Regal Estate
Article & Photography by ALICE ARMITAGE
Regal Estate takes the form of something Mediterranean: vines stretching down rows, olive groves softening the horizon, and visitors sipping wine at sunset in the Bland Shire.
Michelle, a lifelong local, had no background in viticulture. What she had was determination, a love of produce, and a desire to give West Wyalong something it lacked. Alongside her husband, she turned a bare paddock into a vineyard producing Semillon and Shiraz. The wines — dry Semillon inspired by Hunter Valley traditions, a sparkling “summer Shiraz,” rosé, and table reds — give visitors a taste of what the Riverina can produce when it dares to diversify. Events and boutique accommodation add layers to the experience, drawing in weddings, photo shoots, and travellers seeking something unexpected.
But the ethos is perhaps more important than the product and Regal Estate has become a beacon of reinvention. For visitors, it is proof that the Riverina doesn’t need to mimic Barossa or Hunter. It can offer its own style of viticulture, grounded in local conditions and community spirit. “I grew up here, and I didn’t want to leave my hometown to find the things I loved,” Michelle says. “So we built it. The Riverina might not be famous for wine like other regions, but that’s what makes it exciting. We’re bringing a bit of the Barossa to Bland”.
This piece has been developed with the support of Visit Riverina – www.theriverina.com.au
