Judy and Bernie Cooper announce retirement from Crane Winery Kingaroy

After more than 25 years, including 16 under the management of its current owners, one of the South Burnett’s most renowned vineyards has confirmed it will close its cellar doors. Full details:

It’s an end of an era for winemaking in the South Burnett. After more than 25 years, the cellar doors at Crane Winery will close for the last time in a matter of just weeks.

Owners Judy and Bernie Cooper took over the vineyard in 2005 when the former Brisbanites were on the hunt for a tree change.

“We decided there must have been another way of living our lives,” Bernie said.

“We saw (the vineyard) advertised, Judy loved the property and we thought we could do the winemaking because we both had science backgrounds. We fell right into it.”

Crane Winery owners and winemakers Bernie and Judy Cooper celebrate their retirement at the vineyard near Kingaroy. Picture: Dominic Elsome

The learning curve was still steep for the couple who faced multiple droughts during their time at the helm.

But despite the challenges, the pair said they have no regrets.

“We’ve had a lot of fun here, it’s a brilliant place to live and honestly if we weren’t getting close to our dotage we would be sticking around,” Bernie said.

Sitting on the Booie range, the boutique winery was set up in 1996 by John Crane on the site of grand old colonial homestead.

The Coopers explained the climate and rich, “excellent” soil in the Burnett made for perfect grape-growing conditions, a fact lost on many visitors and even locals.

“A lot of people are very surprised when they come out and see the wineries,” Bernie said.

Crane Winery owners and winemakers Bernie and Judy Cooper. Picture: Dominic Elsome

On top of enjoying their work, the Coopers explained the property made for a wonderful social life, with some of the favourite memories being of visits by friends.

“It’s the best place to invite all your friends to come and live with you for a while,” Judy said.

“We had friends up during the 2013 floods, and all the roads got cut going back to Brisbane.

“All of our best friends were here for a week while waiting for the floods to go down and that was brilliant.”

But all good things must come to an end.

Crane Winery owners and winemakers Bernie and Judy Cooper celebrate their retirement, April 8, 2022, at their vineyard near Kingaroy. Picture: Dominic Elsome

The pair attempted to sell the property off as the business pre-Covid but failed to find a buyer.

So when the time came earlier this year to put it back on the market, the Coopers made the decision to sell up as a the property, and it was sold just four days later.

The couple plans to head to Toowoomba to enjoy their well-earned retirement with Bryn the cellar dog, even if the eight-year-old spaniel will miss the extra pats from visitors.

The winery’s final day of trading will be April 24, with a big garage sale on the following weekend.