“Location, location, location.” That’s the key message spruiked by any good real estate agent. So it’s little wonder Michael Kies, who was in the business of selling property for 25 years, saw the potential in the old stone building located on property he inherited at Barossa Valley Way at Lyndoch.
Lindner brothers, Paul and James, were teenagers in an era when Barossa grapegrowers were being paid to bulldoze vineyards due to oversupply. Sons of successful caterers and business owners, Richard and Shirley, it was understandable that the sixth generation Barossans couldn’t see themselves in the wine industry, let alone owning and running Tanunda’s internationally renowned Langmeil Winery.
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.
Brothers, John and James Lienert, sit side by side in the shed where their late father, John Snr. once kept his farming equipment protected from the elements. The siblings laugh as they share fond memories of growing up in the house next door, their cricketing triumphs and footy failures, and the different spellings of Sheaoak Log, or should it be Sheaok Log? “It definitely doesn’t have a hyphen!” says John of the small town that holds such strong family ties.
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.
For the footy-loving Schiller family, the adrenalin rush of finishing a hectic vintage isn’t too different from playing a Grand Final. Robert and his sons, Tom and Ben have each donned the boots for Tanunda over the years and whilst they are fiercely proud of their long association with the Magpies; off-field, it’s the land their ancestors developed through the generations that deeply connects this trio.
Elderton Wines will celebrate its 40th vintage in 2021, and whilst heartbreak and adversity has stood in the path of the Ashmead family – the family behind the highly successful label – strength of character and unyielding determination to produce premium wine has prevailed.
Sixth generation grapegrower, Christine Canute says she’ll never forget the day she tasted the ’97 Grenache and ’96 Shiraz made from the fruit growing just outside their Vine Vale home.
In the words of Eurythmics’ song, “Sisters are doin’ it for themselves”, Janelle and Kristen Zerk are indeed “standin’ on their own two feet” as pioneers of a wine brand that is capturing high acclaim from Australia’s most renowned critics.
Generations in Wine WORDS &
Generations in Wine WORDS &
Generations in Wine WORDS &
A successful family blend
