Kimbarra
Producer Website
Kimbarra Wines, nestled in the rolling hills of the Grampians, is a family passion that promises to uphold the 100 year plus tradition of producing elegant wines from Great Western in Western Victoria, Australia.
With a passion for wine, the Leeke family, father Eric together with sons Jim, Peter and David, set to in 1978 and planted the first vines in a corner paddock on their fine wool property using Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon root stocks. Both varieties have been consistent award winners with the Riesling picking up a number of gold medals
In 1953 when Eric and Dorothy Leeke purchased land to the North West of Ararat their intention was to build a family home, put down roots and create a semi-rural environment in which they could raise their three sons.
Already a successful entrepreneur, Eric’s business interests extended from house building to petroleum distribution and from wool farming to motels, however it was his ever growing passion for wine, Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling in particular, that prompted him to establish a small vineyard on the property. Under the watchful eye of Colin Preece, the then winemaker at Seppelt Winery and stickler for detail Eric set to work. It may well have been Eric’s land and his money, but Colin was the boss, he had the experience and the expertise and insisted that the job was done his way or not at all. His dictum has paid hansom dividends. Ever since Eric and “the boys” first planted Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon vines in 1977, his sons Jim, Peter and David have successfully striven to improve the quality of their fruit year on year.
The Leeke brothers have now been joined by Peter's daughter Victoria, who completed Bachelor of Science (Viticulture) & Bachelor of Business (Finance) in 2005 and has spent the last four years working in the wine industry across southern Australia. Victoria shares the family's passion for wine and hopes to pass on a dynamic vineyard to the fourth generation.
Our Winemaker
Whilst Eric Leeke and his sons were still clearing their recently acquired acreage in Victoria, Master McKenzie was living with his parents on the family fruit growing property at Barmera in South Australia’s Riverland and attending the local high school.
Ian had mapped out before him the intention of going to university. Joining the world of wine was not part of his overall plan for life, but when the nearby Berri Co-operative winery and distillery sent a message to the school offering a post as a trainee winemaker he decided to apply and was given the job. So began his distinguished passage from apprentice at the Berri facility to head winemaker with Southcorp at Seppelt, Great Western.
His experience has encompassed judging at national and international wine shows, especially during the very formative era of the 1970’s and 1980’s along with such icons of the industry as Len Evans and Viv Thomson. He still consults for a number of high profile wineries both in Australia, South Africa and Chile and ensures that whilst drawing upon his reserves gained over the last forty odd years he keeps abreast of the ever changing practices in this dynamic environment by attending seminars, networking and reading widely.
Kimbarra Wines are lucky to have the services of Ian McKenzie and hope that it will continue for many years to come, his knowledge of the industry, breadth of experience and finesse of palate are such as can only be gained from a lifetime of exposure to the very best that the wine industry has to offer.