History

The history of the Winmark Wines is richly layered in stories and entwined with personal connections.

The vineyard was established in 1988 by the late founder of Macquarie Bank, David Clarke. David named the vineyard after the iconic large rock on the property, Pooles Rock. Local rogue and former convict Richard Poole was known to sleep in the hollow of the rock he eventually bequeathed his name to.

Pooles Rock vineyard quickly became famous for its award-winning chardonnays until it was sold in 2011. The vines languished, neglected, for the next five years until Karin Adcock rediscovered the property and purchased it in 2016 and re-established the vineyard. The 130acre property has been fully renovated with an artful eye, transforming it into one of the area’s premier destinations that consistently holds top guest rankings across the Hunter Valley. Each of the guesthouses showcases their own unique character and hold furnishings and artworks sourced from around the globe, and all make the most of the breathtaking mountain and vineyard views.

“When I purchased the property, the Pooles Rock name was not part of the sale. So I named the property Winmark Wines, which in my native Danish tongue means Fields of Vines. I am so proud to now call this property my home, and I love welcoming guests to our Cellar Door to taste our beautiful Chardonnay”. Karin Adcock

Winmark Wines continues its remarkable revival with a team of highly skilled and passionate wine experts ensuring the road from the vines to the glass is optimised. The wine team is a genuine collaboration of experts which includes vineyard manager Dave Grosser from VitiGro, award-winning viticulturist Liz Riley from Vitibit, and international consultant and winemaker John Belsham.

The conversion of the former Pooles Rock storage sheds into a beautifully designed Cellar Door ensures the history of the property is cherished – nestled into the sandstone surrounds and overlooking the 28 acre vineyard it is a perfect destination to enjoy tasting premium Chardonnay, whilst taking in spectacular views.

“The property gives me an immense sense of peace,” Karin said. “I love being here and creating a beautiful space we can enjoy and share. I feel quite strongly that if you have something that is very beautiful you should share it with friends and family and extend it outwards.”

Karin’s love of trees and interiors gives the property its personality. She commissioned one of Australia’s most outstanding landscape architects, Paul Bangay OAM, to create and link the perennial and rose garden and gazebo, the 12.5m pool and tennis court. She also commissioned relatively unknown sculptor David Ball, just before he won the 2017 Bondi Sculpture by the Sea major prize, to build Biosis, a massive steel structure that is perched above the vines.

The grounds are a wonderland of their own; sculptures, overflowing rose garden, dams and natural landmarks of historical significance dot the landscape. Set against the beauty of Yellow Rock state forest, this is a place to completely unwind and truly connect with nature. Winmark is a place of remarkable beauty and unexpected discovery.

THE PHOTOGRAPHS DOCUMENT THE RESTORATION FROM EARLY 2016 TO LATE 2018

The Vineyard

The 28 acres of vines have been carefully nurtured back to full health after a five-year period of neglect. Two talented professionals, 2017 Viticulturist of the Year Liz Riley, and Vineyard Manager Dave Grosser have made this their professional mission.

About 10 acres of verdelho in poor health was replaced by a new chardonnay clone from Burgundy in September 2017. Its first vintage was produced in January 2019 with Rusty’s Run and the Single Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay.

Money and energy were not spared to refurbish, revitalise and – where necessary remove and replace other blocks. Roses now bookend each row in a nod to tradition. Roses were once known as “the canary of the coalmine” as they acted as an early-warning system for fungus. They also attracted insects such as aphids away from the vines and were said to encourage draft horses to turn properly because of their punishing thorns.

Our Team

The Winmark Wines estate takes its personality from multi-award-winning businesswoman Karin Adcock. Karin has poured other lifelong loves, ranging from a passion for interiors to expertise in revitalising large properties, into the estate.

Karin is renowned for bringing PANDORA jewellery from her native Denmark to Australia. She started the business in her Northern Beaches garage and transformed it into the world’s most successful PANDORA entity. She achieved double per capita sales of the second most successful PANDORA country, Britain, and five times the sales of Denmark before selling it back to PANDORA.

Karin’s skill is “being the glue” that binds her talented team together helped her win the NSW Telstra Businesswoman of the Year award in 2010.

Karin spent a decade in her youth as a project manager, revitalising scores of large properties in Denmark and offshore, ranging from educational facilities to what was the world’s largest mango farm at the time.

She purchased the former Pooles Rock property, which had been neglected for five years, in 2016 to create a special place for family to gather and connect.

“I am dedicated to restoring Winmark, to creating a unique and beautiful place to explore, experience and unwind,” Karin said. “I am passionate about its history and feel a responsibility to provide an authentic restoration for future generations to share.

“I don’t skimp on the details and I want people’s visit to Winmark to be a unique experience that stays with them.”

Liz Riley, Viticulturist of the Year 2017, has a prestigious list of credentials that began as a teenager and spans global territory.

Liz won the coveted Australian Nuffield Scholarship after completing a Bachelor of Wine Science and travelled to Europe and North America to focus on global agriculture and sustainable viticulture. She has also worked on vintages in the Naper Valley, California.

Liz and her local winemaker husband have lived and worked in the Hunter Valley since 1996.

“You get to know the vines over time,” she said. “You learn to work alongside Mother Nature. No two seasons are the same. I’m always learning and using my knowledge to make good decisions. Timing is everything.”

Liz and Vineyard Manager Dave Grosser have been entrusted to reinvigorate this iconic vineyard because of their reputations, passionate attention to detail and experience.

Dave was born into a viticultural family in Broke to parents who worked collectively for three decades on the Winmark property when it was known as Pooles Rock.

Dave completed a Diploma of Viticulture in 1999 and worked with his father in vineyard development to learn about all facets of viticulture. He started his own consultancy in 2006.

“I love working outdoors in the vineyards,” he said. “The vines talk back to you and respond to how you treat them. They show you what mood they are in. Vineyards are a beautiful thing. They are a living environment that change day by day.”

Dave’s experience, best practice methods and attention to detail have earned him admiration from within the industry.