Bill Byron Wines

The Findley family are farmers in the Central Ranges GI, NSW. In 1998 William (Bill) Bryon Findley began planting the now 60ha vineyard as a diversification from the core business. The intention was to simply sell the grapes, but changes in the marketplace led to changes both in viticulture (moving to organic viticulture, certification following in 2013) and the making of the first vintage in that year. Son Robin and daughter-in-law Yvonne now own the vineyard, planted to 26ha of shiraz and 17ha each of cabernet sauvignon and merlot. They have recruited James Manners, a man about Mudgee for decades as winemaker, and have developed a striking label design with various hidden meanings. Last, but not least, they have appointed Oatley Fine Wine Merchants as their distributor, the winemaking and bottling carried out at Robert Oatley Vineyards' Mudgee winery. -JAMES HALLIDAY