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South Australian Wines
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Grape growing and winemaking has been a large part of the Zema Family history and heritage dating back to the 1800s
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.
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The Casella family has been making wine in the Riverina since 1965
Filippo and Maria Casella emigrated to Australia bringing with them their know-how acquired through three generations of grape-growing and winemaking in Italy. Recognising the potential of the region, Filippo purchased a farm in the town of Yenda, New South Wales. After selling the grapes from his farm to local wineries, he decided in 1969 that it was time for a new generation to put its winemaking skills to use, and the winery was born.
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Yalumba, Australia's oldest family owned and operated winery, has a wealth of history and tradition
Yalumba was founded in 1849 by Samuel Smith, British migrant and English brewer, who had brought his family to Angaston seeking a new life. After purchasing a 30-acre parcel of land just beyond the southern-eastern boundary of Angaston, Smith and his son began planting the first vines by moonlight. Samuel named his patch Yalumba, aboriginal for 'all the land around'.
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Nestled in the heart of Coonawarra is the famous three-gabled Wynns Coonawarra Estate winery 400km south east of Adelaide South Australia
The oldest operating winery in the region, today visitors are invited to enjoy a tasting of current and back vintage wines in a world-class tasting facility. Time spent at Wynns Coonawarra Estate leaves visitors with a powerful and lasting impression of Coonawarra.
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For more than 170 years Wyndham Estate has set the benchmark for quality Australian wines, proudly wearing the title of 'industry pioneer' responsible for launching Australian wines onto the world stage
English immigrant George Wyndham began this most important page in Australia's winemaking history in 1828 when he planted his first vineyard at Dalwood, along the banks of the Hunter River, in New South Wales. Seven years later Dalwood Wines, as it was then known, released its first vintage to rave reviews and by the mid-1800s was exporting to England and India.
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Wrattonbully Vineyards
Wrattonbully Vineyards is an Estate established by the Hill Smith family in 1994. It is sited in the recently discovered region of Wrattonbully, a near-northern neighbour of Coonawarra within South Australia’s Limestone Coast. The vineyard site was chosen for its soil types (principally shallow red soils over limestone), undulating aspect and coolish, reliable climate.
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Woop Woop is Australian slang for the middle of nowhere in the Outback... just been to Woop Woop and back
The Galvanized Wine Group is a collective of people with passion and brands with presence; a grouping which brings together Australian wines crafted at McLaren Vintners by the talented winemaker, Ben Riggs, with owners, managers, staff and stakeholders in common.
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Woodstock's founder, Doug Collett A.M. discovered a taste for wine whilst serving as a pilot for the Royal Australian Air Force, and the Royal Air Force in North Africa, Syria, Palestine and Italy
As a reconnaissance and fighter pilot in Spitfires, Hurricanes and lighter aircraft, Doug observed the vast vineyards of Europe and developed an interest in wine. After studying Oenology at Roseworthy Agricultural College after the war, Doug soon took charge of Australia's biggest winery at Berri in South Australia's Riverland. Doug developed a special regard for the McLaren Vale region, its climate, natural beauty, its full-bodied wines and their rich middle palate flavour.
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The Wolf Blass winery is located at the epicentre of the Australian wine industry, the Barossa Valley and has produced some of Australia's finest wines since 1966
Wolf Blass Wines International was born in 1973 when Wolf started his own business, purchasing a 2.5 acre land holding with an old army shed outside Nuriootpa, at the northern end of the Barossa Valley. John Glaetzer joined the company and from 1974-1976 Wolf Blass Wines won three consecutive Jimmy Watson Trophies, the Black Label generated substantial publicity and hype. From this time onwards growth was impressive with Wolf Blass Yellow Label and Riesling becoming Australia's top selling red and white wine.
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The Wirra Wirra Cellars were built by Robert Strangways Wigley, one of the McLaren Vale's all time characters
Wigley began building at the turn of the century using Dr. A.C. Kelly's plans of a split-level design that his friend Alec Johnston had used to build the Pirramimma winery. Wirra Wirra is an aboriginal name meaning amongst the gums. Born in 1864, Bob Wigley studied Law and Architecture and managed to play cricket for South Australia. His wild pranks as a young man had already made him somewhat of an embarrassment to his family. In 1893 he was prudently sent to rusticate in McLaren Vale. He planted the vineyard in 1894 and made his first wine with Alec Johnston in 1897. By 1901 he was the owner of one of the best wineries and vineyards in the district with 100 acres under vines and 15 acres under currants.
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The Wilson Vineyard is a small family winery in the Polish Hill River sub-region of South Australia's Clare Valley
In 1973, John Wilson set out with soil map and sampling auger in search for the plot for his vines. The chosen land was some of the grazing slopes east of Sevenhill. The locals were bemused by this venture and were firm but kind with their advice about the unsuitability of the area for grapes. To that same handful of locals the little valley was known as Polish Hill River, a quaint tribute to its early pioneers. In 1980 the vineyard produced its first commercial wine and with that Shiraz-Cabernet, wine consumers were introduced to this hitherto unknown corner of Clare. By then no-one had any doubts about the ability of Polish Hill River to produce fine wine. The Wilson family has been content to expand its operation slowly and steadily and is unfussed that most who followed them now cultivate larger tracts.
