Hi there! My winemaking story is that of a privileged journey - one of which I am glad to have travelled, and am also glad to share…
I have been making wine for 20 years. After qualifying at Elsenberg, Stellenbosch, South Africa, in 1988, I travelled the Wine Regions of Europe, culminating in a vintage under the famous Murray Tyrell at Tyrells in the Hunter Valley. Upon returning to South Africa, I was appointed Winemaker at Onverwacht Wine Estate in the Western Cape, where I spent 2 years. Upon immigrating to Australia in 1992, I made award winning wines at Capel Vale Wines and Wise Winery in the Margaret River Region of WA, till 1997.
My desire to produce my own label and own my own vineyard has brought me to the emerging Granite Belt. After being the winemaker at Ballandean Estate for 3 years and making many award-winning wines, I now run my own winemaking business and produce my own label - RAVENS CROFT WINES, and have established my own winery.
In 2004, I purchased 28 acres at 274 Spring Creek Rd, which is 12km West of Stanthorpe. At 950m it is one of the highest cellar doors on the Granite Belt. I have built a lovely western red cedar tasting room, from where I started selling my first wines.
There is 1 acre of Verdelho vines (first crop in 2009) and 1 acre of Pinotage which was planted in 2007.
The grapes for some of my wines, at the moment, are purchased from growers on the Granite Belt. I have established a long association with them ensuring that I receive quality grapes.
Mark Ravenscroft
