It takes a certain commitment to the cause to buy a business, then promptly close it for the next couple of years so you can spend a further small fortune on it. Login or signup to continue reading But that's what happened when former Newcastle Knights deputy chairman Allan McKeown bought Eagle's Rest vineyard and cellar door in the heart of Pokolbin in 2019. The doors were shut for two years before newly-named Bonvilla Estate was reopened to the public - and what a transformation it was.
Ugly duckling turns swan. "The fit-out was close to a million dollars," operations manager Jo Minett said. If the Minett name sounds familiar, she was the owner of popular Newcastle marina restaurant Rocksalt for 17 years - from seafood to semillon.
"The large doors opening to the outside give it that inside-outside feel, the beautiful stone fireplace . . .
it has all been done so well." And while the Oakey Creek Road property - 100 acres, with 40 under vine - and cellar door is up and running, the work is not finished. "We are going to make the members' area much larger, have an event space and build a couple of luxury villas as well," Minett said.
The new plans will take further advantage of the wonderful views from Bonvilla's elevated position. But, as with any cellar door, it's still the wines that hold sway. Enter winemaker PJ Charteris - one of the Hunter's finest.
He had, at one stage, been contract winemaker for Eagle's Rest and was familiar with the property. "It's a really good pat.