Janette Elaine Kenworthy passed away at home on the 21 December 2012 at Martins Hill, Apple Tree Flat (Martins Hill Wines).

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Jan left her family too soon, but we have many fond memories of her achievements. Jan with her husband Michael Sweeney established the organic Martins Hill Wines vineyard, planting the first vines in 1985, later expanding the vineyard planting with more vines in 2000. The vineyard was a labour of love for Jan and Michael. It was substantially worked by hand, the vines hand pruned and at harvest time the grapes were picked by hand.

 

Also a labour of love was the construction of the Martins Hill river rock and sandstone home on the hilltop of the property. Together Jan and Michael built their home, taking a number of years, whilst living in the old renovated caretaker cottage located at the front gate entrance of Martins Hill Wines.

 

Jan was a keen potter and they built a new potter's studio near the caretaker's cottage for Jan so she could perfect her love of crystalline glazing. Her pottery was often for purchase at the Mandurah Studio at Mudgee Railway Station where she volunteered her time.

 

Jan's love of the environment and nature extended to the garden. She established a large native garden to encourage the native wildlife. When Jan and Michael first purchased the property to start their new vineyard it was open paddocks.