Our Journey
You’re the heart of our story
Shale Ridge exists for the moments you make here, letting go, slowing down, and reconnecting with the people who matter. We craft the setting and the sip; you bring the laughter, the conversations, and the memories. That’s our kind of farm-luxury: beautiful, thoughtful, and never stiff.
Farm to glass, so you can feel good about the pour
We know our guests care about what goes into their bodies. We do too. That’s why our wines and ciders are made the way they should be, fruit-first, transparent, and crafted with intention.
What that means here:
- Real fruit, grown with care. Orchard & vineyard fruit you can trace, no shortcuts.
- Traditional methods. Fermentations we steward, not rush; small, attentive batches.
- Nothing sketchy. No artificial flavours, no neon sweetness, no mass-market tricks.
- Balanced by design. Crisp, clean profiles that pair with food and good company.
We got tired of seeing drinks full of sugar and additives. We knew we could do better, farm to glass, literally and keep the joy in a glass of wine or cider.
Why we built Shale Ridge
Alicia grew up on a fruit farm just down the ridge and always dreamed of tying her roots to a place of her own, where craft and hospitality meet. Years later, we left full-time jobs and went all-in on that vision. It wasn’t a retirement project. It was an underdog leap, capital-heavy, complex, and humbling.
We didn’t arrive with all the answers. We learned fast, sought out seasoned growers and makers, invested in the right equipment, and kept listening, to our land and to our guests. The result is a place that feels personal: swings and sunshine, seasonal plates, and glasses that tell the story of where they came from.
the next chapter: a sanctuary for the senses
As Shale Ridge evolved, we realized that the land had more to give than just the harvest. We wanted to create a space that forced a slower pace, a place where the ‘busy’ of life simply couldn’t follow you.
The addition of our private Nordic Spa was born from a personal vision Garren and Alicia shared: to marry the beauty of our estate with the intentionality of traditional hydrotherapy. It’s more than just a Nordic spa; it’s an extension of our home and our belief that the best moments happen when you unplug. Building this together has been a labour of love, designed to offer you the same restoration we found while standing among the vines.
The long way is the right way
Starting from the bottom meant ups and downs, tough lessons, and a lot of perseverance. But when heart and vision stay aligned, you find your way. Every bottle, every table we set, and every smile at the door is a thank-you to the people who believed with us, and to you for being part of it.
Watch our story
Prefer to hear it from us?
Our journey in 5 minutes ↓
