Jilly Wine—a name synonymous with some of the most sought-after drops in Northern Rivers—is set to expand its presence with a new venture that promises to offer both locals and visitors a unique, behind-the-scenes wine experience. This December, winemaker Jared Dixon will open a dedicated cellar door at the vineyard’s original site in Clunes, just a short drive from Byron Bay.
Dixon, whose wines are a fixture at local hotspots such as Bar Heather, Pixie, and The Eltham Hotel, has long dreamed of creating a space where people can come and explore the process behind Jilly Wine firsthand. “It’s always been a dream to do it,” Dixon tells Broadsheet. “I’ve wanted a place where people can taste our wines and see where they’re made. We’ve been producing wine on this land for the last 13 years, so it feels like the right time to open it up.”
His journey to becoming a winemaker is a far cry from traditional vineyard beginnings. Dixon’s career started in the high-energy kitchens of London, where he developed an interest in wine while working with French chefs who often discussed their family vineyards. What began as a casual curiosity soon became a passion that led him to study wine science at Charles Sturt University and travel the country refining his skills.
In 2012, Dixon crafted his first wine—a Long Ranger Nebbiolo—and in 2018, he planted his first vineyard in Clunes, a region not traditionally known for wine production. “The Northern Rivers isn’t considered a wine region, but I didn’t want to just follow what textbooks say. The climate is changing, and I wanted to see for myself if it could work,” Dixon explains.
The result is a minimal-intervention winery that defies convention, much like Dixon’s past as a musician. “Making wine is a lot like playing music,” Dixon reflects. “It’s creative, and every year it changes. What I’m listening to, who I’m with, even the food I’m eating—all of it impacts the wine I make.”
Jilly Wine’s branding mirrors this creativity, with wines such as Banana Girl and Pepper Boy paired with distinctive, artistic labels designed by friends of Dixon, including Cameron Hawes and Danny Fox, whose artwork is showcased in galleries worldwide. “The artwork tells the story just as much as the wine,” he says. “It’s all part of the experience.”
When the new cellar door opens in December 2024, visitors will have the opportunity to sample wines through various tasting experiences, from simple flights to more immersive tours that explore the winemaking process and vineyard. Cheese and charcuterie boards will complement the tastings, with plans for a full menu once the venue is fully operational.
For Dixon, the growth of Jilly Wine has exceeded his original expectations. “I never set out to build Jilly into what it is today. I just wanted to make good wine and enjoy the process. But now that we’re here, I want to share that with people.”
Jilly Wine’s new cellar door will be located at 1566 Bangalow Road, Clunes, and is set to open its doors in December 2024, offering an authentic, hands-on wine experience in the heart of the Northern Rivers.
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