Rock Garden
POOLE'S ROCK VINEYARD
Poole’s Rock Vineyard was founded in 1988 in the Broke Fordwich district of the Hunter Valley by businessman David Clarke. Located 30 kilometres west of the main Hunter vineyard region, the original 32-hectare property is named after the monolith on its southern boundary, which in turn takes its name from a prominent local character who lived in the area over 100 years ago.
It took two years to find the ideal site that has become one of the Hunter Valley’s icon family vineyard estates. Planting commenced in1988 with four prime hectares devoted solely to chardonnay, an endeavour described at the time by legendary Australian winemaker, Murray Tyrrell, as ‘the viticultural showpiece of the Hunter Valley.
‘We took meticulous care in establishing the fully irrigated vineyard. The vines are now over 20 years-old and are producing remarkable quality fruit,’ observes founder David Clarke.
Early in 2001 Poole's Rock Wines acquired the neighbouring vineyard effectively doubling the estate's total vineyard area.
COCKFIGHTER'S GHOST VINEYARD
Behind every wine is a story – and this one started 175 years ago when Governor Macquarie detailed a group of explorers to establish an overland route to the Hunter Valley. One wild, windy night as the intrepid travellers were crossing Wollombi Brook, misfortune struck. Cockfighter, the lead horse, became bogged in river quicksand and despite all efforts, drowned. A fateful night that gave birth to the legend of Cockfighter’s Ghost...
Much later, businessman David Clarke decided to expand his Hunter Valley vineyard holdings, an in 1994 acquired a 13-hectare vineyard on the banks of the Wollombi Brook near Broke, which he named after the phantom steed.
The original vineyard is planted to a mix of chardonnay, semillon and viognier, with an additional small block of old vine shiraz dating back 50 years.
The picturesque Cockfighter's Ghost Vineyard in the lee of the Brokenback Range is also home to the delightfully renovated rambling 1930's Cockfighter's Ghost cottage, available year-round for short break vineyard escapes.
POST OFFICE VINEYARD
In 2002, a third vineyard was added to the Poole’s Rock estate, the historic 73-hectare Glen Elgin property founded in 1895 by the pioneering Tulloch family. Located in the heart of the Hunter at Pokolbin, it boasts some of the Hunter’s oldest shiraz vines dating back to 1900. It is now known as the ‘Post Office Vineyard’ in recognition of the original Pokolbin Post Office once located on the site.
This acquisition also included a 2000 tonne-plus winery facility that has since been expanded to include a state-of-the-art barrel store and processing facilities required for the company’s gradual expansion.
It is is also the site of the Cellar Door and renowned ROCK Restaurant