The original 1890s Allandale wineworks had a capacity of 518,000 gallons and included some fine stocks of claret and hock. It was one of the early pioneers of the Hunter Valley wine industry, exporting vintages to enthusiasts of Australian wine throughout the British Empire. In 1891 Allandale was awarded the champion medal for NSW and received over 70 awards in exhibitions around the world. It was technologically advanced for the time, separating the stalks from the fruit before pressing, employing centrifugal pumps for racking the ferments. Historical records are scarce on who owned and operated the old Allandale Winery and why it ceased operation in the late 1920s.
During the resurgence of the Hunter Valley wine industry in the 1970s, a group of friends including long term owners Wally and Judith Atallah and Allandale’s first winemaker Ed Jouault, acquired 30 acres of land in the Lower Hunter Valley, in what was then known as Allandale, now called Lovedale. By 1978 the winery and cellar door were built on the hill which overlooks 17 acres of plantings. Semillon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. A place of panoramic views over the Lower Hunter and Brokenback Mountain Range. Within two years the 1980 Allandale Chardonnay won the Farmer Brothers Trophy at the 1981 Canberra National Wine Show. The continuing success of the early Chardonnays was a sign of things to come as Allandale have built a reputation over almost four decades as one of Australia’s premium Chardonnay producers.
Three classic varieties are grown on the 17 acres of Allandale’s multi award winning vineyards. Semillon and Chardonnay from the well drained Creek Flat Vineyards, established 1982.Alongside Chardonnay, Allandale has also built an enviable reputation over the years for producing some of Australia’s finest Semillon, often taking the trophy at respected wine shows around the country and regularly appearing in Winestate Magazine’s Top 40 Wines in Australia.
Allandale today boast an acclaimed portfolio of distinguished boutique wines with a vast range to suit all tastes. The full range of Allandale are made from estate grown fruit and carefully selected vineyards in the Hunter Valley, Mudgee and Orange, Hilltops and Tumbarumba, Wrattonbully and the Goulburn Valley, Barossa and McLaren Vale.
All of the wines are made on site using state of the art winemaking equipment. The wines are of the highest quality and consistency, renowned for their distinctive varietal characters and superb balance of flavours. Allandale prides itself on supporting long standing relationships with local growers of high quality fruit from the Upper and Lower Hunter Valley. Allandale also source small parcels of high quality fruit from other regions around Australia to provide diversity and choice for the customer. The Allandale management and staff are all committed to sustaining the fine service and quality of products for which Allandale have gained such an enviable national reputation.
