We think of our team as family and we’re pretty lucky to have lots of awesome people in it! We pride ourselves on our dedication to excellence and passion for delivering an authentic Granite Belt wine experience. We invite you to visit us and meet the team – we can’t wait to welcome you!
Martin was always destined to own a winery. Growing up in the Yarra Valley, it was in his blood from an early age. He worked on two vineyards while studying engineering. Testing his skills, he struck out on his own, with a small block of Marsanne and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Sadly, engineering took Martin far from wine country. He worked at Jabiru in the Northern Territory for two years, before relocating to Brisbane, where he established a successful career in project management, specialising in hospitality projects. 2004 was a year of destiny. Martin’s consulting firm was awarded the project management contract to oversee the development of Stanthorpe’s successful Queensland College of Wine Tourism.
Martin had his first meeting for the college at noon and signed the contract for the acquisition of ridgemill estate at 3 pm. As they say, the rest is history!
A workaholic, Martin immediately set about creating one of the Granite Belt’s most impressive wineries, upgrading the cellar door, expanding vineyard plantings, and installing eight luxury studio cabins on the property. He has an ongoing commitment to create the best, while still having fun.
In life, I always ask…are we having fun yet? What is life without fun and great wine?
Michelle’s mind never stops. Between co-owning and operating ridgemill estate, she travels Australia-wide as a leading Community Engagement and Facilitation Consultant.
As the eldest of seven kids, she formed multi-tasking skills at an early age. A born strategist and organiser, she creates and communicates the vision and direction for the business.
After many days, often weeks, living out of a suitcase, Michelle loves returning to her ‘Happy Place’, ridgemill estate. For her, there is nothing better than waking early to watch the mist lift over the lake, revealing the vines.
Living for a period near the Hunter Valley, plus regular trips to the Barossa, piqued her interest in wine in the early ‘80s. So much so, she couldn’t believe her luck when the man of her dreams owned a winery.
Not content with just drinking wine, Michelle is continually intrigued with the science of winemaking. And, Martin is the first to admit, she has an exceptional palate too.
My mind is always ticking, gaining new ideas from my travels that we can use at ridgemill.
As a youngster, Peter planned on being a motor mechanic, but he soon veered into hospitality, working around Queensland before moving to the Granite Belt. In his spare time, Peter lent a hand in local vineyards, leading to jobs in a vineyard and a cellar door. When Martin was looking for a someone to manage the cellar door, vineyard and winery at the newly established ridgemill estate in 2004, he approached Peter who agreed to: ‘have a crack at it’ and has been with the estate since!
While loving the character of rich fruit in Australian wines, Peter also admires the style and balance of old world wines. His winemaking philosophy is a hybrid of the two styles – wines with Australian flavours perfected with European structure and finesse. While undertaking a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Southern Queensland, Peter has produced countless award-winning wines for ridgemill estate.
Peter along with Jim Barnes, was instrumental in establishing the Strangebird Alternative Wine trail, which highlights the lesser known varieties of wines grown in the Granite Belt. “I think wine drinkers are a bit adventurous now; they like the story behind the alternative varieties and it’s educational as well.”
I think I’m reliving my childhood as a winemaker because it lets me be quirky and creative and use my senses, which is my forte.
Our cellar door is open daily for tastings and wine sales, see below for opening times, which may vary on public holidays, so please call ahead 07 4683 5211.
ridgemill estate is located approximately 5 minutes’ drive south of Stanthorpe in Queensland’s Granite Belt Region. Our address is ridgemill estate, 218 Donges Road, Severnlea Qld, 4380 for directions visit our Find Us page.
