Who was Roy? He was our paternal grandfather who was born and raised in the South East of South Australia and worked as a stockman for his uncle the “Cattle King” Sir Sidney Kidman.
In 1920 after serving as a Light Horseman in WWI he purchased a portion of the original “Yallum Park” the grazing property established by John Riddoch the founder of the Penola Fruit Colony that we now know as the Coonawarra Wine Region.
Roy became a well respected breeder of prime beef cattle and what could complement a perfect steak more than a great Coonawarra cabernet sauvignon?
Galvanised tin was slotted into the end of a piece of 3”x2” redgum and hand fashioned into a branding tool. Wads of woollen fibres and branding ink left a rough but indelible mark on the sheep’s back ensuring this was no jumbuck for a passing tucker bag! Later replaced with a more versatile piece of sculptured 8-gauge fencing wire this piece of bush ingenuity developed into our registered family stock brand “Bar Over Box”.
Cabernet Sauvignon is the world’s premium red wine variety for its elegant structure and purity of fruit. We present a Coonawarra Cabernet with ripe forest fruit and sweet berry flavours savoury touches and excellent length.
Our very first wine label, it continues our lineage and is our staple everyday favourite. Near perfect growing conditions in 2006 produced excellent results for cabernet sauvignon in Coonawarra. Rich ripe fruit flavours and great structure typify red wines of the region this year.
Threskiomis spinicollis – Straw-necked Ibis nomadic water bird of iridescent black and white, long downcurved black bill and a featherless black head.
Flocks of Ibis from nearby Bool Lagoon wetlands descend on the paddocks surrounding our vineyards and walk about in search of food. The “Farmer’s Friend” keeps threats to our crops at bay as they appear in springtime to scour the grasslands and freshwater wetlands throughout the region. Ibis Walk – It’s what they do best.
Grus rubicunda – Australian Brolga the largest water bird in south-eastern Australia. Brolgas are tall elegant and stately birds indigenous to the vast natural wetlands that form part of the landscape near the vineyards of Coonawarra.
Late in autumn the trumpeting calls of Brolga pairs can be heard echoing through the ancient red gum country. Their graceful steps high leaps and sweeping bows performed with wings outstretched are all part of the amazing Brolga Dance. Brolga Dance – it’s what they do best.
