“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.
As a father of three daughters, he is clearly outnumbered. Yet, Leon considers himself lucky that his girls have all stepped up to keep the family’s Rowland Flat property running (and grateful they chose purple!)
He and wife, Carlene represent the sixth generation of grapegrowers in the family, after Leon’s three times great-grandfather, Friedrich migrated from Germany and settled on the land. His son, Gottlieb, continued what would eventually become known as “Koch Pilgrim Vineyards”.
“The oldest title that I can find dates back to 1842,” says Leon.
Whilst only two acres of that original mourvedré vineyard still exists today, the property continues to evolve with every generation leaving its legacy.
A rusty sign with Leon’s father, Ross’ name can still be seen by observant drivers travelling through Rowland Flat.
Childhood memories of working with his dad still remain, with Leon picking grapes for “three-pence” a bucket and “learning the ropes”.
Over the generations, Koch Pilgrim Vineyards has expanded, with the latest count being 150 hectares which includes 50 hectares under vines – all red varietals.
And once again, the family is working through a succession plan, but this time it’s a sister act.
“They wanted to keep the property going so I said if you want to keep it you have to learn how to work it – they’ve accepted the challenge!” Leon said.
Carlene enjoys seeing the competency of her vigneron daughters working in the vineyard and has to laugh as she recalls their childhood antics.
“They were out there with dirty faces and you knew they had a good, fun day. The dirtier they were, the more fun they had!” she laughs.
Eldest daughter, Kate Koch and middle sister, Erin (Turner) are “vintage babies”, whilst Tyla (Schulz) was “timed much better”.
As youngsters, Kate doesn’t think she saw helping in the vineyard as a chore; Erin admits she “didn’t always like it” and Tyla can’t remember doing much at all, apart from running around getting muddy and “doing concerts” on the ladder landing of the truck. Yet today, all have their distinctive roles, are skilled in what they do and love nothing more than working together as a team.
Leon is stoked.
“I guess the time that always sticks out to me is when Kate is operating the harvester, the girls are doing the catching and I might be delivering a load or running around; to think that this team of three sisters are doing it all!” Leon says.
“I don’t know if you’d get that very often – it’s great.
“Although, through vintage when there are two way radios going, I just shake my head!”
Kate laughs, “Yeah, it becomes the comedy channel.
“Sometimes we get some work done, sometimes we don’t,” she jokes.
“There are lots of laughs, lots of giggles, but we have been known to have a few little sisterly tiffs!”