Matteo Zema opened the first wine bar/tavern in Armo, Reggio Calabria in 1835, much to the angst of the local authorities at the time. Although the tavern no longer exists, it was this legacy and a passion for wine that has been passed down from generation to generation. After migrating to Australia, Nicola Zema started working for Wynns in 1953, hand pruning, picking and planting, a job that continued through until his retirement in 1975.

The wines are made using traditional techniques and a hands off philosophy to create wines full of character. Proud of the region's German heritage, the brand was named in honour of Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, a brave and progressive man who thought big, really big.