Feathertop, a leader in regional winery experiences is embarking on an exciting new phase. With development of our underground cellar under way, our business is expanding and we are now recruiting for number of positions in our service team. Positions include Head Chef, Apprentice Chef and various front of house service roles in our restaurant and cellar door.

Head Chef
Feathertop is regarded as a leader in regional dining experiences. Our business is expanding rapidly and so too is the potential for delivering new food and wine activity. Current development includes a refurbished kitchen servicing a new underground cellar for functions and events as well as a new outdoor dining area to complement our existing a la carte and casual dining experiences. We are seeking a creative and talented Head Chef to lead our team and bring exciting ideas to improve our business.

Front of House
Our concierge team is seeking wine and food professionals to deliver exceptional service in our cellar door and restaurant operations. Feathertop offers a supportive and fun team environment and we welcome applications from all levels of experience and skill. If you have the right attitude to life and work, we can train you in the rest!

For more details and to apply, please contact Guy via email at alfresco@boynton.com.au.

“Wow what a harvest! I wrote in my Autumn newsletter that the quality of the vintage
was going to be extremely good, perhaps even exceptional. Big statement I know, but at this early stage of the 2013 wines development, I’d suggest exceptional. It’s definitely the best year in the Alpine Valleys since I began way back in 1989. I will keep you posted on how they shape up.

“The cold nights have now begun and the deciduous trees have responded with incredible colours and now leaf drop. The bicycle path is a carpet of yellows and reds that ripples when a bike rider passes through at anything faster than 20kms per hour. Right now the sky is the most beautiful blue imaginable, which is making the day near perfect for the bride and groom getting married in the vineyard today…”

Kel Boynton

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Media Release
Bill Sykes MLA
Member for Benalla  Parliamentary Secretary for Primary Industries

The Victorian Government will provide $150,000 towards the expansion of a boutique winery in the Alpine Valleys region. Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said Feathertop Winery in Porepunkah was a local success story and leading tourist attraction.

“Considered one of Australia’s top cellar doors by Gourmet Traveller Wine magazine, this family-run business has drawn visitors to the region for over 25 years, to sample top local wine and food in its beautiful natural surrounds,” Dr Sykes said.

“The planned infrastructure improvements aim to help capture a larger share of the tourism market, capitalising on new business opportunities and providing a strong foundation for future growth.

“An underground food and wine vault will be developed to create a unique space for functions, training, and educational tours.

“Plans also include an expanded commercial kitchen, a chapel in the grounds, and extensive landscaping, including an enlarged dam, waterslide, and pathways.”

Feathertop Winery co-owner and Business Manager Janelle Boynton said, “This funding is fantastic news. The grant, along with a Commonwealth grant of $250,000 and our investment, will enable the business to grow and to create more employment opportunities for local people.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development, Peter Ryan said the $660,000 project was supported by Alpine Shire Council and would bring benefits to the wider region.

“Around six full-time jobs will be created on completion of the project, along with additional employment generated during the construction period,” he said.

“In the long-term the project will continue to strengthen north-east Victoria’s tourism offering, with an increase in visitors to the winery having a flow-on effect to other businesses in the surrounding area, such as local accommodation providers.”

The project will be funded through the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund’s Putting Locals First program.

“The Putting Locals First program supports economic development and job creation that boosts business across the state and contributes to a better quality of life for all Victorians,” Mr Ryan said.

For more information about Putting Locals First, please visit www.rdv.vic.gov.au/putting-locals-first

•    $720,000 worth of construction work
•    $1 million investment for the region
•    40m underground cellar to feature cutting edge design techniques

Boynton’s Feathertop Winery will expand their existing business to create a first class integrated tourism resort after a grant through the Tourism Industry Regional Development Fund was recently awarded by the Federal Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson.

The grant, which will also be matched with $260,000 of the company’s own funds, will see Stage One plans completed with construction of a second studio apartment, an expansion of the commercial kitchen, offices, a reception and concierge service introduced and an underground wine and food vault to provide VIP services to the region.

This project will create a site that will be more than just a cellar door experience for locals and visitors alike; and will complement the existing accommodation services, Alfresco Dining Restaurant and function room offerings.

The Project will commence early June with 40 metres of underground vaults located on the front side of the existing cellar door terrace. Spanning 6.5 metres across, these domed concave concrete pods, using a design normally applied to large scale infrastructure, will be a first in wine cellar construction. The construction will be lifted in by cranes in 2.5m sections, filled over the top with another terrace constructed on top overlooking the vista of Mt Buffalo.

