A cellar door that has set-up shop away from a vineyard, and doesn’t feature Rutherglen’s big, bold wines is enjoying the benefits of being a ‘rule breaker’.
James & Co Wines is a labour of love for winemaker Ricky and his wife Georgie James, who have opened up a cellar door in Rutherglen’s main street.
![Photo: Georgie James Photography](https://media.bordercafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/07084740/Shop-Shots-Georgie-James-Photography-2-1024x681.jpg)
“What we’re doing is non-traditional from a Rutherglen point of view,” Ricky said.
“We’ve got a cellar door in the main street instead of at a winery, and we’re actually not selling Rutherglen wines.
“We live in Rutherglen and we’re Rutherglen locals but we don’t have a vineyard, and instead source our fruit from one of the best growers in Victoria who has a vineyard at Beechworth.
![Photo: Georgie James Photography](https://media.bordercafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/07085149/Shop-Shots-Georgie-James-Photography-12-1024x684.jpg)
“Essentially we’re in the same Shire, in the same district, with Beechworth only 30k’s away, but it offers a completely different climate and style of wine that can be produced.”
While Rutherglen is famous for its bold red wines, Ricky’s passion for a lighter style Sangiovese was established while working at Lowe Wines in Mudgee.
“I just really like Sangiovese as a variety,” Ricky said.
“It’s an easy going every day staple wine from Italy – very adaptable and we can make a number of wines from the same variety.”
Under the James & Co label is a rose’, a Sangiovese cabernet, a straight Sangiovese and this year a sparkling rose’ will also be developed.
There’s an added twist to the cellar door experience at James & Co, with Georgie, who is also a wedding photographer, using the space for her work.
“With Georgie essentially working here, doing her editing and paperwork – we can also have the cellar door open during the week, as well as on weekends,” Ricky said.
![Georgie's photography space, alongside the cellar door.](https://media.bordercafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/07085052/Shop-Shots-Georgie-James-Photography-11-1024x684.jpg)
“If brides want to meet her about her photography, they can come here and perhaps talk over a glass of wine.”
The creative couple, that also leases some family land for farming, is enjoying the fruits of a vision they formulated many years ago.
“Our goal ten years ago was to work for ourselves, have a small wine business and work the farm – and that’s exactly what we’re doing now. We haven’t got much money at the moment, (laughs) but I suppose we’re guiding our own destiny.”
For more information on James & Co Wines visit: https://jamesandcowines.com.au/