15 March 2023

Babydoll sheep and a glass of wine: What's not to like about new winemaking tours?

| Claire Sams
woman with wine barrels

The Vintner’s Daughter owner Stephanie Helm. Photo: The Vintner’s Daughter.

A new chapter in Murrumbateman’s rich food and wine history has begun, with visitors now able to take an inside look into the workings of a family-owned winery.

The Vintner’s Daughter has kicked off three new tours involving wine tastings, farm tours and the winemaking process itself.

Owner and winemaker Stephanie Helm said while the return of tours had been a long time coming, it was something that had been constantly on the family’s minds.

“We aim to create a unique and educational experience for all visitors that will leave them with a better understanding and appreciation of our wines and life,” she added.

“This has been a long time in planning and we are thrilled to now be able to offer these unique experiences.”

The announcement of the tours marks a return to form for The Vintner’s Daughter after the husband-and-wife duo decided to put tours on hold when their children were younger.

READ ALSO Move over Barossa, Canberra’s ‘crunchy’ cool shiraz is punching above its weight

Winery visitors can book a spot on the Private Winemaking tour or the ”Vine to Glass” experience on nominated days to learn about what goes into winemaking.

The former focuses on the shiraz wine styles, while the latter involves a farm and vineyard tour before a tasting.

Each winemaking season will provide something new for visitors as the winery moves through the winemaking progress, making each tour different.

Babydoll sheep

Babydoll sheep are more than a cute attraction at The Vintner’s Daughter. Photo: Roogulli Farm/Facebook.

Additionally, Morning Farm Feeding Tours run from 9 am from Thursday to Saturday, taking in the feeding and care of the winery’s popular animals, including emus, Babydoll sheep, peacocks and dairy goats.

The animals were more than a cute attraction, Ms Helm said. They play a role in the winery’s operations, with the sheep grazing and reducing the use of pesticides.

The tour finishes with a complimentary wine-tasting.

READ ALSO First Looks: Cypher Brewing Co is set to bring craft brewing to Gungahlin

Sustainability was more than a buzzword for the team, Ms Helm said.

“Our commitment to sustainability and ethical farming practices is reflected in everything we do, from the care of our animals to the cultivation of our grapes and the production of our wine.”

man picking grapes

Stephanie Helm’s husband Ben helps to pick grapes at The Vintner’s Daughter. Photo: Supplied.

“Our Babydoll sheep are not just seriously cute – they also serve an important function in our vineyard ecosystem and we are excited to be able to share our passions for sustainable vineyard practice on our tours.”

Those interested can book through The Vintner’s Daughter’s website or by emailing [email protected].

Original Article published by Claire Sams on Riotact.

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