In 1968, Peter and Carolyn Auld were looking for a property where they could raise their children. They had enjoyed regular picnics in the valley near Ebenezer, a valley that had been devoted to vineyards in the late 1800s under the direction of Italian born surgeon Thomas Fiaschi, and were familiar with this part of the world.
The Aulds were able to purchase the old ruins of the sandstone winery, built by Fiaschi in 1887, from an American film producer who had used them as a film set. They set about restoring the fine old building, using building materials from such places as an old warehouse in Rhodes and leadlight windows and cedar doors from the church manse which used to exist at I York Street in the city.
In 1980 Peter and Carolyn purchased additional land to plant out a vineyard and olive trees and Peter (an industrial chemist by training) undertook a wine making course through Charles Sturt University. Five acres of land are devoted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Petit Verdot and Aleatico. Aleatico is an Italian variety of grape, originally introduced by Dr Fiaschi, and Tizzana is one of only three vineyards which grows this variety.
Not only does Peter produce wine under his own label, he is also the winemaker for Jubilee Vineyard Estate across the road and five other vineyards. Fortunately different varieties ripen at different times so that he can juggle this responsability quite well but harvest and bottling must be frantic nonetheless. Fortunately, in a story that is not that common on the Farm Gate Trail, Peter is assisted by his two children, Gillian and Jonathan, and of course by his wife Carolyn.
Not only do they run a vineyard/winemaking enterprise, but the Aulds also run beautiful bed and breakfast accommodation for visitors to the Hawkesbury. Peter calls this "agri - tourism" a wonderful term to denote the cross selling potential between agriculture, produce and tourism.
At harvest time, 20 or so friends join Peter and Carolyn over three weekends to hand pick the grapes. A long lunch inevitably follows.
Such is life in a vineyard - hard work and convivial get togethers!
Tizzana Winery
518 Tizzana Road Ebenezer
02 45791150
Please visit the Hawkesbury Harvest website
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