OUR VINEYARD

Bunjurgen Estate is a 60-acre property situated 10 km south of the township of Boonah - about an hour's drive southwest from Brisbane.

A number of special places have been named at Bunjurgen Estate and each have their special story.

The Flat

The Flat is a 20-acre paddock which is farmed and which produces a range of principally silage crops.

Summer corn and winter oats, and other rotational crops are the principal sowings.

The Flat is the site of the underground water used to provide irrigation for the vineyard and gardens around the Home and Barrel Room.

The Happy Home

The home at Bunjurgen Estate was brought to the property in 1947 and is half of a once much larger house. Since 1947 it has been occupied by a variety of owners, and tenants: and stories abound locally of the various goings-on over that period of time.

Since the establishment of Bunjurgen Estate, the house has been home to not only the owner, but also a variety of people who have worked particularly hard in establishing the property and who have visited the vineyard and Barrel Room.

Consistently the comment has been made about how happy the home and surroundings are, and how tranquil and pleasant and well kept the property is. Hospitality is legendary, and raised voices and arguments have never been heard.

The Foxes’ Den

Foxes are frequently seen in the general area of Bunjurgen and a den was located at Bunjurgen Estate.

A clever mother Fox was witnessed bringing up several cubs from the security of a well hidden and semi underground hide.

Over a period of several weeks this Fox family was observed and then, one day, a clever Mrs Fox and her cubs had disappeared.

The area is now known as the Foxes’ Den.

Kangaroo Gully

Kangaroos are constant visitors to Bunjurgen Estate. These large grey or forest kangaroos come in mobs of 6 to 8, and there are innumerable areas in which to forage and live in the general area of Bunjurgen.

Bunjurgen Estate has an abundance of surface water both in the general vicinity and on the property in the form of a deep dam.

Kangaroos are frequently seen living for periods of days in the vicinity of the Bunjurgen Estate dam and the gully surrounding it, hence the name Kangaroo Gully.

The Dingo Hole

There is a semi permanent waterhole on Bunjurgen Estate in an old watercourse of Teviot Brook.

A Dingo family has made this waterhole its annual whelping spot and in a well camouflaged hide, under the roots of a tree, several generations of Dingo pups have been observed to begin life.

The waterhole has been named The Dingo Hole.

The Aliens Landing

One particular spur line at Bunjurgen Estate lends itself to circular slashing and in consequence, when viewed from afar appears to be a series of circles.

One visitor to the vineyard commented that it looked like a landing spot for aliens, and that precaution should be taken in case alien Martians attempted to raid the Barrel Room!

Obviously the name has been adopted for this particular spot.

The Aliens Landing has a historical association with the vineyard as it was the site of the first ever morning tea when the property was purchased, and it has reputed special powers which have been reported by visitors who have enjoyed wine tastings in the late afternoon, evening and early mornings.

The Big Chook

When viewed from the right direction, we have a tree which resembles a rather large chook.

A little more imagination has the smaller tree to the right of the Big Chook being an equally large dimensioned chick!

The Ironbark Forest

Bunjurgen Estate has a range of both narrow and broadleaf ironbark trees and a range of tree ages has been established with the goal of ensuring that selected seed trees are naturally propagating and that young saplings are encouraged to survive.

Possums, kangaroos, dingoes, parrots of a wide variety of types, butcher birds, wedge tail eagles, darts, bronze wing pigeons, wild ducks and the ever present crows are part of a kaleidoscope of activity within this ironbark forest.

The trees provide shade, protection from the wind, soil stability, homes and sanctuaries, and are critical part of the oxygen replenishment of our planet and the ecosystem of Bunjurgen Estate.

The Vineyard

The vineyard comprises 2200 vines that are planted in three blocks, separated by contour banks and access roads. Both hail and bird netting protect the vines. Each row is approximately 150 metres long and vine separation distances are 1.5 metres.

The vineyard is testimony to some very hard work by a great variety of people. Friends and relations assisted with the planting and aspects of the vineyard establishment, local contractors providing specialised irrigation, fencing, and hail and bird netting expertise.

There is a quality culture prevalent within the vineyard and evidence based approaches to viticulture are used based on current best practices.

Visitors are welcome to walk within the vineyard, vehicles are prohibited to ensure that introduction of weeds do not occur.

The Barrel Room

The Barrel Room is the name given to the area where wine tasting and social activities take place.

It is called the Barrel Room because it has a large number of barrels in it that serve as very effective bar tables, leaning posts, display stands, atmosphere creators, and talking points.

It is the site of great activity, great enjoyment and stands as a testimony to the power of social intercourse.

The Cool Room

The Cool Room is an essential part of the Bunjurgen Estate enterprise.

It is the area in which bottled wine is stored at optimal temperatures and provides a haven for both Alaskan Malamutes and vineyard staff and visitors during the hot summer months.

It is an ideal place in which to conduct summer wine tastings, and has a large window from which is possible to observe the comings and goings at the vineyard.

The Cool Room is equipped with a number of barrels that provide the necessary ambience to cater for temperature controlled summer wine tastings!!