Stephen Morris

PENNYWEIGHT WINERY

Stephen Morris - Owner & Winemaker

In 1977, Stephen Morris chose Beechworth as the location for his new winemaking venture, believing the cool growing climate of the higher altitude to be perfect for bringing out the flavours in table wine. Not one to make any rash decisions, he then took another five years before he found the exact red soil-based land that is now home to Pennyweight.

'Getting the right site is critical,' emphasises Stephen in his own defence. 'It might take 10 or 15 years to see the full implication of your decision so you really need to be sure.'

At that time, Beechworth was hardly the tourism hub it is today. 'There was only one motel, one hotel serving food and no restaurants,' he recalls. 'Some people were recognising the value of the historic buildings and that was the beginning of the change.'

Many would call Stephen a 'renaissance man' considering he was intent on 'going organic' long before such a catch-cry was marketable, but he begs to differ. 'I'm just old-fashioned,' he laughs. When Stephen was a child growing up as part of the Morris Wines of Rutherglen clan, he says a more natural approach to wine production was commonplace.

'I did a lot of farming up in Queensland,' he explains. 'And I really didn't want to go down the chemical path that I saw up there - it's so against nature. We don't use irrigation or any pesticides and we pick all the grapes by hand, but I find the workload is easier because we've created our own balanced eco-system. The whole thing just works for you.'

If anyone doubted the viability of going organic in the wine business, Pennyweight is a shining example of its success, having also achieved official certification as biodynamic/organic. 'The future's looking good from where I'm standing,' says Stephen. 'In fact, the vineyard just keeps getting better and easier to run.'

Twenty-seven years on since Pennyweight's inception, Stephen and family prove patience is a virtue.

Pennyweight Winery

13 Pennyweight Lane

Beechworth

Ph: 03 5728 1747

www.pennyweight.com.au