Couple's farming venture blossoms

Rusty letters attached to an old farm gate that leads into Crofters Fold Estate's Rose and Peony paddock, are the same as those once found at the entrance to ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus' school of philosophy known as 'The Garden'.

The quote sums up the Epicurean belief that a happy, tranquil life is one in which you are living self-sufficiently in tune with the natural world without fear or pain and surrounded by good friends, food and wine.

It also underpins the approach that husband and wife duo Danielle White and Ashley Wren employ to run their award-winning artisanal cut-flower and sparkling wine business in the Macedon Ranges.

The couple purchased their small 30-acre Pipers Creek holding back in 2012 as a rundown weekender.

Upon purchase, their initial plan was to continue growing Ash's organic garlic.

However the sandy, loamy soil in this granite country gave them cause to reconsider, and having grown up on the land (Danielle's family farmed sheep and cattle in the Macedon Ranges from the mid-1800s, while Ash's family is from Ballarat) the couple were open to trying something new.

"The vines were left to grazing sheep and passing mobs of kangaroos, gorse hid majestic granite outcrops from view and sycamore trees, broom, thistles and hawthorn were taking over the pastures," Mr Wren recalled.

Seven years and lots of hard work later, Crofters Fold Estate produces small-batch Blanc De Noirs sparkling wine and grows perfumed roses and peonies for supply to the local wedding and events cut-flower markets.

"We farm our flowers and grapes using what we refer to as 'bee-friendly' methods, which means we use minimal intervention and aim to attract, rather than harm, beneficial insects and biodiversity," Dr White said.

The couple tend about 1000 perfumed rose bushes; a combination of David Austin, Hybrid Tea and Floribunda varieties, which they sell by the bucket of 50 stems by pre-order from mid-late November through to April/May.

While their peonies are typically available from around late November for a short three to four week period.

As for their wine, Crofters Fold Estate produces no more than 500 bottles per vintage (the final output is determined by how harsh and how late the frosts are).

But, true to practice, rather than buy grapes in from other growers or grow their roses under cover, the pair are happy to accept what Mother Nature decides.

"We don't want a life of angst worrying about the weather," Mr Wren said.

"Working with the seasons means just that and we've learnt to accept that some seasons will be outstanding while others will be less so."

Conveniently positioned midway between Melbourne and Bendigo, the couple are able to supply clients within a 100-kilometre radius, which adds to the sustainability of their business.

"We deliver in the Daylesford-Macedon Ranges region and by minimum order to Melbourne, Bendigo and Kilmore as well as sell our flowers directly from our farmgate (by appointment only)," Dr White explained.

In keeping with traditional farming, they have just listed their Farmhouse Lodge on Airbnb to add to their multilayered enterprise.

Visit www.croftersfold.com.au for more information.