MEET THE PRODUCER

Daniel Maroulis, cattle breeder and vigneron, East Gresford, NSW

Having been involved in farming all his life, there is one thing that Daniel Maroulis knows for sure: you genuinely have to love it. “It can be brutal work, from drought, fire, locusts to rain at the wrong time,” he says. “You really have to love it to put up with the highs and the lows.” Daniel lives at East Gresford on a 95-hectare property on the Allyn River at the foot of the Barrington Tops. He breeds black angus cattle, never overstocking, even in times of great feed. “We don’t want the land to be overworked to encourage natural rejuvenation,” he says. He also has eight hectares under vine, growing chardonnay, verdelho, merlot, pinot noir and shiraz for the wine label he runs with his wife, Jane, called Boydell’s. They have recently opened a cellar door and restaurant — where their beef is served — in nearby Morpeth. “Diversifaction and variety is not only the key to farming, it is also the spice to life” explains Daniel of his decision to run cattle and tend to vines. “It helps that I don’t mind a tasty grass-fed steak and a glass or two of good red wine!” Boydell’s, 2 Green St, Morpeth, NSW, (02) 4933 5862, boydells.com.au