Grape Growers Untold

In this episode of Grape Growers Untold , we sit down with father-son duo Paul and Jarrad Steele .  Paul’s story begins in Penwortham, where days were spent picking grapes by hand and nights were backed by the relentless work ethic of a father running two jobs to keep the vineyard alive. By 16, Paul was already deep into vineyard life at the Mortlock Experimental Station and went on to help introd...

This episode takes us to Leasingham in South Australia’s Clare Valley to meet the Eaton family - grape growers with a legacy spanning over 100 years. Hear from father and daughter, Robert and Melissa Eaton, who share their unique perspectives on life tied to the same patch of soil. From horse-drawn ploughs to modern tractors, early vine-pruning lessons in the schoolyard to facing brutal frosts, th...

Meet Kym and Ben Castine - generational farmers whose story offers an authentic look at how farming has evolved over the decades. In 1996, Kym made a bold move: planting the family’s first vineyard amid a slump in wool prices and a surge in grape growing. Balancing livestock, crops, grapes, and family life alongside his wife Rose, Kym laid the foundation for a new chapter. Fast forward nearly 30 y...

In today’s episode of Grape Growers Untold , we bring you a powerful generational story of grit, passion, and perseverance. We follow the life of Mort Mitchell, whose journey takes us from the dairy farms of South Australia’s southeast to the vineyards of the Clare Valley. From wrangling cattle and horses in the outback to planting his own vines at just 19, Mort’s dogged determination saw him thro...

Welcome back to Grape Growers Untold , the oral history podcast from the Clare Valley Wine and Grape Association. Hosted by former ABC journalist and Clare Valley local, Annabelle Homer, this season brings a fresh perspective to the vineyard. In Season 2, we pair the wisdom of seasoned grape-growing veterans with the passion of the next generation - those shaping the future of Clare Valley’s wine...

In this episode, growers Neil Grace and Malcolm Parish, both long-time Leasingham growers from the Clare Valley, share their intertwined lives. Malcolm has a rich grape-growing heritage, with his grandfather being one of the first to plant Riesling in the region. He’s led a diverse life as a surveyor, grape grower, vineyard manager and teacher. Neil, transitioned from maintenance manager at Quellt...

In this episode, neighbours from various generations gather for a conversation. Roger Kimber, a fifth-generation grape grower from Stanley Flat, joined farming with his father in 1985 and took over fully after his father's passing in 2007. The Kimber family has a long history in Clare Valley's agricultural industry since the mid-1800s, with Charles Kimber, Roger's great-great-grandfath...

Meet Lita Brady, one of the custodians of Wendouree, home to one of Clare Valley's oldest vineyards. "Wendouree" is believed to originate from an Aboriginal term meaning "place of water." Alfred Percy Birks, arriving in 1892, partnered with his brother to farm, planting currants and wine grapes with some original vines from 1892 are still producing. The winery, established...

The episode introduces Watervale grower Les Bryksy and former Leasingham Wines vineyard manager Ian Smith. Les took over his father's Watervale vineyard in the '60s, after seven years in the Air Force. Ian, a share grower for Stanley Wine Company, later worked at Leasingham for 24 years. Les pioneered irrigation in the valley, and Ian managed 1,000 acres of vineyard, staff and growers. The...

In this episode, Martin Smith, a seasoned farmer and grape grower, is joined by Leo Faulkner, an experienced grafter with 70 years of viticultural knowledge. As distant cousins, they share a history in fruit gardens and ventured into wine grape businesses in the late 60s. The conversation spans 65 years of grape growing, recalling moments like picking grapes on hands and knees and facing challenge...

In this episode, we dive into the vibrant world of Bunny and Yvonne Peglidis, celebrated figures in the Clare Valley grape growing community. Bunny's journey began at 12 in his father's Greek vineyard, later migrating to Australia at 21. From working at Quelltaler to founding his own vineyard, their story is a captivating blend of tradition and passion. Bunny's path intertwines with Yv...

Welcome to 'Grape Growers Untold,' an oral history initiative of the Clare Valley Wine and Grape Association. Join us as we talk to the stalwarts of the Clare Valley Grape growing community, taking a journey behind the vines to the stories of days gone by growing grapes in the beautiful Clare Valley. Former ABC Broadcast Journalist and Clare Valley local Annabelle Homer explores the insights of el...