Mia Valley Estate

Norbert and Pam Baumgartner both had indirect connections with wine, and a direct interest in drinking it. In 1998, after many years of searching for the right property, they discovered 40ha with softly undulating land and the Mia Mia (pronounced mya-mya) Creek running through it. They produced their first vintage, from 1.6ha of shiraz and cabernet, in their garage in 2002. Over the years they have built a winery, doubled plantings and grafted some vines over to riesling and malbec. Along the way Norbert completed winemaking and viticulture courses. They then contended with the '09 bushfires, the '11 rains, floods and disease, a '12 vintage more than they could handle, '14 decimated by frosts and late '15 and '16 severe drought. Are they giving up? No sign of it so far. They have been joined in the winery and vineyards by son Nick. Exports to the UK, the US, Japan and China. -JAMES HALLIDAY