Love wine and looking for a new home? This one’s ripe for the picking.
The oldest and only working winery in Ipswich has hit the market.
The 478 Middle Road, Purga property along with its vineyards will be auctioned this week.
Ironbark Ridge Vineyard has been with its current owners, the Hoffensetz, for 34 years ago when it was purchased for $48,000 and turned into a working winery.
Bronwyn Hoffensetz moved to the property when she was 15 and there wasn’t a grape in sight.
“My father established the vineyards,” she said. “But now he’s past retirement age, and it’s just time to move on.”
Ms Hoffensetz said she would always have fond memories of living on the property.
“It was always a bit of fun in picking season – of course there was always the odd grape fight,” she said.
The rural property has attracted everything from weddings to kids parties over the years – and even featured on a tourism television show that aired on Channel Seven last year.
“People come out to see the vineyards and taste wine, and end up wanting to hold their parties here,” Ms Hoffensetz said.
The property sits on 45 acres – about eight under grape – on top of Nelson’s Ridge and is 10 minutes from the Ipswich central business district.
The main home has four bedrooms and two bathrooms.
The vineyard houses nine varieties of plantings that have won over 40 awards. It has two dams that provide irrigation to the vineyard.
“There has been interest from a few people, but you never know who will end up buying – but I do hope they keep it as a winery,” Ms Hoffensetz said.
The owners are seeking a seachange after selling, but they are not sure where yet. Maybe somewhere they can enjoy a nice glass of wine, perhaps.
The auction will start at 11.30am on Saturday at the residence.