaving the vineyard in better shape than when they started, preserving the terroir, and championing the old vines.”

Maluna was first planted by the Wilkinson family in the 1860s and was a continuous vineyard until being removed in the first half of the century to become grazing country.

In the late 1960s Pokolbin’s devastating fires took their toll on Maluna, reducing the property to ashes.

Not until Don Maxwell then acquired the property in a fire sale in the late 60s, and began planting Shiraz, Pinot, Chardonnay and Semillon, did the property begin the return to its former glory.

For the following decade, the property produced estate grown wines up until the early 1980s.

Over the years Maluna has provided fruit to some well-known winemakers and labels including Brokenwood, McWilliams and Tower Estate.

Since 2006, the vineyard has been owned and operated under the Eagles Rest brand.

Sitting at over 200 metres above sea level, Maluna is the highest elevated vineyard in the Hunter Valley with the fruit spanning just under 50 of the 280 acre property.