Established: 1979
Location: Keenan Road, Glenrowan (be warned there are a number of dirt roads in the area).
Winemaker: Wendy Tinson
Important Varietals: Reisling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Old Tawny Port
Personal Comments:
Not the easiest winery in the world to find but if you follow the signs from Glenrowan you'll be fine. If visiting Bailey's first (about 7 km away) turn left towards Lake Mokoan in the distance and then take the first left again. After that the signs will be your guide.
Harry Tinson (the HJT of the title) was winemaker at the nearby Bailey's of Glenrowan until his retirement sometime in the eighties after about 15 years at the helm. He had bought some land down by the lake in the mid-seventies or so and planned to move there after his retirement. There are stories that his retirement came about a bit sooner than he might have liked as a result of a falling out with the Bailey's management, though I don't intend to speculate about the actual details.
In any event, Bailey's loss was the wine world's gain as Harry was then able to indulge his own pursuits. The only problem being that his retirement left him with no supplies of the wonderful old wine stock required for the magnificent fortifieds he produced during his time at Bailey's. It is unfortunate that Harry Tinson died in 1995 but he left a legacy of fine wine knowledge with his daughter Wendy so the winemaking continues.
Over Easter 1995 I had a bottle each of the HJT Cabernet from 1985 and 1986. Both had been bought on the same day from the winery and cellared in the same box. The 1985 was decidedly tired and appeared to be past its peak, still an excellent drop but not to the quality of the 1986 which was about right. If I had any more of this I think I'd be drinking it now to really enjoy the experience. I was able to try the 1985 again in July 1995 and had my original opinion comfirmed.
Best Recent Vintages:
This page, and all contents, are copyright © 1995-2001 by Perry Middlemiss, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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Last modified: March 30, 2001.