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The Scholz's Australian story began in 1845 when 40 year-old Johann Gottfried joined his neighbours to flee the religious persecution of his Silesian homeland, and emigrate to a fertile valley on the other side of the world
Like the other settlers, Johann established a mixed farm of sheep, cows, crops and fruit trees as well as a few grape vines along the alluvial banks of the Para River. This northern Barossa location is distinguished by its cooling gully breezes during vintage, providing slow ripening and a clearer expression of berry and spice flavours in red wines and lifted varietal fruit characters in whites.
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Warburn Estate's outstanding success has been achieved through it's expertise in traditional winemaking and innovative techniques
Warburn Estate is located near Griffith in New South Wales, in the centre of the large Riverina grape-growing and agricultural region. Warburn Estate is one of New South Wales most significant wine producers with more than 1000 hectares under vine, a crush capacity of 40,000 tonnes, tank storage for 35 million litres of wine and an annual turnover of $40 million. Warburn Estate proudly remains a private company, maintaining its winemaking independence with the ability to quickly respond to market demands and client needs. The company (formerly Riverina Wines Pty Ltd), is owned by the Sergi family, whose winemaking traditions began in Italy many years ago. Migrants Giuseppe and his son Antonio began to grow grapes on their farm and making wines for his family and friends using old barrels and hand made machinery. He would often sell bulk wine in 200 litre drums, a practice common in Italian cantinas, and would travel extensively throughout Australia to supply his customers.
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Villa Loco
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The story of Tyrrell's Wines is inextricably linked to the story of wine in Australia
It is a story about pioneers, men and women who transformed the Hunter Valley of NSW, planted grapes there, and looked for better ways to make wine. English immigrant Edward Tyrrell planted his first vines in the Hunter Valley in 1858 establishing Tyrrell's Wines after receiving a land grant in apparently poor pastureland in the lee of the Hunter Valley's Brokenback range.
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The 'two hands' are Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz who formed the company in 1999 with the clear objective of making the best possible Shiraz
Michael came to the wine industry from a construction background having spent years attending wine tastings and collecting the wines of the world. In 1998, he established his own Australian wine export company and after three successful years of selling other people's wine, he and business partner Richard Mintz decided to start their own operation.
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Turkey Flat is more than just a vineyard and home to one of the best Barossa wines, it is a family business that forms a vital part of the region's rich cultural history and heritage
It was here, on the banks of Tanunda Creek where bush turkeys once roamed, that pioneer Silesian settler Johann Friedrich August Fiedler planted the first Shiraz vines in 1843. His vines flourished and the land Section One, in the Hundred of Moorooroo was bought in 1865 by Gottlieb Ernst Schulz, a successful butcher who established a thriving retail business among the vines. Butchering developed into dairying, but the vineyards were always kept, until Peter, a fourth generation Schulz, and his wife, Christie, made the transition from grape growing to winemaking.
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The Tscharke range has been a project seven years in the making and is the result of the vision of Damien Tscharke, proprietor, viticulturalist and winemaker
Damien is a sixth generation vigneron and Roseworthy graduate who graduated with honours in viticulture in 2000. Damien is also the proprietor and winemaker for the acclaimed wines produced under the Glaymond brand, which was established in 2001. His vision to explore and develop alternative varietals in the Barossa Valley led to the establishment of the Tscharke brand in 2004. Having worked on his family's vineyards for over 15 years he has developed an intimate knowledge of the vineyard sites and sub appellations of Marananga and Seppeltsfield in the Barossa Valley.
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Torzi Matthews
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Low yielding, old and dry grown Barossa Valley vineyards are the cornerstone of Torbreck Vintners
Torbreck founder David Powell was immersed in the study of Economics at Adelaide University, when an uncle introduced him to wine. Young Dave realized that grapes could be more intriguing than numbers. He began spending more and more of his spare time in the Barossa Valley and during the winters, he availed himself of the opportunity to venture overseas to work harvests in California and Italy. He travelled throughout the famous wine regions of Europe and even spent time in Scotland as a lumberjack. This experience was instrumental in illuminating the unique attributes of the Barossa, at a time when others felt its heritage was past the sell by date.
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There are some signs of maturity at Tin Shed Estate in the Barossa, but the label is still primarily about encouraging the enjoyment of food and wine
The Tin Shed Wines adventure began in 1997 when Peter Clarke’s passion for food and wine overflowed one night in the company of friend and viticulturist Andrew Wardlaw. Peter is head chef and part-owner of the award-winning Vintners Bar & Grill near Angaston.