The project will be a boom for the local economy, not only utilising local tradespersons and businesses, but providing more tourism facilities and product development opportunities. The grant will also enable Boynton’s to employ another six full time staff and provide job security in the north east region.

The kitchen, office, reception area and landscaping works will roll out over the winter months and are expected to be completed by November 2013.

The winery will remain open for business as usual, open every day from 10am – 5pm for local produce platters, wine, beer, coffee and cake. The Alfresco Dining Restaurant will re-open in September 2013.

To view a PDF of the plans drawn by Janelle Boynton, please click here.

For a number of reasons it is always pleasurable for me to write the newsletter. Firstly it allows me to sit down, although that’s not such a big deal these days as I have slowed down to a canter over the past year and have spent more time sitting down with the children, with friends and dare I admit to it – with a fishing rod. Another reason I find it pleasurable is because it demands that I reflect back over
the past quarter and report on what has happened during that time. When I start writing it seems like nothing much has taken place whereas once I start I’m always pleasantly surprised as to what has actually changed at Boynton’s Feathertop. Thirdly, I am able to pass on some of this information to you in writing, an almost forgotten art! Well I hope you find it informative! Letters may be a bit old fashioned but are very effective at keeping everyone in touch. So here is a snapshot of what’s been going on in the Boynton Family and our winery.

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Whilst we are currently experiencing smoky conditions around the Alpine Valleys, please be assured we are not impacted by the current bushfire activity and are OPEN 7 days 10am-5pm.

Our cellar door is OPEN for:

• Wine and beer tastings
• Coffee, tea and sweet treats
• Local deli produce platter lunches on our stunning terrace; and
• Alfresco Dining Restaurant (Fri-Sun)

You can keep up to date with the current situation by:

• Tuning into ABC and local commercial radio stations and SKY NewsTV
• Ringing the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667
• Visiting the CFA website www.cfa.vic.gov.au
• Following CFA via Twitter (@cfa_updates) and Facebook (/cfavic) or the FireReady app
• Visiting the Department of Sustainability and Environment www.dse.vic.gov.au

For park closures information call 13 1963 or visit www.parks.vic.gov.au

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us at the winery on 03 5756 2356.

Boynton’s Feathertop Winery will host one of the major festival events for the North East as part of Melbourne Food and Wine Festival’s Regional World’s Longest Lunch on Friday March 15, 2013.

A highlight of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival’s event calendar, Boynton’s will bring together five of the High Country’s top chefs to create a mouth-watering menu showcasing the best local produce, matched with outstanding regional wines.

It will be the “who’s who” of north east Victoria’s chefs including Anthony Simone of Simone’s, Bright; Michael Ryan of Provenance, Beechworth; Ikuei Arakane of Boynton’s, Porepunkah; Simon Arkless of All Saints Estate, Rutherglen; and Adam Pizzini of Rinaldo’s, Wangaratta.

This exciting event will capture the essence of the High Country and all its bounty in one long lunch set on the terrace overlooking the Alpine Valley.

TICKETS HAVE OFFICIALLY SOLD OUT! If you have missed out, our Red Earth Degustation at Dusk is on the same weekend, click here for details.

Spring has been and kissed the vines awake.

I just love the colour of those early shoots! Col, Geoff and I have been busy planting more Shiraz on the hill, Sangiovese on the mid block, Pinot Noir, Fiano and Prosecco on our new block around the corner and some more Vermentino and Friulano beside the drive as you come up to the winery. The vineyard looks all neat and tidy and the winery area has seen more work done on the terrace including the lawn been replanted and it is looking lush and fab. The area under the pergola has been paved and has a whole new look.

The warmer weather also allows for people to dust off their bikes and hit the Rail Trail. The bicycle path continues to grow in popularity. In the peak of summer there are in excess of 70 riders per hour cycling in front of our vineyard and winery with a good number of them riding up to have a glass of wine, beer, coffee, snack or meal. Many of these riders have been persuaded to detour by their children so they can have a play on our kids playground, which pleases me because it was a considerable investment!

Before the vines started growing I managed to sneak away to enjoy the latter part of my 60th birthday present – a boys trip to Fraser Island where we fished from 4am to 9 or 10pm, catching tailor in the morning, whiting during the day and jewies (mullaway) at night.

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