Wooden Eye Estate

Steve and Debi Glasson purchased their vineyard at Irymple in 1990. It was largely planted to sultana, and in '92 they took the decision to remove all but 0.6ha of 65-year-old grenache. They replanted the vineyard to chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and merlot (2.6ha each), leading to the first vintage in 2003. In the meantime Steve Glasson completed a winemaking course through La Trobe University at Bundoora, and made the wine in an insulated shed on the property. A new winery and cellar door on the property next door, which the Glassons also own, was completed in time for the '07 vintage. -JAMES HALLIDAY