Welcome to Our World…
We never thought we’d end up on the Teviotdale Hills. Vineyards here usually belong to someone else’s story. But in 2020, we walked Fernbank for the first time — and the land made the decision for us.
The soil composition on this side of the Waipara Valley is rare and prized. Clay and limestone sit beneath every row, giving natural structure, depth, and a distinctive mineral thread to the wines grown here. Matt saw it immediately: textbook ground for expressive, long-lived wines. I saw the valley from the highest point of the block and felt something settle — a place both grounding and overwhelming in its beauty. We hadn’t expected it, but we couldn’t walk away.
Fernbank was planted in 2002 and was farmed conventionally until we arrived, just three months before the 2021 harvest. We stepped straight into the chaos and rhythm of vineyard and vintage, learning the lessons day by day. From the very beginning, we committed to organic practices and began the three-year journey toward BioGro certification. Not because it’s easy, but because it allows the land to speak more clearly.
When you remove harsh chemicals, everything comes alive — helpful insects, wild growth, competing life — and we’ve learned to work with that energy, not against it. Organic farming has deepened the character of our fruit and brought more honesty to our wines.
Each season leaves its own fingerprint, and that’s what excites us. The land provides consistency; the weather writes the story. Together, they create wines that reflect where we farm and the seasons we live through.
With mature vines and a site full of potential, Fernbank had everything we hoped for long before we had the words for it.
Meet the Barbours
We met while working together, and that partnership has become one of our greatest strengths.
Matt brings an endless can-do attitude, hands-on curiosity, and a love for figuring things out. Helen brings resourcefulness, organisation, and stubborn optimism. Side by side, we make a team that keeps the vineyard thriving — tackling challenges as they arise and celebrating the small wins along the way.
We began Fernbank while juggling two full-time jobs, which gave us a sharp knack for making every moment in the vineyard count. Over the years, we’ve built strong connections within our incredible wine community, creating a valued support network and opportunities to give back. Today, we co-lease two smaller vineyards and run a contracting business, helping other vineyard owners with mechanical management and practical support.
We are passionately for our wine region — its soils, climate, and people create exceptional wines, and the sense of community here is palpable.
Supporting and championing Waipara wines is not just part of what we do; it’s at the heart of who we are.
Matts parents, Phillip and Kathleen have been with us from the very start. From tackling the bulk of the pruning for many years to dropping by for a week or fortnight here and there to lend a hand wherever needed, their support has been as steady as it is tireless.
Their 4.5-hectare vineyard is part of Fernbank Wines, and we manage it for them as if it were our own. Beyond their hard work in the vineyard, their guidance and mentorship in navigating the business side of things has been invaluable, helping us grow with confidence. They approach every task with tenacity, determination, and a genuine eagerness to learn and improve. Simply put, we couldn’t have done this without them — and we wouldn’t want to.
Our Village
Meet our village. Behind every season is a group of family, friends and community who encouraged us to take the leap of faith, and continue to support us along the way. We’re deeply grateful for the knowledge shared, the hard toil volunteered, and the odd piece of machinery loaned when it really mattered.
While it might look like we do this on our own, the truth is there’s a whole village behind us — cheering us on, pitching in where they can, and walking alongside us through the seasons. We’re humbled by the generosity shown to us and eternally grateful for the support so freely given.
Finally there’s our Third Muskateer -
Ali Barbour
Ali is on duty in the vineyard in all weathers. He wears many hats — supervising air compressors, pressure washers, and quad bikes — while balancing that enthusiasm with a serious commitment to napping whenever possible.
Mice in the cover crop? Bird nests in the vines? Ali’s on it. But the moment the tractor starts up, he’s front and centre — never one to miss the fun at Fernbank. Our morale-boosting companion, he isn’t just part of the team — he is the team.
Contact us
20,000 vines is our community but we’d like to add humans to the mix!
One off messages or sign up for more info on events and new releases- we are here for all of it but in moderation.