BERESFORD

BERESFORD WINES

- A CENTURY OF TRADITION IN WINEMAKING –

In 1896, the Horn brothers began what was to become over the next three decades a thriving highly successful international wine Company. The grand old bluestone cellars were built into a solid rock hillside – no mean feat in itself 100 years ago – to such an extent that half the building is actually underground providing wonderful naturally cool cellars.

The winery is built on four levels to take advantage of the slope and was originally intended to be a gravity fed operation with grape receival at the top and final despatch on the lowest level. Apart from the old operation equipment, the winery still stands in excellent condition today as a proud testament to the dedication and ambitions of its founders. The massive jarrah posts and karri floor-boards, reputedly hewn from old ship timbers and ballast, the 50cm thick local stone walls, old oak vats imported by the Horn brothers in 1902 and of course the resident friendly ghost – apparently the spirit of a dedicated cellar worker who died in the 1920’s – all exude a wonderful history which engulfs all who visit the imposing structure.

Despite a chequered history from 1930 until 1989 when the property was mostly used for spirit production and became the largest exporter of Australian Brandy, the winery has now been returned to its foundation principles of table wine production of the highest quality.

State of the art winemaking equipment was installed in 1989 with careful attention paid to retaining the Century-old character of the building itself. A unique blend of tradition, history and modern technology to ensure production of South Australian’s finest wines is the result.

Success in export markets in particular were so spectacular that Beresford in 1996 purchased land in the world famous Langhorne Creek region. 110 ha of vineyard comprising of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Petit Verdot and Sangiovese have been completed and will form the basis of the structure behind Beresford’s premium quality wines.

This will supplement contracted grape supplies from the McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Wrattonbully and the Adelaide Hills.

To ensure the very best production Beresford in 1998 also constructed a 5000 T Winery at Langhorne Creek. Using the very latest technology and equipment available, one of the best processing plants in Australia, has added another dimension to the ever-improving quality of Beresford Wines.

A fully automated modern bottling line complete with ineart cover has enabled Beresford to completely control its own estate production from grape to bottle.

All wines bearing the Beresford name are only produced from premium grape varieties grown in high quality recognised areas. The major component of each brand will come from the Company owned vineyards at Langhorne Creek ensuring soft, rich full flavoured wines of the highest quality.

As with the Horn brothers 100 years ago who won international recognition with their table wines, Beresford Wines is today a major contributor to Australia’s burgeoining export market with their wines currently able to be found in 16 countries throughout the world.

With the best of winemaking ability and 100 years of tradition behind them, all wines produced by Beresford Wines can be consumed with the utmost confidence.

BERESFORD WINES

The Beresford Winery, (formerly Horndale) at Happy Valley, the northern edge of the picturesque and wonderfully versatile Fleurieu Peninsula, was built in 1896.

Today the magnificent monument constructed on a grand scale from locally quarried stone, stands as an excellent testament to the wonderful foresight of the founders.

Beresford Wines was formed in 1985 by Robert and Bronwyn Dundon. In 1989 they and a group of investors including a large Dutch wine distribution company, purchased the abandoned Old Horndale Winery and prodeeded to refurbish it with most up to date, state of the art equipment and set about producing an extended range of excellent value for money premium quality wines.

In recognition of the original owners, many of Bereford’s ranges reflect the century of tradition behind the winery. For instance Crystal Brook is named after a pastoral lease the original owners held in the mid-north of South Australia; Beacon Hill is the local name given to the hill behind the winery which pilots coming in to Adelaide Airport in the early days, used to line up for descent; and the wonderfully complex range of Saint wines are named after the daughters of the first winemaker Hubert Percival Bosanquet – Helene, Estelle and Yvette. He obviously considered them little angles and hence we have blessed them with Sainthhood!

Rob Dundon has been making wine since 1975 and is very experienced at seeking out the best parcels of fruit and then ensuring the very best wine is made from them. All wines show intense, yet soft, supple fruit flavours which can be enjoyed by all.

To ensure the very best quality fruit goes into all products, the company also has 100 ha vineyards in the world-famous Langhorne Creek area producing Chardonnay, Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot and Pinot Noir.

With such a quality base, years of experience and the strength of a century of tradition and history behind them, any of the wines produced by Beresford Wines are well worth seeking out and enjoying their wonderful fruit flavours and drinkability.

WINEMAKER PROFILE

ROB DUNDON

Robert Dundon graduated from Adelaide University in 1974 with an Agricultural Science degree majoring in Horticulture and Biochemistry.

Immediately he was snapped up by Thomas Hardy & Sons as a quality control chemist at their Mile End complex.

Rob’s flair with winemaking was obviously easily recognisable as he was moved to the McLaren Vale Winery in 1976. His responsibility there was to produce all of Hardys leading brands of red wine and fortified wines as well as brandy distillation.

In 1982 he also assumed the mantle of winemaker responsible for the production of Chateau Reynella red wines, a company which had recently been acquired by Hardys.

In 1985 the urge to control his own destiny led to Rob leaving Hardys and commencing his own business BERESFORD WINES.

During his time at Hardys, Rob accumulated more than 650 medals from capital city wine shows including 100 gold and 19 trophies. This has since increased to well in excess of 1000 medals with both Beresford and the many other ranges currently under his control.

The 1986 Beresford Pinot Noir was adjudged the best of its variety from New Zealand and Australia in the International Wine Academy Competition in 1987. Beresford Chardonnay was also the first Australian wine to ever be served on Singapore Airlines in Business and First Class.