Our Journey. Still Writing It.
Every great wine tells a story. Ours started with 5,000 neglected vines, a leap of faith, and ten years of learning what this land is truly capable of. Here is our journey — so far.
2016
Wild Vines Estate purchased
We found 63 acres of neglected vines in Broke Fordwich. The mountains were majestic. The vines were a mess. We said yes anyway.
2016
5,000 vines cut back to the graft
We removed the non-performing vines and cut the remaining 5,000 back to the graft. Starting from nothing, on purpose.
2018
First grapes sold
Our vines produced their first commercial harvest. Word spread quickly — the Chardonnay was something special.
2019
We made the move
Left Sydney behind and moved to the Hunter Valley full time. The vineyard became home.
2020
Bushfire season
Smoke blanketed Broke Fordwich for several months. The entire harvest was lost. We regrouped and kept going.
2021
Unruly Wines is born
We made our first wine under the Unruly label — the 2021 'Wild' Chardonnay. A wild ferment that changed everything.
2022
Floods hit the vineyard
The township of Broke flooded. Our vines went under. Three months of clean-up before we could tend a single row. The vines survived.
2022
New releases — Shiraz & Blanc de Blanc
Our winemaking expanded — the 2022 'Complexity' Shiraz and our first 2022 'Blanc de Blanc' joined the Unruly family.
2023
First Chambourcin
The 2023 'Gully Row' Chambourcin — our first estate red variety. The super grape that endured everything the season threw at it.
2024
Verdelho & Cintilante launch
The 2024 'High Ground' Verdelho and 2024 'Cintilante' Sparkling joined the collection. Our range was complete.
2025
Late frost takes the Chardonnay
A cruel late frost wiped out the Chardonnay vintage. Another lesson from the land. Another year of resilience
2026
DA approved for cellar door
Planning approval granted to build our cellar door on the property. The next chapter begins.
2026
Hail hits the Chambourcin
Late season hail wiped out the Chambourcin. The vines are already recovering. So are we.
