Ben & James Crossing
On a dramatic landscape in the foothills of an ancient volcano, Ben and James Crossing are producing elegant wines from a diverse vineyard, and upholding the family’s tradition of innovation.
When James and Ben's parents, Bill and Hatty, planted vines in the late 1990s on their farm in the Orange wine region, they weren’t sure what would grow best. So they planted a bunch of different grape varieties, from Chardonnay and Shiraz to Barbera and Sangiovese. Today Angullong Vineyard is one of the biggest and most diverse in Orange, growing 17 varieties. Together, the brothers are pushing quality and curiosity further than ever.
Living off the land
On the edge of the picturesque Orange wine region, the Angullong vineyard sits above a network of ancient limestone caves. The vineyard – which the family is currently converting to organics – is part of a mixed farming property that’s been in the Crossing family since 1950.
Both born and raised here, Ben started his working life in accounting, and returned to the family business as General Manager. His brother James manages the vineyard, and their wives, Heidi and Edwina, also work in the business.
“We had a lot of fun here as kids, and now our kids have a lot of fun here too,” says Ben. “It’s a pretty isolated spot and that’s one of its appeals. It’s quite a spiritual place for us, because we’ve been here so long.”
Ben and James have embraced the family’s history of vineyard experimentation and planted new emerging varieties in recent years, including Sagrantino, Montepulciano and Malbec. They also spotlight classics that shine in Orange, including Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
“We probably have one of the most diverse vineyard plantings in our region,” says Ben.
“Like most things Australians do, we’re proud of doing things our own way rather than conforming to what other people think we should do. We’re making our own traditions.”
Overseeing production and the business side of things, Ben’s a busy man. The family sell grapes to other wineries in Orange and throughout New South Wales, as well as producing their own award-winning wines, crafted by winemaker Jon Reynolds.
“Our wines have got that regional stamp on them,” says Ben. “We’re not trying to make our wines look like they’re something else – they actually express where we are.”
“We’re proud of doing things our own way, rather than conforming to what other people think we should do. We’re making our own traditions.” – Ben Crossing
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