How it all began.

Raised between Melbourne and East Gippsland, Raquel’s childhood was filled with days spent nurturing fruits and vegetables with her father in their orchard and market garden. Nightly ventures with a torch to fend off slugs from lettuce and caring for their worm farm and compost piles ignited her lifelong fascination with horticulture and soil biology. Despite this early passion, Raquel heeded her parents' advice and pursued a career in the legal field, dedicating over a decade to the profession. Yet, her true interests—wine, cooking, and science—remained steadfast.

When Raquel met Hugh in her early thirties, it was a revelation. They discovered a mutual passion for wine, especially Côte de Beaune Chardonnay. Their travels had already introduced them to the world's vineyards and wines, deepening their appreciation for chardonnay and strengthening Raquel’s particular affinity for tempranillo and albariño in Spain. These journeys, both near and far, continually fuelled their wine passion and shaped their shared future.

After running their businesses in Melbourne for many years, they sold them and took a breather in Europe.Their joint dream crystallised during a wine tour throughout Burgundy in a vineyard in Corton-Charlemagne.They had experienced old-world wine-making methods during solo travels, but this was an intensive exploration of the region together. Returning to Australia, they were resolved to find a place to craft new-world wines that would honour nature and mirror old-world craftsmanship.

Choosing the right vineyard certainly required patience. They wanted a place in Victoria renowned for chardonnay, yet with few wineries, close to family and their Melbourne connections. After exploring areas like Macedon, Beechworth, and Red Hill, Beechworth resonated with them the most.

Hugh's connection to the region is significant. His three-time great-grandfather,Rev. Joseph Waterhouse, a prominent missionary and influential figure in the Methodist Church, served as a Wesleyan minister in Beechworth. Around 1870, he was appointed to the Wesleyan Circuit, a position he held for three years before being appointed to the Echuca district. 

Raquel’s parents had come to Australia through Bonegilla, a migrant camp near Albury, before making their way to Melbourne. Fluent in Italian, Spanish, and German, they made friends with other migrants, many of whom settled in the northeast. Raquel has fond childhood memories of visiting these friends in the northeast, creating an early connection to Beechworth.

Their search for a vineyard in the region took them a 10-minute drive out of Beechworth, along the same Everton Upper stretch of road where premium estates like Giaconda, Savaterre and Castagna reside, to what was then known as the 'Wahlquist Vineyard'. The potential the couple saw confirmed their decision to pursue the property, and after a thorough due diligence period, the 40-acre farm, with its 10-acre vineyard, was finally theirs in 2016.

Before owning the property, fruit from the vineyard had only ever been sold to prestigious wineries for use in some quality wines. In 2018, the couple launched the Weathercraft brand and released their first wines: a 2017 Beechworth Shiraz, echoing the elegance of Rhône, and a 2018 Beechworth Rosé, crafted from 100% shiraz grapes, inspired by their love for Bandol.

Weathercraft emerged from this journey as a testament to Hugh and Raquel's shared passion for wine, deep respect for the land, and unwavering dedication to creating something truly special. It embodies their commitment to stewardship and the craftsmanship rooted in traditional and artisanal methods.

Since 2016, the brand has evolved, expanding its range to include single-varietal wines like Chardonnay, Tempranillo, Albariño, and Pinot Gris, as well as unique blends crafted using clay and other time-honoured techniques. Firmly established in the domestic market, the couple will soon begin looking for potential international opportunities.

about us

Raquel Jones - Co-Founder & Vigneronne

Raquel Jones’ journey into winemaking has been fuelled by decades of passion and a natural talent that has long been brewing. Growing up between Melbourne and East Gippsland, she learned the importance of working with the land and helping her father grow fruit and vegetables. This early connection to horticulture sparked a lifelong interest, leading to formal studies in horticulture, viticulture, and, later, winemaking at Charles Sturt University.

After more than a decade of success in Melbourne's legal industry, Raquel returned to her true passions: wine, cooking, and science. Co-founding Weathercraft allowed her to combine these passions, producing wines that reflect her deep respect for Old World methods and her dedication to knowing where your food comes from.

The road has not been smooth sailing. Raquel was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2023 and underwent surgery to remove half of her left lung. Now in remission, she remains inspiringly optimistic, and her resilience has only strengthened her commitment to winemaking.

She has returned to further study, researching European wines and exploring new ways to elevate both the vineyard and winery. Her natural palate for subtle flavours and textures helps bring an Old World sensibility to the wines, emphasising elegance and complexity.

While Beechworth is known for chardonnay, Raquel, inspired by her Spanish heritage, is determined to position the region as a leader in Iberian varieties as well. ThroughThe Winery Kitchen, she shares her love of food, wine, and the land, offering a glimpse into her world of creativity and passion.

Hugh Jones - Co-Founder

Hugh Jones is a rare individual who has achieved significant life goals, but co-founding a wine business like Weathercraft and championing Australian chardonnay has been a lifelong dream. 

As a well-known mentor, business coach and advocate for high-net-worth individuals in the property industry, Hugh is no stranger to building businesses from the ground up. Over 30 years, he was responsible for founding or co-founding multiple successful property businesses. 

Alongside that professional career, Hugh developed a passion for an outdoor lifestyle, travel and, of course, wine.

Now, the lessons learned from building businesses and nurturing his passions over the years have culminated in the co-founding of Weathercraft. Hugh has deeply immersed himself in the intricate workings of a vertically integrated wine business. From helping manage distribution relationships to proactively reducing the winery's environmental footprint, Hugh continually guides Weathercraft’s evolution, ensuring it excels in both quality and responsible, eco-conscious practices.

In addition to his professional pursuits, Hugh enjoys spending time with his daughter, boating, fishing, and engaging in club motorsport. He also enthusiastically participates in annual charity race days, reflecting his love for both competition and community involvement.