Generations in Wine

Charles Melton’s direction in life was decided with the toss of a coin. Backpacking around Australia, he and his travelling buddy Ken Roach worked a vintage, picking grapes for Krondorf Winery, and when the company offered them two full time positions, one in the winery and one in the vineyard, fate sent Charles into winemaking.

Embracing the past to secure their future.

Vincent Cirillo’s worn and weathered hands are as gnarly as the 175-year-old Grenache, Shiraz and Semillon vines that grow alongside his family’s Nuriootpa homestead, on Nuraip Road. Today, those hard-working hands hold a glass of Cirillo Estate Wines’ Vincent Grenache, as he chats to his winemaker son, Marco, who named the wine in his honour.

They say few things bring protagonists a deeper sense of fulfilment than guiding friends and loved ones to grow into their best selves.

Since 1853, the Kalleske family has continually farmed land on the outskirts of Greenock. Seven generations have contributed to the property, all following in the footsteps of Eduard and Rosina Kalleske who planted the first vines, some of which still grow today.

Winding its way westward from Tanunda, Stonewell Road provides a glimpse of an ancient soil profile as the hill rises gently and the road cuts through to reveal ochre coloured horizons.

Ron Liebich walks into Liebichwein’s Cellar Door, wearing shorts, tee-shirt and trademark pair of snips clipped to his leather belt. He’s somewhat chirpy today because this Rowland Flat winemaker/grapegrower has just completed his 54th vintage and he reckons it’s a good one too.

When it comes to family endeavours, the name says it all for Trevor and Marilyn Harch, owners of Brockenchack Wines. A combination of letters from their four grandchildren’s names, BROnte, MaCKENzie, CHArli and JaCK, adorn their labels, with the brand not only celebrating the couple’s inspiration, but also providing a glimpse into the future of their vision turned reality.

There’s a sparkle of pride in the eyes of Peter Scholz when he talks of his family’s long history, but it shines even brighter when he talks of its future.

“As long as it isn’t pink!” was the only rule Leon Koch insisted on when his family was deciding on a colour for their new tractor.