When John Cassegrain, his wife Eva and three investors purchased Cassegrain Wines from his family in 2001, a new era for viticulture on the North Coast of New South Wales commenced. John had a goal to create a well structured, yet reasonably priced product for both domestic and international markets. Now, with a swag of medals and trophies under their belt, Cassegrain Wines and their familiar 'Silver Circle' logo are well on the way to becoming a household name.

Cassegrain have also been helping a number of other wineries in Australia produce quality wines. Four years ago they established a specialist winemaking facility that has been designed to cater for small to medium-sized wine companies. The contract services offered by Cassegrain can start at the vineyard and progress right through to bottling and distribution if necessary.

Their experienced and highly qualified winemaking team is lead by John. John, an oenology graduate from South Australia's renowned Roseworthy College, is rapidly emerging as one of Australia's most highly regarded winemakers. Prior to Cassegrain Wines, he had worked 10 vintages with Tyrells Winery in the Hunter Valley, experienced vintages in Burgundy and the Loire Valley, and had presented a thesis on natural fermentation at California's Davis University.

In the winery, John's principal aim is to ensure that the characteristic flavours of fruit are maintained and enhanced during the winemaking process and delivered in the bottle to the consumer. His success is amply illustrated by the awards he has gained for Cassegrain and other wine companies.

John said that Cassegrain's aim as contract winemakers is to produce the best possible wine from any company's fruit, in a style that suits their winery’s individual needs. "We are a service-orientated company, with a focus on quality and a long-term view to partnerships," he explained.

John went on to say that the Cassegrain winemaking facility helps smaller wineries reduce the financial pressures of wine production and assist in the creation of premium quality wines at competitive prices. "Cassegrain produce over 25,000 cases and bottles a further 20,000 cases for 15 wineries around NSW per annum," he said. "And we maintain consistency for our clients every year."

Cassegrain's winemaking services consist of an efficient 'fruit receiving' area permitting immediate processing, pre-harvest maturity analysis, versatile wine styles and technologies, barrel storage, comprehensive and secure documentation, bottling and dry goods procurement, label design and labeling of wine.

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