Mill goes from paper to pinot

He has set up a winery and cellar door at the historic 1870’s Fyansford Paper Mill nestled on the banks of the Barwon River on the outskirts of Geelong, Victoria.

While the mill closed in 1923, over the years it had various uses including as cool stores and for manufacturing ice, plus use as a munitions factory by the military during WW2.

More recently it has become a hub to the arts community with galleries, café and more inhabiting the historic bluestone complex.

PROVENANCE Wines is a local family business that has been producing award-winning wines since establishing in 1996.

Taking on a 400 square metre bluestone site at the complex, Scott is the biggest operator with the business consisting of a working 150 tonne, 10,000 case winery.

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The barrel maturation room that looks into the winery used to house the old 100-foot paper machine and now doubles as the cellar door and function area.

Buckley waterfalls on the Barwon River form a boundary of the Mill.

This used hydro power to drive the paper making machines at the time.

The original 800m long water race that powered the paper mill exists today.

“We have invested more than a million dollars in this project and we also received $332,000 in joint State and Federal funding. Winemaker Sam Vogel has now also bought into the business with us,” Scott said. 

“We can accommodate up to 250 people for events and there is also the smaller River room that can seat 40 in the winery area.

“The industrial cathedral-like ceilings and 450mm thick bluestone creates a terrific ambience. 

“People have an opportunity to drink wine directly from the producer, with the chance to be educated with a full wine experience plus our food offerings will also showcase the region’s provenance.”

SCOTT’S philosophy has always been to search for vineyards that have that special place of origin that speaks about country with the aim to make great wines that reveal the fruit quality of those vineyards.

“The four main varieties we work with are pinot gris, chardonnay, pinot noir and shiraz as they are what suits the provenance we work with,” he said. 

“We source fruit from the Moorabool valley in Geelong and Scotsburn, Ballarat regions and we also work closely with dedicated and talented vignerons in the Macedon and Henty regions.

“Our Tarrington pinot gris is matured on providing a creamy element and perfect foil to the natural coarse texture of pinot gris while our Golden Plains pinot noir has perfumed, fresh fruit aromas of black cherry and spice with a supple, rich palate weight, long in flavor, text book pinot noir.”

AT the 2017 Geelong Wine Show the 2015 Provenance Geelong pinot noir and 2016 shiraz both picked up gold medals.

It’s 2015 chardonnay and shiraz both took out silver medals. 

The shiraz is an age-worthy wine of medium weight with powerful fruit flavour and fine textural tannin.

Provenance also does a sparkling shiraz and an Art series as a celebration of the wine-making art form.

“The intention is to push the boundaries of how we look at wine,” Scott said. 

“The rose is a pale orange-pink colour with perfumed fruit characters while the Griesling a blend of pinot gris. 

“The Riesling sees tank fermentation with fruit flavours on the palate and bright natural acid making it an excellent foil for modern food styles.”

The Provenance cellar door is open seven days for wine tastings and lunch and is also regarded as an ideal venue for weddings or events.

Event organisers can also book the River Room which offers views to the Barwon River and Buckley Falls on one side, and to the working winery on the other.