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Set into the lower slopes of the Warby Ranges, and fringed by the Winton Wetlands to the west, Baileys of Glenrowan occupies a very special piece of North-East Victoria.

Established in 1870, the certified organic vineyard contains some of the oldest plantings in North East Victoria, upon which Baileys has established a reputation for powerful red wines and globally acclaimed fortifieds.

Our Wines

Our History

Timeline

1857

Looking for new opportunities, Richard Bailey and his sons Samuel and John Bailey left Yorkshire, England, and travelled to Liverpool looking for a berth to Australia. Within 3 months they arrived in Port Phillip Bay, aboard the ‘John Barbour.’

Timeline

1858

Sarah Bailey, (née Varley), Richard’s wife also made the long journey with her 5 other children Emma, Sarah, Mary, Ann and the youngest, Varley Bailey. They had made the terrifying journey unassisted aboard the ‘Jessie Munn’ arriving in Australia in 1859. Now reunited, Richard worked as a carrier in Brunswick, transporting bricks and bluestone to sites around Melbourne using horses and drays.

Timeline

1870

Varley Bailey applies for leases on two Land lots in the parish of Glenrowan. His father Richard and his sister Emma, also select neighbouring properties, to build their farms on.

Timeline

1870

1870 is the birth of the Baileys Bundarra Vineyard and Winery. The Bailey family ran a farm, and Varley planted his vineyard. As soon as Varley had enough grapes, he began to sell fortified wines to the locals. Varley’s property was named ‘Bundarra’, an aboriginal term meaning ‘Meeting of the Hills’ which is understandable given ‘Baileys Bundarra’ is located at the Taminick gap, where the hills meet allowing a road to pass through the Warby ranges.

Timeline

1895

The region suffered from a devastating outbreak of phylloxera, a soil borne aphid that feeds on vine roots. The aphid finds its way to Glenrowan. Many winemakers were ordered to destroy their vineyards.

Timeline

1904

Undeterred, after the vignerons ‘Black Plague’, Varley replanted the vineyard with phylloxera resistant rootstock. Soon the Baileys famous wines flow again. The original 1904 Shiraz Block continues to produce outstanding wines today.

Timeline

1908

Varley leases the farm Bundarra, now 810 acres, including 100 acres under vine, to his sons Jim and Alf. However, this is on the proviso that they maintain and improve the vineyard, which they do.

Timeline

1908

Jim and Alf officially name the winery Bailey Bros.

Timeline

1910

Jim Bailey marries Annie Lindsay, they have 6 children; Allan, Mavis, Alfred (who sadly dies at birth), Clarise and James Roland (Roley).

Timeline

1920s

Alfred who returned from war marries Ethel McGregor.

Timeline

1920s

The Baileys Shiraz area under vine is expanded with additional Shiraz planted in what we now call our 1920s Block Shiraz. Full of flavour the red stripe Hermitage quickly built a reputation and loyal following. Further plantings of Muscat and Muscadelle (used in the Topaque) took place.

Timeline

1928

Jims son’s James Roland (Roley) Bailey and Allan Bailey joined their father in the running of the property, winery and vineyard.

Timeline

1930s

Alfred Bailey moves to Brunswick and establishes an export business to export the highly prized Baileys red wines and Ports.

Timeline

1948

Jim retires and leaves Bundarra to his two sons. Allan becomes responsible for the winery and Roley takes care of the farm. Allan was renowned for producing the first Baileys Muscat and big flavoured reds, that were widely celebrated. He made wine like nobody else.

Timeline

1972

As family management could no longer continue, Allan and Roley Bailey agree to sell the winery to Davis Consolidated Industries. Harry J Tinson is appointed the manager. Although the Bailey Bros had sold, the famous Baileys wine would remain the same.

Timeline

1998

A new purpose built winery with modern equipment including open fermenters was commissioned. The original Victor Coq 100 year old basket press was restored. Today all the 1920s & 1904 block wines are pressed with the original basket press.

Timeline

2011

Baileys of Glenrowan Bundarra Vineyard becomes fully certified organic and in vintage 2012 we produced our first fully certified organic Shiraz.

Timeline

2017

Baileys of Glenrowan is purchase by Casella Family Brands and returned to family ownership.

Timeline

2019

The 2019 vintage Baileys entire table wine range is now estate grown, produced, labelled and bottled as fully certified organic which marks a major step forward in our return to organic production.

Timeline

2020

Now 150 years old, Baileys of Glenrowan is a boutique certified organic winery that showcases the heritage of the winery and combines traditional techniques with modern winemaking. With access to some of Victoria’s oldest dry grown vines, we intend to cherish the history and integrity of Baileys for another 150 years

Awards

awward
2018 Small Batch Nero d'Avola

92 Points - James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion (2020)

awward
2018 Small Batch Rose

91 Points - James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion (2020)

awward
Winemakers Selection Rare Old Muscat

Gold Medal - Royal Hobart Wine Show (2019)

awward
Winemakers Selection Rare Topaque

97 Points - James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion (2020)

awward
2015 Petite Sirah

Gold Medal - Rutherglen Wine Show (2019)