Canberra switch for family winery

Family-owned Moppity Vineyards now has three New South Wales regions under its belt with the purchase of the former Kerralee vineyard on the Barton Highway outside Murrumbateman.

Jason and Alecia Brown also own the Moppity vineyard in Hilltops, outside Young, which was purchased in 2004, and the Coppabella vineyard in Tumbarumba, which they bought in 2011.

The Browns plan to make the Canberra region their new headquarters. 

The Kerralee deal paves the way for a purpose-built winery and cellar door to create and showcase wines from all three regions; Canberra, Hilltops and Tumbarumba. 

“I see Canberra, Hilltops and Tumbarumba as the Holy Trinity; the heart and soul of Southern NSW winemaking,” Jason Brown (above) said. “We’ve long held the belief that these areas can produce some of the best and most exciting wines in Australia. And now we are pleased to announce that we have a foothold in all three.”

Plans are underway for the current Kerralee vineyard to be expanded to 7.5 hectares to include a range of new varieties. 

“If there’s one thing that’s excited me the most at Moppity, it’s the capacity to surprise people with our wines. Hilltops was underrated when we bought the (then ruined) Moppity vineyard from the hands of receivers in 2004. 

"The Coppabella vineyard was struggling financially and on the verge of being removed before we bought it in 2011. On the back of a lot of toil, sweat and tears (and a little blood), we’ve resurrected both sites and they’ve achieved well-deserved acclaim since then.

“Similarly, our new Canberra vineyard has phenomenal potential. A lot has changed in the years since we made our first wines. We’re constantly looking for ways to improve and evolve and I believe we’re at the top of our game today.”