Serengale Vineyard Retreat in Victoria's High Country

Recently our guest writer and former ABC newsreader Alan Gaskell interviewed Serena Abbinga from Serengale Vineyard & Retreat

The village of Everton in North Eastern Victoria is one of the lesser-known rural areas of Australia, unless you're a connoisseur and wine buff that is. In which case you would know the Beechworth and surrounding wine region is home to many fine boutique wineries.

One such establishment is Serengale Wines, the brainchild of Serena Abbinga and her partner Gayle Taylor. Serena comes from a Dutch background with tulip farming in her family. She now is responsible for all the viticultural and commercial activities at Serengale. Gayle is a sixth generation Australian with a strong farming background as well, excelling in making their wines and in the mechanical side of running their gorgeous establishment.

Gayle obtained her first job in the industry with Lindeman wines at the tender age of 18 and completed her Wine Science degree whilst establishing the vineyard with Serena and working at Brown Brothers Winery. The two spent four years searching for a suitable property in this beautiful part of Australia before purchasing 60 acres of land in 1999 and thus the beginning of Serengale Wines.

The cool climate is perfect for grape growing with cold winters, warm summer days and cool summer nights. The soil is ideal with ancient granite providing the base for Serengale’s famous Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet and Shiraz. The women produced their first vintage on their site in 2014 in their machinery shed and 2016 in their new winery. This is truly a boutique winery, producing only 200 cases in any one crop.

The COVID19 virus, on top of last summer’s bushfires have provided a real challenge for Serena and Gayle, but the spirit of these two hardworking women hasn’t been dimmed.

As a luxurious addition to the vineyard, Serengale Retreat is a luxury accommodation resort on the vineyards periphery. The emphasis is on sustainability, intrinsically surrounded by wildlife and native forest. It is an opportunity for locals and visitors alike to savour a 5 star experience.

Serengale Vineyard provides an intimate cellar door facility which is open every weekend with the exception of the winter months, offering a chance for visitors and guests to taste the vineyards superb boutique offerings. Alternatively give them a call to arrange an appointment.

Additionally, online sales offer delivery to anywhere in Australia arriving from 3 to 5 days after ordering.

For further details go to the website www.serengalebeechworth.com.