Our Story
Meet The Woods Family
'Friends and wines improve with age'
In 2021, we, the Woods family, embarked on an exciting new chapter by becoming the proud custodians of Vale Creek Wines. As long-time Bathurst residents with deep roots in rural properties across Wagga Wagga and Bathurst, we were thrilled to continue the exceptional legacy of this boutique winery.
The moment we set foot in Vale Creek, we knew we’d found something special. The rolling hills, the neat rows of vines, and the promise of exceptional Italian wines captured our hearts. We couldn’t resist the opportunity to blend our love for the land with our passion for fine wines.
We invite you to visit our cellar door for a guided tasting, where you can savour our range of Italian varietals. When you join our wine club you receive exclusive offers and be the first to try our latest vintages. Or simply take a stroll through our cool climate vineyard and soak in the beauty of Cow Flat.
Come, raise a glass with us, and discover the taste of Tuscany in the heart of NSW. Your Vale Creek adventure awaits!
“Amici e vini sono meglio vecchi” – Friends and wines improve with age
“Salute”
Gerard, Jacqueline, Daniel, Ainsley & James Woods
Our Goal
Our mission is simple yet ambitious – to produce the finest Italian wines in Australia using sustainable methods. We want every sip of Vale Creek wine to transport you to the rolling hills of Tuscany, all while knowing you’re supporting sustainable, local winemaking.
It’s our way of ensuring that this spectacular winery and vineyard can be enjoyed not just today, but for generations to come.
Gerard Woods
VIGNERON
Gerard grew up in Barraba, NSW and has always had a love of the country, agriculture and rural communities.
His agricultural journey began as a jackeroo, immersing himself in the authentic Australian outback experience before a brief stint in Sydney, where he balanced work with his love for rugby
Gerard’s calling to the land led him to Hawkesbury Agricultural College followed by seven years in Walgett NSW. A serendipitous meeting with the ‘British Rose’ Jacqueline at a rugby match, led to a decade in Sydney’s corporate world. Yet, the allure of the land remained strong, with Gerard maintaining a farm in Wagga Wagga throughout this time.
Today, Gerard tends to the picturesque Vale Creek Vineyard and Winery in Cow Flat, 15 minutes south of Bathurst specializing in Italian varietals. His hands-on approach to vineyard management and winemaking reflects his deep-rooted agricultural background. The cool climate of Bathurst provides the perfect conditions for crafting premium, boutique Italian wines.
When not nurturing his vines or overseeing the winemaking process, Gerard can be found tending to his cattle on the adjoining grazing block.
Despite his busy life as a vigneron, Gerard’s greatest joy comes from following the adventures of his children. He loves every opportunity to reconnect with them whenever possible.
Jacqueline Woods
Hailing from the Lake District in the North West of England, Jacqueline was raised in far flung corners of Africa and Indonesia before completing her education in Scotland. A career as a Chartered Accountant blossomed in Bristol and London before the expat itch experienced by her father took hold and a two year secondment to Sydney was arranged. On disembarking the plane on the tarmac in Sydney, the wide open skies cast a spell not yet broken after more than 25 years.
A long standing love of rugby took Jacqueline to Easts Rugby Club one fateful Friday where she met Gerard. And so began her love of country life. Juggling a career and three small kids, with a cattle farmer trapped in a corporate Sydney office, led to the family’s move to Bathurst and a taste of what it means to be a farmer. With the kids now all grown up and firmly ensconced in the region, an opportunity arose in 2021 to take over Vale Creek Wines and open up a whole new farming world. And so the adventure began…….
Consultant Winemaker - Nadja Wallington
Nadja completed her bachelor of Winemaking and Viticulture through Charles Sturt University in 2010 then spent three years overseas working as a winemaker in California, South Africa and Bordeaux.
In 2014 Nadja moved to Orange and worked at Philip Shaw Wines as a part of the winemaking team, before purchasing her own place in 2020 and going on to work in her own wine business “ChaLou Wines” with her husband in 2021.
She has also been involved in an advisory role to her family wine business in Canowindra NSW, and in 2019 Nadja was selected by Wine Australia to be a part of the future leaders program and in 2022 Nadja was a part of the Len Evans Tutorial.
Nadja’s experience is in small wine business, winemaking and wine judging. She is passionate about environmental sustainability, social sustainability and wine excellence.
Appointments: ASVO Treasurer (2021-current), Orange Regional Vignerons Association Vice president (2022), Chair of Orange Wine Show Committee (2019-current)
Awards: Nadja was awarded The Wine Magazines Young Winemaker of the Year 2022. Vale Creek Wines congratulate Nadja on a well deserved honour.
