An award-winning winery was the last thing Jan Brydges expected to establish when she originally decided to pack up and move to the picturesque South Burnett with her son.  At the time, she had merely been looking for somewhere peaceful to raise her family and open a bed & breakfast.

A well known name in the real estate industry, Brydges came across land overlooking the stunning Lake Barambah -- and instantly fell in love. After years of hard work, the Brydges transformed what was previously a disused grazing paddock littered with fallen trees, old fences, rusted machinery and a derelict barn into the charming estate it is today. The Brydges family moved to the estate in 1994.

That same year, the Macarthur Report was released, revealing that the South Burnett region was perfect for making wines, likening its climate and soils to the lower Hunter Valley and famous wine regions in Europe.

By 1996, the estate was already hosting guests and the first plantings, two acres of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, were planted. The Brydges selected these varieties on the basis of their suitability to the region's climate and also because they believed the flavours characteristic of these varieties best suited typical Queensland cuisine.

The following year, a further nine acres of vines were planted, enlarging the vineyard to its current size and composition of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Verdelho, Shiraz and Merlot to suit a range of palates. The property is now a thriving business, producing premium quality grapes and cellar door.
The first Chardonnay was harvested in 1998. It was barrel fermented and matured in 300-litre French oak hogsheads. Ultimately, it won three stars at Winestate when first bottled, and four and a half out of five stars in 1999.

Today, Jan Brydges has turned over day-to-day operations to her son Alex, who runs the vineyard in close consultation with the winemakers involved, bringing the winery his lifetime of experience understanding the process of growing and producing premium grapes.

Located just 2 ½ hours from Brisbane or 1 ½ hours from the Sunshine Coast, Bridgeman Downs Cellars is a great place to visit for a day trip or an overnight stay in local accommodation while exploring the surrounding wineries and other places of interest. The Bjelke-Peterson Dam alongside Bridgeman Downs also offers not only spectacular views, but also fishing and boating activities.