The BEST Wine & Spirit Distributors in Joel Joel VIC

Michael Unwin is deeply passionate about the process of growing grapes and turning them into wine. His passion for winemaking spans 35 years. As a young New Zealander, he studied horticulture and then travelled to Europe, where he started working for a champagne maker. In the decade that followed, his learned the art of winemaking, travelling to all areas of Europe working with some of the highest regarded experts in the field. In 2000, Michael and his wife Cat (a fellow Kiwi), established Michael Unwin Wines in Ararat. From 2004 onwards, their purpose-built winery in Beaufort became an iconic and recognisable landmark for anyone travelling along the Western Highway. At that location, their cellar door enjoyed a constant flow of customers; some coming on a designated day trip, others scheduling in a wine and tapas treat on the weekend, and some stocking-up of their favourite drop on the commute between Ballarat and Ararat or Horsham. In early 2020, Michael and Cat closed the Beaufort site and reopened the vineyard, winery and cellar door on Remembrance Drive, Windermere – ten minutes west of Ballarat. The site has allowed Michael to realise his dream of being an entirely independent winemaker, where everything from grape growing, vinifying, bottling, packaging, warehousing, distribution and public tastings and sales is done at the one location.

The concept of Tuki began in 1985, when the farm was first open to guests as a trout fishing venue. At this time the largest commercial flock of Tukidale sheep grazed on the property, hence the name Tuki. Tukidale sheep are a course wool breed, producing wool for carpets. They are a genetic variation of the Romney Marsh. The unique Tukidale breed was established an s a breed in New Zealand. The first stone cottages were opened in 1993, built with blue stone from the property, they blend well with the dry stonewalls that Don and Robert have created. The next stone cottages were completed in 1997 and feature furniture locally made utilising some of the aged timber from the property. Further cottages were completed in 1999. Don lived on the farm since the 1940’s, his late wife Violet and two children Jenny and Robert created the concept of Tuki together. Jenny has gone on to manage her own business in Ballarat, and now Robert, Jan, David and Alistair keep the concept going. Don passed away in 2007, but the product of his vision remains. The trout that stock the ponds are reared on the property in a variety of growing ponds. The good quality water they live in contribute to the wonderful flavour of our trout. The water that is provided for drinking and the spas is high quality water with excellent mineral qualities, it is also filtered. The lamb & beef products on the menu come from our own flock; they are pasture fed so giving a wonderful flavour. We pursue organic & sustainable principles.