Our Story
Fast Facts
Andrew Harris Vineyards is located 3.5 hours north west of Sydney, 5 minutes south of Mudgee on the Sydney road - one of Australia’s oldest prestige wine regions. Our vineyards lie nestled in rolling hills sheltered from the extremes of the Western plains by the slopes of an ancient eroded volcano. Previously an old sheep station, the vineyard was established by Andrew Harris. Today 108 hectares of Scott Henry trellis, laden with two levels of vine extend well into the hills. On inspecting the property Andrew was confident that the rich clay soils and presence of limestone would be excellent for producing fruit for a premium range of wines. |
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The Cudgegong River was nearby to source fresh water for irrigation and the property which embraced the hillsides outskirting Mudgee presents some of the most beautiful views in the area. By using canopy management technology to control foliage, the grapes are exposed to abundant sunlight and gentle air currents which enhance wine colours and flavours.
The Andrew Harris label features a painting of Andrew surveying his Estate and new plantings from high on the hill where his winery now stands surrounded by vines, this captures his vision well.
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Andrew Harris has risen with great vision from small beginnings in 1991, to a multi-million dollar winery that saw its first vintage in 1994.
Andrew’s family had been in cotton and soybeans in a substantial way. During the late 1980’s two important things happened for Andrew. He met his bride to be at the Lightning Ridge Races and he embarked on a vinous path, purchasing a 730 acre sheep station east of Mudgee, on rich clays over limestone and with plentiful water from the Cudgegon River. It seemed ideal for vines.
Within two years of his first vintage, James Halliday awarded Andrew Harris four and a half stars out of a possible five as a winery. For someone with no previous experience in the wine industry, it was an extraordinary achievement.
For those who know Andrew Harris there was nothing extraordinary about it. Andrew is one of the great agricultural success stories in Australia, and his success in wine is founded on a strict discipline: do it well and do it once. He responds to the potential of the land and not the romance of being a winemaker.
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Lisa developed an interest in winemaking whilst travelling and working internationally, visiting wine regions of France, Italy, Germany and Chile. After completing harvest work at Brokenwood Estate in the Hunter Valley in 1998, she embarked on an Oenology degree, completing a Bachelor of Applied Science at the University of Western Sydney.
In 2003 Lisa completed a vintage with Orlando Wyndham in Mudgee, working with traditional varieties such as Semillon, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet. Following this she to headed to Europe fulfilling an ambition to make quality Riesling in the Pfalz region of Germany before returning to Margan Family Wines in the Hunter Valley for the 2004 vintage. This was closely followed by another 2004 vintage with Marlborough Valley Cellars in New Zealand, working predominantly with Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir.
Lisa returned to Mudgee to work with the family-owned wine producer Andrew Harris Vineyards in 2004 as Assistant Winemaker before taking over the role of Senior Winemaker in 2007.