Jilly Wines founder Jared Dixon reveals Clunes winery, cellar door

A Northern Rivers winemaker has launched a bid to add a cellar door and farmstay to his popular business. He also wants to grow new varieties not before seen in the region.

Vineyards may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the fertile agricultural lands of the Northern Rivers but a Clunes resident with a passion for wine is hoping to change that.

Jared Dixon, who runs Jilly Wines and Clunes Store cellars, is embarking on a viticultural first by planting 13 varieties of vines not seen on the Far North Coast.

He has been using grapes from the New England region and Bolivia but will now try his luck with the fruits from a small patch in his label’s backyard.

The vineyard will employ varieties more common to Southern Italy, such as Grechetto, Fiano, Pecorino, Greco di Tufo, Moscato, Giallo and Lambrusco maestri.

Mr Dixon said the experimental project, which featured a development application for an accompanying cellar door and farmstay, had long been a dream of his.

“I guess it’s not your typical place to grow grapes given the humidity and rainfall but these varieties have been trialed in this sort of environment and this sort of rainfall,” he said.

“As wine drinkers and winemakers, our way of thinking has changed a lot since the 80s and 90s.”

He said people were drinking fresher, brighter wines and grapes could be picked earlier to avoid spoilage.

“We’re moving with the times in a way,” he said.

While there are currently about 1300 vines at the Bangalow Rd destination, development details show Mr Dixon hopes to grow the vineyard to about 9000 vines and produce 40-50 tonnes of grapes in a five-year time frame.

He said the development was perfect next step for Jilly Wines, which had an emphasis on sustainability.

“We can reduce our carbon footprint if we can grow everything on the property,” Mr Dixon said

“Hopefully it can become a sort of an educational hub for people who want to experiment with the varieties up here and we educate them how to plant.

“I’ve never been one to listen to what other people have to say, I’d rather see it with my own eyes.”

He said the project would likely start next year, pending development application approval.