Bell River Estate is located 15kms south of Wellington on the Mitchell Highway, one hour from Orange or Dubbo and 5 hours from Sydney. Bell River Estate began life as Markeita Cellars around 1974 and was founded by Margherita and Keith Reinhard (hence the name). The Cellars were developed by the Reinhard family and specialised in producing quality fortified wines (ports and sherries) and red wine, predominantly Shiraz. The 40 acre property has 8 acres under vine, approximately 6 acres of Muscat, 1 acre of Shiraz and 1 acre of Waltham Cross table grapes. The wet springs, long hot summers and cool winters are ideal for vines and the business thrived under the Reinhard ownership. In June 2000, the Reinhards retired to Wellington and sold the business to Sandra and Mick Banks and with the sale came the name change to Bell River Estate. In January 2001 the focus of the business has not fundamentally changed with perhaps a little more emphasis on marketing table wines to a broader spectrum of country based customers. Wine is sold at the cellar door and through local pubs, clubs and restaurants while bulk wine is shipped to many parts of NSW. Bell River Estate is well placed amid numerous attractions for the casual tourist or visitors staying for longer periods. Within easy driving (1 hour to Mudgee) of both the Hunter Valley and Mudgee, Bell River Estate is close to the established wine tour routes and in addition, is also close to the newer wine areas of Orange and Dubbo. The Macquarie Valley Vigneron's Association (of which Dubbo based Frank Ramsey is the 2001 President) was established at the end of 2000 and can provide details of the wine makers in the Central West. Other attractions in the region include Dubbo Zoo, Wellington Caves, Burrendong Dam (fishing, boating etc.) and numerous restaurants, hotels and motels. Bell River Estate will continue the well established fortified wine business from which the cellar has successfully grown and is widely known and will additionally focus on producing table wines to suit the requirements of country customers.