Bill and Wendy Lawson after successful teaching careers in Sydney set up Catherine Vale Vineyard in 1993. Original plantings took place in October of that year with the help of friends. Semillon and Chardonnay grapes were planted on 3 different rootstocks. These 2 white varieties grow extremely well in the Hunter Valley.

Verdelho and the Italian Red varieties Dolcetto and Barbera were planted in 1998 and wines from these varieties are now available.

Verdelho flourishes in this sub-region of the Hunter and has grown in popularity. The grape variety was originally used to make the fortified wine Madeira but Australian winemakers have pioneered it’s development as a dry white table wine. Catherine Vale produces both.

As the wine market became more and more red oriented following their original plantings, Bill and Wendy decided to add reds to their portfolio.

The Italian varieties were researched and established as a point of difference for their small vineyard and have proved a highly successful development.