THE VINEYARD
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In late 2019, I stumbled upon the chardonnay site while immersing myself in the serene sub-alpine rivers of the Upper Yarra and Goulburn Valleys, a sanctuary for trout fishing. As I gazed upon the Cathedral Range from the banks of the Little River, I noticed old vineyards descending from the northern reaches.
In 2021, my curiosity led me to explore the Cathedral Range vineyard further. Initially drawn to establish my own wine label, I met with the owners, Phil and Christine Challen, stewards of the vineyard site for nearly four decades. Their commitment to organic practices, regenerative cover crops and preserving the surrounding forest resonated deeply with me.
Embracing a quieter period in their lives Phil and Christine shared their plans to uproot the vineyards and convert the land for cattle farming. Feeling a profound connection to the site's ecological heritage, I proposed to care for it.
Since then, we've nurtured the vineyard, growing chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon and merlot, with reverence for its cool microclimate and diverse soils —rich in basalt, iron and granite—a testament to the region's ancient volcanic history.
Our commitment to organic practices and biodiversity enhancement guides our stewardship, ensuring that the vines, given their age, yield grapes of quality.
The climate is cool, the vines are old and the soils are striking.
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We acknowledge the Taungurung People, the traditional custodians of the land on which we grow and harvest these grapes and make wine, and we extend our respects to their Elders past and present.
THE MAKER
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George McCullough is an award-winning sommelier. After more than a decade importing and selling wine on the restaurant floor, he decided it was time to make his own
Context is everything to George. Given his fascination with food and wine and the interplay of the two in a dining setting —the styles of wine produced are generally more savoury, leaning into gastronomic purpose.
GUM is an exploration of Central Victorian vineyards, sustainable farming practices and minimal intervention winemaking techniques.
My intention as a winemaker is to express the terroir of these vineyards and vintage.
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George McCullough is an award-winning sommelier. After more than a decade importing and selling wine on the restaurant floor, he decided it was time to make his own
Context is everything to George. Given his fascination with food and wine and the interplay of the two in a dining setting —the styles of wine produced are generally more savoury, leaning into gastronomic purpose.
GUM is an exploration of Central Victorian vineyards, sustainable farming practices and minimal intervention winemaking techniques.
My intention as a winemaker is to express the terroir of these vineyards and vintage.
MAILING LIST
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Join the mailing list
CONTACT & SOCIALS
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george@gum.wine
Instagram
STOCKISTS
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Wines are sold directy from the winery or can be found at restaurants and retailers across Australia.
VICTORIA
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Restaurants:Attica, Apollo Inn, Bahama Gold, Bar Merenda, Builders Arms Hotel, Cam’s Kiosk, Cathedral Coffee, Chauncy, Chronicles, City Wine Shop, Clover, Du Fermier, Embla, Florian, Gemini, Gimlet at Cavendish House, Grossi Florentino, Hope St Radio, Julie, Kafeneion, Kirk’s Wine Bar, La Perla, Lee Ho Fook, Lene, Napier Quarter, OMY, Osteria Illaria, Pipi’s Kiosk, Pizzeria Magma, Poodle, Portsea Hotel, Railway Club, Royal Oak, Serai, Stokehouse, Tedesca Osteria, The Albert Park Hotel, The Lincoln, The Surly Goat
Retailers: Bottega Tasca, Blackhearts & Sparrows, Cardwell Cellars, City Wine Shop, DITC, King & Godfree, Milton, Our Terroir, Queensmith, Samuel Pepy’s, Tendril Wine Store, The Alps, The Moon Wine Store, The Recreation, Tom’s Liquor Merchant, Toorak Cellars, VInoshi’s Beverage Shop, Winespeake
NEW SOUTH WALES
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Restaurants: 10 William St, Ester, Le Foote, Snack Kitchen Potts Point,
Retailers:Good Pair Days, DRNKS, Vera Wine Shop
ACT
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Retailers:
Paranormal Wines
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
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Retailers:
Sometimes Always
QUEENSLAND
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Restaurants:
Half Moon Wine Store
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Join the mailing list
CONTACT & SOCIALS
---
george@gum.wine
STOCKISTS
---
Wines are sold directy from the winery or can be found at restaurants and retailers across Australia.
VICTORIA
---
Restaurants:Attica, Apollo Inn, Bahama Gold, Bar Merenda, Builders Arms Hotel, Cam’s Kiosk, Cathedral Coffee, Chauncy, Chronicles, City Wine Shop, Clover, Du Fermier, Embla, Florian, Gemini, Gimlet at Cavendish House, Grossi Florentino, Hope St Radio, Julie, Kafeneion, Kirk’s Wine Bar, La Perla, Lee Ho Fook, Lene, Napier Quarter, OMY, Osteria Illaria, Pipi’s Kiosk, Pizzeria Magma, Poodle, Portsea Hotel, Railway Club, Royal Oak, Serai, Stokehouse, Tedesca Osteria, The Albert Park Hotel, The Lincoln, The Surly Goat
Retailers: Bottega Tasca, Blackhearts & Sparrows, Cardwell Cellars, City Wine Shop, DITC, King & Godfree, Milton, Our Terroir, Queensmith, Samuel Pepy’s, Tendril Wine Store, The Alps, The Moon Wine Store, The Recreation, Tom’s Liquor Merchant, Toorak Cellars, VInoshi’s Beverage Shop, Winespeake
NEW SOUTH WALES
---
Restaurants: 10 William St, Ester, Le Foote, Snack Kitchen Potts Point,
Retailers:Good Pair Days, DRNKS, Vera Wine Shop
ACT
---
Retailers:
Paranormal Wines
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
---
Retailers:
Sometimes Always
QUEENSLAND
---
Restaurants:
Half Moon Wine Store