I planted half an acre of Cabernet Sauvignon and Hermitage on ‘Tynedale’, the farm of my brother-in-law and sister around 1964. It is situated on the Collie road about 3 miles east of Roelands. The vines were tended by the Rossi family, Della Vanzo and Claude, supervised by my brother-in-law, Frank Wilson. I made 30 gallons of wine from these grapes in 1967; in my ignorance and due to silver-eyes, at a Baum reading of 10. The Rossis’ have continued to make wine from this patch. Tony died last year and it is problematical whether the next generation will have the impulse to continue. I hope they do.
It was in 1966 that my brother-in-law drew my attention to John Gladstone’s article in the “Journal of the Australian Institute of Agriculture” of December 1965, in which he canvassed observations that the soil and climate of the west coastal area south of Busselton could lend itself to the production of high quality table wines.
It seemed that these areas would be more suitable than Tynedale, and because of Gladstones’ ideas and no doubt, Duces’ Hermitage, I decided to investigate the area south of Busselton. Jack Mann and Bill Jamieson were personal friends and both the sort who are unfailingly generous with time, help and encouragement. I think these things are the main reasons why I decided to pursue the matter further. I sometimes wonder whether it was worthwhile, but at that time it seemed almost a disgrace that nobody was actually doing anything to prove a golden opportunity that would be the envy of most other countries.
Since Margaret River was planted Victorians, South Australians and Tasmanians have realised the potential of new cool areas. It was due to Californian wine scientists that the importance of a cool ripening period was appreciated.
Part Four:
Vasse Felix
