Nillahcootie Estate is located in North East Victoria on the Midland Highway between Mansfield and Benalla. In 2009 Jim and Maria Kakridas, wine lovers, purchased the Estate with big plans for their family’s future. Their daughter Christina took charge of business operations and in two short years has managed to turn Nillahcootie Estate vineyard into a family owned and operated business. Jim and Maria’s children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces all contribute from vineyard to company management. Leaving the winemaking to some local experts including Ros Ritchie, Sam Plunket and David Ritchie just to name a few. This now family owned and operated Estate is progressing into the local and Melbourne Metropolitan markets and beginning to move their way into the International markets with primary focus on China the United States of America. Varieties include Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Merlot and more recently Semillion. The cool climate and close proximity to Lake Nillahcootie, allows for the production of premium wines. Nillahcootie Estate Vineyards are located at the northern end of Lake Nillahcootie in the Upper Broken River Valley. The first vines were planted on the property in 1988 in a small three acre block known as Maggie’s Paddock. The total length of the vineyard is nineteen and a half kilometers!