Between five bells is owned by Ray Nadeson and Maree Collins. They are not average boutique winery owners or winemakers. Initially, they were trained as scientists, and they hold PhD degrees in medicine and chemistry respectively. It was later that they decided to pursue their passion and that is when Lethbridge wines was set up in 1996 together with Adrian Thomas. Ray and Maree completed their winemaking degree.
The Lethbridge site was picked based on different scientific principles like climatic indicators, degree days, and soul type, among others. When the property was purchased an old fermentation vat made of wood was discovered in one of the sheds. Their investigations revealed that originally, the site had been planted by vignerons in the 1870s only to be decimated during the phylloxera scourge.
They have been producing some of the best wines for 20 years now and have received great recognition locally and internationally. The wines are found in many world class restaurants all over the world. The two combine innovations and experiments to come up with some of the most unique wine personalities that are encapsulated in Nadesan Collis, il modo, and Between Five Bells labels.
Lethbridge east vineyard is the flagship vineyard, and is 30 km northwest of Geelong. The original vineyard was planted by the Swiss in 1874. The Lethbridge wines owners replanted the vineyard in 1996. The vineyard is now managed using biodynamic and organic practices. Sustainable principles have also been embraced.
The hat rock vineyard is also named due to the geographical feature that looks like a hat. It is at the Bellarine Peninsula and was planted in 1996. The soil type is a unigir black clay derived from basalt.
There is also the Rebenberg vineyard which is historic. It is on Mt Duneed southwest of Geelong. Here, vines were planted as early as 1858. Ken and joy Campbell planted the vineyard in the 70 as an initiation of the Geelong area to re-emerge as a wine-growing area. Most vineyards here have been pulled out to make room for housing.
https://www.lethbridgewines.com/Wines/Between-Five-Bells
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