Mary Penfold

· Bolinda · Narrated by Elizabeth Parisi
Audiobook
11 hr
Unabridged
Eligible
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About this audiobook

Mary Penfold packed up her baby daughter in England in 1844 to follow her husband Dr Christopher Rawson Penfold as he chased his dream of starting a new life in the infant colony of South Australia. The family settled on a farm beneath the Adelaide Hills, and, while Christopher made his rounds visiting patients, Mary and her maid, Ellen Timbrell, tended the grapevines that the Penfolds had sourced from the south of France and planted beside their stone cottage, The Grange. At a time when women were often excluded from commerce, Mary transformed her cottage industry into a thriving business empire. She expanded her vineyard, developed new styles of her product and built a flourishing company that supplied not only Australia’s demand for high-quality wine, but thirsty export markets as well. Wine had been part of the Australian landscape since the First Fleet, and 'The Commander in Chief', as Mary was affectionately known, helped make the Australian wine industry the envy of the world. Her brilliance as a vintner and great business mind lives on today, with Penfolds Grange being one of the most sought-after vintages in the world.
Mary Penfold packed up her baby daughter in England in 1844 to follow her husband Dr Christopher Rawson Penfold as he chased his dream of starting a new life in the infant colony of South Australia. The family settled on a farm beneath the Adelaide Hills, and, while Christopher made his rounds vi...

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About the author

Award-winning journalist and bestselling author Grantlee Kieza OAM held senior editorial positions at The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph and The Courier-Mail for many years and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his writing. He is a Walkley Award finalist and the author of more than 20 acclaimed books, including the bestsellers Hudson Fysh, The Kelly Hunters, Lawson, Banks, Macquarie, Banjo, Flinders, Mrs Kelly, Monash, Sons of the Southern Cross, Bert Hinkler, Sister Viv and Mary Penfold. His latest work is Ellen Savage and the Heroes of AHS Centaur (2026).

Elizabeth Parisi is a Melbourne-based actor and voice artist with an extensive repertoire. Complemented by a background in acting and journalism, she is well known for her work across a range of Australian film and television productions. She has previously appeared in Blue Heelers as Melissa Reeves, starred in Neighbours as Lana Kline and played Mrs Harrison in Xue Xiaolu’s feature The Whistleblower. Elizabeth is a frequent guest on Melbourne's 3AW radio station and has narrated acclaimed audiobooks, including River Song by Di Morrissey and a number of narrative non-fiction books by bestselling author Grantlee Kieza.

Award-winning journalist and bestselling author Grantlee Kieza OAM held senior editorial positions at The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph and The Courier-Mail for many years and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his writing. He is a Walkley Award finalist and the aut...

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