“With no external investors demanding short term dividends, there was no compromise – the vineyard and winery got whatever we decided was required to produce the best grapes and wine possible. Though we faced plenty of challenges, it is satisfying to be involved in the entire process, from vineyard to glass,” she says.

Jeni was offered the option to either sell her share of Curly Flat or purchase her former husband’s share. Jeni chose to be the sole owner of Curly Flat because she didn’t want it to lose its character, and she wanted it to be owned by someone who loved it.

Her corporate finance background (for years she commuted between New York and Australia) means running a business is in her blood. Beyond balancing the books and marketing the wine, Jeni is actively involved in vineyard operations. She even still picks grapes when she can.

A passionate pinot fan, Jeni is proud to fly the flag for Australian pinot production.

“Shiraz is like a weed – it prospers without much effort. But you really need to know what you’re doing when growing pinot grapes. When we planted ours, there weren’t many Australian pinot producers, but they’ve exploded over the years. Macedon Ranges pinot producers are now hitting their straps,” says Jeni, who is equally passionate about the region’s other charms.

“The villages and towns have got real character. Then there’s the beautiful scenery when driving through Mount Macedon. It’s magical,” she says.

When you visit the cellar door, you might be greeted by Carolyn, Doug, their children, or even Carolyn’s octogenarian mother, Anne, who helps out on weekends.

“We really enjoy welcoming visitors to Captains Creek, sharing our story, our wines and delicious food, helping to create an amazing experience for guests to remember,” says Carolyn.

Captains Creek’s Sparkling Hepburn is incredibly popular, as are the cellar door’s grazing plates loaded with local delicacies such as house-made dips and pickles, Goldfields Farmhouse Cheese, charcuterie and sourdough from Le Péché Gourmand in Creswick.

Carolyn explains that there’s a great sense of camaraderie between the close-knit community of local producers who she often shares a story with at the Swiss Mountain Hotel. It’s this type of connection that makes the region so special to Carolyn.

“We live in such a beautiful part of the world. We’re so blessed,” she says.