2004 Botrytis Pinot Gris Winner - Gold Medal and trophy for Best Wine in Show Inaugural 2005 Southern Highlands Wine Show
Winner - Bronze Medal at the 2006 Australian Boutique Wine Show

Mount Ashby Estate - History

Situated on Nowra Road between Moss Vale and Fitzroy Falls, Mount Ashby is a boutique vineyard producing Pinot Gris, Merlot and Chardonnay. The vineyard is situated on the north facing slopes of Mount Ashby (height of 700 metres) and is surrounded by grazing dairy cattle. The cellar door opened in June 2006 with plans further on to sell cheese made from milk produced from this and an adjoining property.

This land and around 10000 acres around it were part of the original grant to the Throsby family one of the first settlers in the area. His shepherd was Jemmy Moss after whom Moss Vale is named. One of the original Throsby houses is still located on the top of Mount Ashby above the vineyard.

The name for Mount Ashby goes back in time to 1066 and the Battle of Hastings. A certain Baron de la Zouche was, for services rendered in that battle, given a grant of land in Leistershire. He married an Ashby and built Ashby Castle near the town of de la Zouche in Leistershire. The Throsby family, we understand, were directly decended from this union and, as was their custom, they named the hill on the property after the castle in Leistershire.

About Us

In 1999 Chris and Sally Harvey (Sally Beresford) purchased the property, Mirrabooka, one of the earliest developed dairy farms in the Southern Highlands. The property was specifically selected for the growing of cool climate grapes and for its similarity in climate and topography to parts of the Burgundy region.
Merlot and Pinot Gris were selected as the most appropriate varieties and the most suitable root stock was purchased to achieve maximum growth and development in the early years. A small planting of chardonnay followed.
The property still supports dairy cattle (Holsteins), as well as having one of the largest private plantations of gingko in Australia.
The cellar door, completed in June 2006, is housed in a replica of the original dairy, with plans in place to sell a range of cheeses produced from milk from this and an adjoining property.
The architecture is a blend of French provincial and early Australian, and is in sympathy with our involvement in the importation and restoration of French Antique furniture of which examples will always be on view in the cellar door.

The Produce Store

The cellar door area includes the relocated Bowral Produce Store (circa 1918). This store was relocated from Banyette Street in Bowral (where ALDI is now situated) and rebuilt piece by piece on the Mount Ashby property in 2003. Originally built in the early part of the 20th century, the Davis family ran it as a produce store from the early 20s to 1988, after which it was used for the restoration of antiques. It was used as the film set for the Ginger Meggs movie and is an important part of the heritage of the Southern Highlands. The store is now used to restore provincial antique furniture and where European antique furniture can be viewed, including Provincial 17th to 19th Century antiques sourced from France & other parts of Europe. Also on display are some of the uniquely crafted French Farmhouse tables made exclusively from hand selected European timbers.

Wine

Christopher Harvey - Vintner
2003 Merlot - the 2003 Merlot was hand picked in April following a long mild summer. The resulting cool climate Merlot reflects a bouquet of cedar matched with berries. These characters follow on to the palate, with nuances of vanilla, subtle Bordeaux characters and a nice tannic finish.

2003 Pinot Gris reflects the elegant flavours relating to the terroir showing pear skin and apricot on the nose, with a hint of figs. These flavours continue through onto the palate, with lovely mouthfeel and a drying texture. The wine is long with a soft viscous finish. All our grapes are hand picked, then fermented in Central Forest French barriques.(SOLD OUT)

2004 Chardonnay is a complex and textured wine achieved as a result of wild yeast and 100% barrel fermentation. The wild yeast fermentation has contributed to the subtle banana and mango characteristics and lees stirring has contributed to a rich and textured palate. The wine spent 18 months in barrel 50% new oak and 50% one and two year French oak. Drink now or up to ten years.

2005 Pinot Gris is made up from two different blocks within the vineyard one block contributing a tighter leaner structure and strawberry flavours the other contributing broader fig characters. These combine with the almond characters from the old and new French oak and come through onto the palate and linger for a while.

D'OR 2004 Botrytis Pinot Gris (Award Winning) This delightful elegant desert wine exhibits apricot and honeycomb characters and is the result of Botrytis Cinerea (Noble Rot) which we were fortunate enough to experience with our 2004 vintage.
The wine shows good length with a superb clean finish owing to an ideal balance of sugar and acidity.

Petit Rouge 2004 A blend of Merlot and Chardonnay this delightful summer wine exhibits elements of cherries and berries. The wine has elegant spicy aromas with strawberry and canned cherries on the palate.

2006 Pinot Gris (Bronze Medal) Ripe pear and banana skin type fruit flavours. Then this follows on to the palate and is carried by a solid acid backbone which will allow for years of development.

2005 Cabernet Merlot (Bronze Medal) With intense dark fruit on the nose, hints of blackberries, aniseed and plums, this lifted nose follows on to an elegant and concentrated palate full of dark berries and spice.

All wines can also be purchased online. Click through to our website (at the top of this page) and then click on the 'Wine' link.

Cheese

Mount Ashby Estate is one of the few remaining Holstein Studs in the Southern Highlands. The neighboring dairy is one of the largest in the area and looks after the milking of the Mount Ashby herd with the milk then being supplied to the Sydney market. A small amount will be utilised for the preparation of a range of marinated cheeses soon to be available at the cellar door.

Antiques

At Mount Ashby, under the direction of Sally Beresford, we specialise in the restoration of Provincial 17th to 19th Century antiques sourced from France and other parts of Europe, as well as carefully selected unusual items from the early 20th Century.
Sally Beresford has been involved in fashion design, interior decorating and antiques for over 20 years. In more recent years, Sally has opened antique shops in the Sydney Antique Centre in South Dowling Street, Sydney, and her new gallery in Queen Street, Woollahra.
Utilising regular shipments from France and Europe, Sally also extensively uses antique materials to produce individual items (for example solid oak and pine tables under the French Farmhouse label, stone and iron decorative pieces, as well as industrial based pieces) that suit both the contemporary, classic and minimalist styles popular today.
For further details, view Sally Beresford Antiques on this website and click through to her website to view her specialised online store.

We look forward to you joining us to sample our wines and cheeses as part of our charcuterie plate, to view our antiques and have a relaxing day at Mount Ashby.