Upon discovering the rare Grenache vines pre-dating 1935, the property was purchased by a French-Australian family seeking a property with a climate and land undulation similar to the wine regions of Southern France. Instantly falling in love with the mediterranean grapes and native bush backdrop, Marie-France and later her daughter Geraldine and son-in-law Llewellyn became proud custodians of the land previously owned by the Altmann family for over 100 years.
Here in Rowland Flat are some of the oldest Grenache vines in the world and in 1847 the birthplace of Barossa Wine by William Jacob. The vines that grow on the property are situated on the lowest part of the Valley and are proudly harvested by the long established Rockford Winery. Like Rockford who continue to basket press their wine, we are committed to preserving the growing traditions by hand pruning and hand picking every vintage to preserve the integrity of each vine
The same affinity of Southern France was also recognised by the early settlers of South Australia, who adopted models from Mediterranean France for agriculture and viticulture. Grenache was planted in the early years to produce fortified wine and at the turn of the 20th century it was used to produce the wine as we enjoy it today, medium to full-bodied richly textured wine.
The Bush Vine Grenache is a robust Mediterranean grape, most years a small parcel of grapes are held back to create Le Mas Grenache or Le Mas Rosé. Hand picked and basket pressed, the vineyard is overseen by Llewellyn, a wine lover with many years experience in the hospitality industry and crafted by a talented young wine maker – Alex Trescowthick.
