Goona Warra

Not to be confused with the famous Coonawarra region in South Australia, the Goona Warra winery (aboriginal for `resting place of the black swan') was set up in 1863 by former Victorian Premier James Goodall Francis. It is located in Sunbury, a small wine-growing area now almost encroached by Melbourne`s northern suburbs.

Sadly this grandiose winery suffered decades of neglect and disuse until it was bought and restored in 1982 by top Melbourne lawyer John Barnier and who was seduced into vineyard life full-time in 1985.

Goona Warra looks very much towards France for its inspiration, with the emphasis on structure and finesse.