Emeri De Bortoli in her famous garden, which she calls her “labour of love”. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Eight spectacular Griffith private gardens will be open for public viewing between 10 am and 4 pm on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October as part of the Griffith Spring festival.
The Open Gardens event, which has been held in town for the past 32 years, is a chance to experience the horticultural tapestry of the region, with each garden owner showcasing their own unique landscapes, vibrant flora and design inspirations.
“We are excited to announce that this year we have three new gardens for you to explore: Jenny and Richard Fletcher’s garden on Crook Rd, Fiona and Michael Smith’s garden on Myall Park Road, and Cathy Stockton’s garden in Yenda,” events coordinator Izabella Apolloni said.
“Also opening up their beautiful gardens again for 2024 are Ron and Lyn Anson, Trish and Louis Sartor, Marj and Mick Careri, Tori Horder and Lawrence Salvestrin, and Emeri De Bortoli.”
The 86-year-old matriarch of the De Bortoli Winery has often showcased her 14-acre (5.6-hectare) oasis. It features a vast manicured lawn, specimen plants, sculptures, dry riverbeds, lagoons, billabongs, a waterfall, a Venetian bridge, narrow walkways, drystone walls, a wooden teepee and a folly.
“To me, gardening is the best therapy. When you’re in the garden, you are concentrating on the plants, not anything else,” Ms De Bortoli said.
“I get my ideas from visiting other gardens [like in] Rome and Venice.”
It was two decades ago that Mrs De Bortoli transformed a large plot of dirt into a memorial garden dedicated to her late husband. Deen was the son of Vittorio and Giuseppina De Bortoli, Italian immigrants who founded the winery in 1928.
Emeri’s “labour of love” has survived two major floods and two droughts, but thanks to meticulous care the family has been able to expand it and add new features.
Trish and Louis Sartor will display their picturesque country garden set among a citrus orchard near the village of Hanwood. Photo: Visit Griffith.
Over the 19-20 October weekend, each of the eight gardens can be accessed after paying an $8 per person entry fee. Tickets can be prepurchased at the Griffith Tourism Hub at 1 Jondaryan Avenue for those wishing to pay via EFTPOS, or alternatively it will be cash only at each of the garden entry gates on the day. Under 16-year-olds are free to enter. Money raised will go to a charity of the gardener’s choice.
Another way people can take in the beauty of Griffith’s private gardens and enjoy the serene landscape along the way is by booking a Garden Bus Tour, sponsored by accountancy firm Roy Spagnolo & Associates.
These exclusive tours will run over the same weekend and include four gardens each day and a light lunch. The cost is $60 per adult and $30 per child, with bookings essential.
A preview and map of all eight gardens on display can be found on the Griffith Spring Fest website, where you can also book your bus tour.
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