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Ben Ean, formally known as Lindeman’s Estate, has been acquired by the McGuigan and Peterson families, returning the property to its historical roots of the Hunter Valley. The McGuigan and Peterson families are dedicated to maintaining and developing the estate as a salute to some of the best-known viticulturists and winemakers of the last 170 years in the Hunter. The team have been busy bringing the 174 year strong Winery & Vineyard back to its former glory after extensive refurbishment to the Cellar Door, Restaurant, Function, Still House & Winery areas.
Henry Lindeman was born in 1811 in Egham, Surrey, England. A graduate of London’s famous St. Bartholomew’s Hospital medical College, he discovered winemaking while travelling through Europe in the late 1830’s
In 1840, Dr Lindeman and his wife Eliza Bramhall set off on a voyage to start a new life in Australia.
In 1843, Dr Lindeman planted the first vines on his 816 acre property at “Cawarra” deep in the Hunter Valley.
There in the rich soils of the Paterson River flats, he planted Reisling, Verdelho and Shiraz grapes and set about building a cottage, a winery and a cellar to age his wines until they were ready for release.
In 1850, with seven years of winemaking under his belt and barely a drop consumed, Dr Lindeman’s cellar was set on fire by an arsonist and destroyed.
Not to be deterred from his passion of winemaking, he is believe to have set out to nearby gold mines to work as a doctor. He recovered his fortune and in 1853 was able to successfully rebuild his wine business.
In 1855, Henry and Eliza built their beautiful two-storey stone homestead at Cawarra.
By 1863, they had settled in with 10 children:
Harriet Jane (1841), Mary Eliza (1844), Arthur Henry (1846), Louisa Fanny (1849), Sidney Alfred (1851), Charles Frederick (1854), Matilda Emily (1856) Herbert William (1858), Henry John Jr (1861) and Lilian (1862).
In 1858, Lindeman’s exported its first wine, introducing the Lindeman’s Cawarra Claret to the UK.
By 1862, Lindeman’s wines were being exhibited widely around the world.
It was also in 1862 that Lindeman’s Cawarra gained international recognition at the International Exhibition, London. The accolades and awards that continued to follow founded Lindeman’s now global renown.
By the 1860’s, Dr Lindeman was an advocate of sourcing the best fruit from neighbouring vineyards, and in time, other wine growing regions.
The cross-regional sourcing helped to meet increasing demand and consistently deliver high quality wines regardless of vintage challenges, regional variation and the changing tastes of consumers.
On 23 May 1881, aged 70, Dr Lindeman sadly passed away at the Cawarra homestead.
His sons continued the family business, Charles as manager, Arthur as winemaker and Henry as wine taster.
From then, the business was fully in the care of the Lindeman sons and continued to flourish.
It was in the 1980’s that Lindemans’s most well know wine was created: Lindeman’s iconic Bin 65 Chardonnay.
Bin 65 Chardonnay was launched in Canada in 1985 in response to the popularity of Lindeman’s approachable and fruit-driven style of wines in the northern hemisphere.
Following its success in Canada and the United States, Lindeman’s Bin 65 was the ‘brought home’ to Australia in 1991.
Today, the Bin Series has grown to incorporate 19 popular varieties. Bin 65 Chardonnay captured the world’s adoration of Australian styles of wine and has propelled the popularity of Lindeman’s on an international scale.
Today, the Lindeman’s portfolio includes the iconic Lindeman’s Bin Series, the Gentleman’s Collection, Cawarra as well as regionally distinct wines from the Hunter Valley and Coonawarra.
The innovative lighter in alcohol and calorie range Lindema’s Early Harvest* and zero-alcohol range Maiden Press** are also important ranges in the Lindeman’s family.
Lindeman’s wines are designed to be opened, enjoyed with generosity and inspire connection with friends and family.
Lindeman’s is enjoyed 80 million times a year in over 100 countries around the world with the coveted position as the number one selling Australian wine in three countries. Lindeman’s is renowned for making wines that people simply love to drink.
* Lindeman’s Early Harvest wines are at least 25% lighter in alcohol and calories when compared to wine stated on the bottle.
** Maiden Press contains no more than 0.5% alcohol by volume from natural fruit fermentation.
In October 2017, The Ben Ean property at McDonalds Road Pokolbin, was acquired by the McGuigan and Peterson families, returning the property to its historical roots in the Hunter Valley.
The McGuigan and Peterson families are dedicated to maintaining and developing the estate as a salute to some of the best-known viticulturists and winemakers of the last 170 years in the Hunter.
The team have been busy bringing the 174 year strong Winery & Vineyard back to its former glory after extensive refurbishment to the Cellar Door, Restaurant, Function, Still House & Winery areas.
