Members were treated to beautiful roast dinner accompanied by various drinks including Borambola wines and Beer. Host Tim McMullen told stories of Convicts, Kings, Race Horses, Bushrangers and other notorious happenings at Borambola Station.
“Borambola Homestead” is on the Sturt Highway, 25 kilometres east of Wagga Wagga in the Gundagai growing region of NSW. A majestic and gracious home dating back to the 1880s, Borambola has a colourful history.
It was built by George Macleay, son of Alexander Macleay, the then Colonial Secretary who built Elizabeth Bay House in Sydney. It was host to King Edward VIII when, as Prince of Wales, he visited Australia in 1920. Borambola reached its high point in the 1880s when it was the centre of a pastoral empire of about 1.4 million acres, owned by John Donnelly. Borambola then passed through several hands and was finally purchased by F.W. Hughes, a famous figure on the Australian financial scene. He used the property to breed horses, including Hiraji, the 1947 Melbourne Cup Winner. In 1992 Borambola Homestead became the McMullen family home. Another Racehorse form an earlier era, Night March, was also housed at Borambola. He was one of the few horses to defeat Phar Lap.
Bush Ranger Captain Moonlight raided the property. He was captured after a gun battle in which a policeman was killed. He was hung for his crime and was in recent times buried with his mate who was killed in the battle with police.
Tim told many interesting stories and passed around one of the original bricks used to build the homestead. They were made on site and each brick had the thumb mark of the convict who had made the brick.
With the first seedling of Chardonnay being planted in 1995, the McMullen family has carefully tilled the soil of the Borambola Homestead to create a winery, wedding and function venue that is unique to the region. They have five different selections of vintage wines, as well as their own beer and cider.
The cellar door is open for tastings by appointment, or you can book in a group tasting. Open Thursday to Monday, 11:00am - 5:00pm.
TOURS INCLUDE:
Tasting of six 100% estate grown Borambola Wines (Includes three whites and three red wines)
Tasting of Tuckerbox Craft Apple Cider
Tasting of one Tuckerbox Beer of your choice (options include Spot Light Pale Ale, Scruffy IPA or Rusty Lager)
Hearing the story behind each label
Learning about the history of Borambola Wines
Learning about the wine making process
Optional walk through the vines
