Richfield Vineyard is located at the bottom of the ‘great diving range’ in the winegrowing region of New England, Australia. This 30-hectare vineyard is considered to be unique, because it produces Chardonnay, Verdelho, Semillon, Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet sauvignon, and Cabernet rubis.
Since the vineyard is situated at 700 metres in altitude, it benefits from a temperate climate with a humidity level that resembles certain French regions like Bourgogne.
These exceptional conditions, combined with granite soil, are ideal for the growth of vines. Richfield Vineyard combines old winemaking European methods with recent Australian technologies. Founded in 1990 by French Bernard Forey, its first vintage was commercialized in 2000.
John Cassegrain, son of a French immigrant, is Bernard’s partner and is one of the most respected and devoted Australian oenologists. He possesses over 30 years of experience in winemaking, from having worked in Australia as well as in several other countries. For 10 years, he worked for the wine producer Tyrells in Hunter Valley, New South Wales, in addition to having participated in the making of several vintages in the Burgundy and Bordelais regions.
Internationally renowned winegrower Richard Smart played a crucial role in the development of the Richfield Vineyard, and predicted that the ‘Richfield Vineyard will lead the way for the development of future vineyards in the New England region’.