A NEW VINTAGE
- Donna Rishton
- Dec 2, 2025
- 6 min read
The Northern Rivers is renowned for its colour palette – the brilliant blues of the Pacific Ocean, ribbons of green and gold farmland, leading through to the deep, emerald hues of rainforest. But there are other colours equally deserving of attention: luscious burgundy cabernet, cool coppery pinot gris, and soft rosé pinks that shimmer prettily in your glass. Yes, we’re talking about wines – all produced right here in this region.
By Chris Ashton
Surprised? You’re not alone. While not as prolific as the Hunter Valley or Granite Belt, a handful of local entrepreneurs are quietly turning heads with their bright, fresh, and textural natural wines, crafted from grapes grown locally or sourced from select vineyards near and far.
Jilly Wine Co is arguably the best known. Owner Jared Dixon’s love affair with wine began a world away, in the restaurants of London. Surrounded by French chefs, immersed in stories of family-run vineyards, and tasting exquisite drops, his curiosity soon blossomed into a passion that set his life on a very different path.
Returning to Australia, he studied wine science at Charles Sturt University and honed his craft in wineries from Heathcote in Victoria to Nannup near Western Australia’s Margaret River. But it wasn’t until his family purchased Clunes General Store, just inland from Byron Bay, that his vision for a label of his own took shape in 2012, with grapes sourced from the nearby New England region a chief source of inspiration.
Fast forward to today and Jilly Wine Co has earned a heady reputation for vibrant and expressive wines which reflect the local lifestyle. Recognisable for distinctive artwork and evocative names – Banana Girl, Lone Ranger Falanghina and White Wolf of Cumbria Rosé, among them – their bottles now grace restaurant wine lists and craft bottle shops across the region.
Dixon’s pursuit of premium fruit has now extended from New England to Ballandean, Orange and even Mildura, alongside a two-acre experimental vineyard planted at Clunes in 2018, which has since yielded impressive results, producing 100 magnums last year alone. A cellar door is also sprouting at the winery.
“When I told my wine making buddies that I was moving here and making wine, they were like ‘Oh, you’re mad’”, Dixon says with a laugh. “But that was 2012 and I've sort of etched my own path since then. I’ve pioneered it in a way, planting those grapes firstly to see if it could be done, but also to encourage others to maybe give it a go too.”
Also based in Northern Rivers is Natural Order Wines (NOW) – from second generation biodynamic grape grower and winemaker Pete Windram. While Jilly Wine Co produces its wines in-region, NOW bottles at the source – in the Barossa Valley. Instead, it’s the Byron Bay lifestyle that’s infused in the brand, from surfboards to waves and sun-soaked imagery.
Windram’s philosophy is simple: to make “natural wine for normal people.” He aims to bridge the gap between natural wines and the mainstream, prioritising clean, pure, and approachable drops over experimental or overly “funky” styles. Yet his journey to NOW was far from linear.
“I was raised in the Hunter Valley, and my parents were growing grapes before I was born”, Windram says. Though initially disinterested in the family trade, a late change of heart saw him dive into winemaking, steering the family’s Krinklewood Estate toward a more natural style.
Ready for change a decade later, Windram and his wife eventually settled in Byron Bay in 2017, opening wine bar ‘Supernatural Cellars’ a year later. “It was a riot of fun; I loved it. But when I first heard about Covid spreading through Asia, where friends were running restaurants and bars, I decided to get ahead of it and sell.”
Left with a cellar stocked with around $50,000 worth of wine, Windram pivoted in lockdown – distributing wines across the shire, promoting via social media and delivering each case with handwritten tasting notes and rosemary incense. The idea resonated and eventually led him to launch a subscription wine service, at the encouragement of a customer.
Of all the bottles distributed though, it turned out to be his own Krinklewood wines which drew the most passionate response, prompting an unplanned return to winemaking.