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The Tim Adams winery is located 130 kilometres north of Adelaide in South Australia’s beautiful Clare Valley
Tim Adams began work in the wine industry as a cellarhand at the Stanley Wine Company in February 1975. He progressed to the position of laboratory assistant in 1976, and with encouragement and financial assistance from Mr Mick Knappstein, the then General Manager, Tim enrolled in the Bachelor of Applied Science (Wine Science) at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, NSW, and began studying by correspondence.
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The Thorn-Clarke family has a long history in the Barossa, six generations of involvement in the region's world famous wine industry
The Barossa Valley was settled in the early 1840s by small farmers and artisans seeking religious freedom from their native Silesia. The warm, fertile valley was ideal for ripening winegrapes and Australia's largest wineries made their headquarters amongst the vineyards. In the cooler ranges above the Barossa, known as Eden Valley, English settlers created large pastoral runs for sheep and cattle, but also planted vineyards to ensure a supply of table wine.
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Teusner Wines is an artisanal, youthful expression of revered old Barossa vines, brought into focus by the efforts of devoted growers and the skills of the winemaker
Teusner Wines came into being late in 2001 when Kym Teusner witnessed a conversation between his girlfriend’s uncle and his brother. They were discussing the viability of an old Grenache vineyard, planted in the Northern Barossa Valley by their grandfather. The low yields and low prices being paid by the ‘Big Boys’ meant that the vineyard was running at a loss and was facing certain destruction! Kym was loath to hear this and approached his brother in law, now business partner, to see if they could scratch together enough cash to keep these gnarled old vines in the ground.
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Temple Bruer produces award winning wines using sound organic oenological practices
David and Barbara Bruer established a small vineyard in the early 1970s at a property situated on the main road between the towns of Strathalbyn and Milang, in the grapegrowing district of Langhorne Creek. David was in charge of Roseworthy College's Oenology Department before becoming a full-time vigneron, while Barbara also taught chemistry at Roseworthy College and Flinders University for ten years. Fruit was initially sold to other appreciative winemakers. Gradually increasing quantities of wine came to be vinified on the property under the Temple Bruer label since the late 1970s. David and Barbara also established a vine nursery, using the property’s fertile soil to produce rootlings for sale to other growers.
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Situated at the very heart of South Australia’s beautiful Clare Valley, Taylors has become one of Australia’s best loved and most trusted wineries
The tale of Taylors winemaking goes back a few years – three generations in fact, and all began with Bill Taylor Senior, and his love of a certain Bordeaux wine. Originally wine merchants in Sydney, a passion for wine was all part of being a Taylor, and in particular, for the famous French Clarets such as Chateau Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux’s Medoc region. It was this long held fascination for these wines which inspired the family’s foray into winemaking, and provides the inspiration and winemaking philosophy behind all Taylors winemaking today – to produce premium wines of exceptional and comparable quality in Australia.
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Taylor Ferguson
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Tatachilla has been part of McLaren Vale since vines were first planted in 1887
The cooler regions of McLaren Vale produce highly aromatic fruit. Throughout it's rich and colourful history, Tatachilla has intuitively understood the potential of this maritime area with its rich soils and cooling sea breezes. McLaren Vale's climate is defined by the region's proximity to the sea and is distinctly Meditteranean. The vines of Tatachilla bask in sunlight, and are gently cooled by late afternoon sea breezes off the Gulf of St Vincent, and the gully winds rolling down the lower ranges.
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Situated right in the heart of the McLaren Vale, Tapestry's rich ironstone soils and cool coastal climate provide ideal conditions for producing well structured and richly flavoured wines of exceptional quality
Surrounded by undulating hills and with the waters of the Gulf of St Vincent sparkling in the distance, the view from Tapestry Wines is both relaxing and therapeutic the perfect environment for the discerning wine drinker or your next special function. Estate grown vines are the major source of fruit. The vines span two vineyards within the McLaren Vale Wine Region. Both vineyards are very low yielding and produce fruit and wines with intense flavour and concentration. Tapestry's commitment to quality has seen this relatively small boutique label receive a number of awards and go on to establish export markets everywhere.
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Even as the ink was drying on the Petaluma purchase in 2001, Brian Croser's friends at Champagne Bollinger were forming a pact with the Croser family to begin again
Then along came the Cazes family from Chateau Lynch Bages in Pauillac. On a trip to Australia in 2002, Jean-Michel and his son Jean-Charles met with Croser and joined the partnership. The driving ambition was to own and make wine from the more than 30-year old Koppamurra Vineyard just north of Coonawarra. Tapanappa was born and Koppamurra Vineyard was acquired in late 2002. The property has since been renamed Whalebone Vineyard. The partnership was founded in a strong, mutually held belief that some pieces of ground are much better than others for the production of fine wine. Of course this superiority is highly specific to varieties and wine style. The Whalebone Vineyard and Cabernet Sauvignon in particular have a unique synergy. Croser learned of the wonderful quality of Cabernet from the Whalebone Vineyard 25 years ago when in 1980, he assisted Geoff Weaver to make his very first wine from this vineyard under the Ashbourne label.
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