This special A Friend of Mine episode is a live roving interview from the 45th Murrumbateman Field Days – a testament to the power of community support and collaboration. More than just a showcase of agricultural innovation and local craftsmanship, the field days brings together people from across the region, reinforcing the strong ties that bind the community.
Held on October 19 and 20, the Field Days offers everything from advanced farming equipment to locally produced goods, all set in a relaxed, family-friendly environment that embodies the spirit of Murrumbateman.
Murrumbateman is a town in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales. It is on the Barton Highway, about 30 kilometres north-west of Canberra, and is part of the Yass Valley Shire.
Surrounded by rolling green vineyards in the heart of cool climate wine country, the Murrumbateman region is home to 20 world-class boutique wineries.
At times you will hear the sounds of our surroundings whether it's some of the 15,000 people in attendance, machinery, carnival rides, livestock, or even a helicopter. These sounds make it seem like you’re standing right there with us, sharing a quick catch-up.
Meet our three special guests.
Stephanie Helm from The Vintner's Daughter shares her journey of blending tradition with innovation in winemaking, emphasising the importance of collaboration among women in agriculture. In pursuit of adopting more organic vineyard practices, Stephanie and her husband Ben are breeding a flock of Babydoll sheep that can graze through the vineyards year round.
Jennie Curtis from Roogulli Farm introduces us to the charming Babydoll sheep that are perfect for small farms, vineyards and orchards. Jennie has transitioned from landscape architect to fostering cooperation within the sheep breeding community and is president of the Babydoll Sheep Breeders Australia.
Leonie Waldock from Vineyard 1207 reflects on her transition from education to winemaking, highlighting the challenges and joys of running a boutique winery. She talks about the importance of diversifying income streams in the wine industry.
Stephanie Helm, The Vintner's Daughter: Honouring heritage while breaking new ground
For Stephanie Helm, winemaking is part family legacy, part personal calling. Growing up at Helm Wines, her family’s vineyard in Murrumbateman, she began learning the craft at age nine.
“It’s always a bit of a shock to people. But, you know, you grow up on a farm, you learn how to muster sheep or drive tractors. I just learned to make wine,” says Steph.
Now at her own winery, The Vintners Daughter, Stephanie is blending her family’s traditional methods with her own sustainable practices. With a flock of Babydoll sheep grazing through the vineyard, she’s reducing herbicide use and creating a unique experience for visitors.
“During the pandemic, I started researching alternatives to heavy machinery and found a vineyard in New Zealand using these sheep.
“They were just what we needed, so now we have this little menagerie that’s both functional and adorable. I can show people the difference between areas managed with herbicides and those grazed by sheep—it’s become an attraction, but also an educational piece about sustainability.”
Working alongside her father has added a unique dimension to her work.
“Sometimes the advice is welcome, and sometimes I’m like, ‘I did actually go to university and study this’,” she says with a grin.
“Dad didn’t study winemaking; he learned from experience as a former CSIRO scientist. But I went to Charles Sturt University and studied winemaking, so we balance the new with the old. Every season, we still come together to taste our wines and give each other feedback. It’s a family legacy, but also a true partnership.”
Stephanie acknowledges the challenges that come with small-scale winemaking, especially as climate change affects harvests.
“We lost our entire crop in 2020 to smoke taint from the bushfires. It wasn’t just our vineyard—most of the east coast was impacted. We’ve also had severe hailstorms and, last year, a late frost in November.
"You can prepare for some things, but when you’re small, you’re also relying on a lot of hope. We’re just crossing our fingers for an easier run this season.”
Jennie Curtis, Roogulli Farm: Building community through Babydoll sheep
Jennie Curtis’s journey into farming began with her background as a landscape architect and a curiosity about sustainable land management.
At Roogulli Farm, Jennie nurtures a flock of baby doll sheep, perfect for vineyards and orchards as organic “lawnmowers”.
“They’re on the job 24/7. They’ll mow the vineyard and even do the sucker pruning. That’s one less job for humans, and they’re so effective at it.”
Jennie’s commitment to sustainable practices and collaboration led her to being president of Babydoll Sheep Breeders Australia, a society that now includes over 60 registered breeders.
“We actually cooperate instead of competing. Osborne Ridge, for instance, has worked closely with us. We’ll share everything from veterinary supplies to advice on breeding challenges. When you’re a small operation, you don’t need that extra expense, so we share the load. I take great pride in building a breed society where cooperation comes first.”
Jennie also reflects on her experience transitioning from a male-dominated field to a leadership role within Babydoll Sheep Breeders.
“As a landscape architect, you’d go to construction sites where people weren’t too keen to take instructions from a woman. But over time, respect grows when you’re able to listen, adapt and compromise.
"I think that’s what has made me a successful leader; I bring in people from all walks of life to diversify our ideas and approach. If everyone sees it as competition, you won’t make the best decisions.”
Her vision for the Babydoll breed includes expanding its utility across vineyards in Australia.
“There’s high demand, but Babydolls aren’t easy to find. We’re working to grow our flock and eventually provide them to more vineyards across the country. It’s been incredible to see the breed’s potential in sustainable agriculture.”
Leonie Waldock, Vineyard 1207: Finding balance in wine and life
Leonie Waldock and her husband Brett took a leap of faith when they purchased Vineyard 1207, a decision driven by a love for the land.
“We always said we’d never buy a farm, but then you find yourself saying, ‘Oh, actually, yeah, we could do that,’” Leonie laughs.
Today, they run a boutique vineyard in Murrumbateman, managing everything from grape picking to bottling themselves.
Those early days were filled with learning curves, including creative solutions like using electric blankets to keep barrels warm.
“We made our first shiraz with a generator running day and night. We didn’t have power in the shed, so we filled the generator every morning and night. And then in 2020, we faced smoke taint from the fires. It felt like the whole crop was lost. But I thought, ‘I have to do something with these grapes’. Inspired by a gift of Maggie Beer’s cabernet paste, I started making shiraz and chardonnay pastes. It’s turned into an additional product that our customers love.”
Diversifying income is central to Vineyard 1207, and Leonie dreams of opening a cellar door to welcome visitors.
“The Murrumbateman community is such a support network. There’s a group here called the Makers of Murrumbateman, and we’re all in it together. If something’s wrong in the vineyard, you just pick up the phone, and there’s someone willing to help. Our community works like that—someone runs out of glasses, and another winery sends some over. It’s all about collaboration.”
Looking ahead, she and Brett are excited about building their cellar door.
“Our land has amazing views; I can’t wait to share that with people. We’re both working off-farm jobs, but once we have the cellar door, maybe one day I can retire from teaching. But for now, we’re counting down until school holidays so we can get back to the vineyard.”