“I was done growing grapes, so I partnered with a friend who owned a winery,” Windram explains. “We set it up as a truly sustainable, close-knit network – everything in the Barossa, from bottling to labels and cartons, all within about a 10-minute drive. I also wanted to build a fresher brand – to make wine fun again. None of that old ‘weathered hands, pruning shears and cowboy hats by the front fence’”.
Hands-on through the entire winemaking process, Windram’s first vintage under the NOW label was released in 2022 and has since expanded to encompass a mix of wines and varietals, including the sparkling ‘Lake of Stars’ pét nat and ‘Drip Music’ cabernet franc / merlot.
Though he has no plans to move production to Byron, Windram is eyeing a collaboration with Jared Dixon on a locally grown wine, using grapes from an organic vineyard he rehabilitated in Ewingsdale, and supporting other winemakers seeking to make their mark.
Locale’s wine picks:
From Jilly Wine Co, try the New England Chardonnay ’23 — bright, textural and effortlessly drinkable, much like the region itself. And from Natural Order Wines, the 2023 ‘Imaginarium’ Rosé captures the sunshine and easy charm of Byron in every glass.
Specialist wine stores in the Northern Rivers
Salty Grapes, Cabarita
Born from a love of authentic, expressive wines and the joy of discovery, Salty Grapes is more than a wine store. Alongside organic, biodynamic, or sustainably produced wines, it offers curated hampers in line with its motto: Let the moment choose the wine.
3/49 Tweed Coast Road, Cabarita NSW 2488
Luna Wine Store, Byron Bay
Much like slow food, Luna is all about slow wine – inviting wine fans in for a chat, a browse and chance to pick up something a little different. Featuring a selection of natural, organic and biodynamic wines, it offers everyday drops to rare, collectible small production wines.
2/140 Jonson Street, Byron Bay NSW 2481
Natural Wine Shop & Bar, Burringbar
Half boutique wine store, half speakeasy, this gem is a destination in its own right, offering tastings, takeaways and an intimate venue to raise a glass over a seasonal meal.
29 Broadway, Burringbar NSW 2483
Isola Wine, Ballina
Metres from the Richmond River, Isola plates up light bites and curated tasting flights, with a curated range of unique and artisanal wines. Events and hampers are a specialty.
6/2 Martin Street, Ballina NSW 2478
Curious Craft, Lismore
Celebrating the magic that goes into boutique beers, wines and spirits, this Lismore playground prioritises quality over quantity. Featuring a range of independent tipples, owner Bec is passionate about the stories and the craft behind every drop.
121 Keen Street, Lismore NSW 2480
A Toast to Our Neighbours
Just across the border, winemakers in Tamborine Mountain - and the Granite Belt a little further inland - are leading the way with Queensland-made wines that blend passion and place. From buttery whites to bold reds and small-batch spirits, these boutique wineries offer cellar door experiences that are as warm and characterful as the drops they pour.
Bent Road Winery & Distilling
A deep respect for craft lies at the heart of Bent Road Winery & Distilling. Producing small-batch wines and artisanal spirits, the team here celebrates the art of fermentation in all its forms. Expect an enticing varietal mix that sits outside your everyday, some well-known favourites, and a cellar door that feels more like a friend's home than a tasting room.
Wine pick: La Petite Mort LPM Chardonnay 2023 Ballandean| bentroad.com.au
Witches Falls Winery
Set amid Tamborine’s lush hinterland, Witches Falls Winery is known for wines of elegance and depth – reflections of both the region and the season. The inviting cellar door opens onto sweeping hinterland views, inviting guests to linger over tastings that engage all the senses.
Wine pick: 2023 Provenance Albariño Mount Tamborine| witchesfallswinery.com.au
Mason Winery
Steeped in tradition yet refreshingly down-to-earth, Mason Winery offers a warm welcome and consistently crafted wines that celebrate the richness of the mountain terroir. From full-bodied reds to aromatic whites, each bottle tells a story of care, climate and connection.
Wine pick: 2021 Verdelho Mount Tamborine | masonwinery.com.au
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