WHEN Jim Sawyer bought Mount Prior Vineyard in 1989 he discovered liquid gold in the shearing shed.
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Barrels of 1976 vintage port were tucked away in perfect order.
"I've been blending with it ever since," he said.
"People can really appreciate a very old product in Museum Port; because it's so old it's got liqueur characteristics."
Having sold the Mount Prior Vineyard and cellar door in December to a buyer not wanting to continue the winery, Mr Sawyer is now offloading his stock and equipment at a dispersal sale on Saturday.
He said he had 1550 litres of Museum Port, 920 litres of Directors Selection Muscat and a wide range of bulk wines.
"Lots of wineries are interested in the Museum Port but I'd like to try to sell it to the people," Mr Sawyer said.
"We have reserves of port and muscat; some date back to before I took over."
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A retired Barnawartha grazier and businessman, Mr Sawyer bought Mount Prior Vineyard at an auction in Melbourne, almost by chance.
He said he was in the city for a TAFE meeting when he noticed the auction across the road.
The Brisbane Brewing Company had been forced to sell the property when it went into receivership.
"I had a rush of blood to the head and I bought it," he said.
"I was an hour late for my TAFE meeting but when I told them I'd just bought a winery, a big cheer went up!"
Established in 1860 by TC Farmer, the Mount Prior Vineyard had 115 hectares under vines at its peak.
In recent times it has predominantly grown durif, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and chardonnay.
Mount Prior 2012 Durif was awarded a 5-star rating in Winestate Magazine while its 2013 Shiraz gained a 5-star rating in Wine Showcase.
Mr Sawyer said durif had been an important varietal.
"Our reputation has been built on durif," he said.
"It's hard to grow because it matures late and the grapes grow bunched together, which makes it difficult for even ripening."
The grand house on the hill at Mount Prior was built in the late 1800s by Alexander Caughey, who also planted the avenue of olive trees.
Saturday's dispersal sale - titled The Cork has Popped for the Final Time - runs at Mount Prior Vineyard from 9am to 1pm.
Corcoran Parker agent Bo Helwig said a dispersal like this was rare.
"I have definitely never seen anything like this around the region," he said.
The cellar door will continue to operate for 30 days after the sale. It opens seven days, 10am to 4pm.