Chateau Hornsby tasting and BBQ area.
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Denis and Miranda Hornsby came to Alice Springs in 1969 as pharmacists at Alice Springs Hospital and decided to settle here. They bought a pharmacy in Todd Street, and a few acres os land at the site of the winery.
An idea developed to plant am experimental crop of grapes with the intent of creating a full scale winery.
The success of the attempt prompted them to buy more land and Denis set about preparing irrigation and planting 6 acres of vines. Four varieties were planted, semillon, Rhine riesling, shiraz and cabernet. He then built an underground cellar and winery and equipped it with the advice of a winery engineer from South Australia, Ian Slater.
The first vintage was produced in 1977, but Denis was disappointed with the result. Ex-Reynella wine-maker, Gordon Cook loaned his enthusiasm and knowledge to the project and, in 1978, the vintage showed a distinct improvement. Each year the quality of wines is steadily improving and now, Chateau Hornsby oroduces pleasant, dry whites and reds which are keenly sought.
In 1979 a restaurant and tourist facilities were established and visitors can now enjoy a barbecue lunch in the sunshine, taste a few wines, and inspect the winery and its surroundings. A quality restaurant operates of a night.
Harvest time at Chateau Hornsby is still a real community effort. The grapes are picked at dawn by friends and their families who begin at 4.00 am. and stumble about the vineyard under lights until breakfast. Picking ceases then because temperatures can climb above 30° Celsius and adversely affect the grapes.
Everyone is then treated to a hearty bush breakfast on the cellar to welcome in the new season.
Chateau Hornsby has bult up a healthy following of locals who enjoy the fine cuisine in the restaurant. Many a pleasant hour is spent in the shadow of the MacDonnell Ranges surrounded by good company and one of Alice Springs most ambitious projects.
Chateau Hornsby is open for wine tasting and sales from 10.00am until 5.00pm. daily from March to December.
