|
Antoinette Del Popolo and Anton Therkildsen both came to the Rutherglen area in 1997 for short term jobs, Antoinette as a General Practitioner in Corowa on the NSW side of the Murray River, and Anton at Campbell’s winery in Rutherglen. After meeting in early 1998, it didn’t take them long to discover a shared interest in good music, food, wine and a rural lifestyle. By Christmas 1999 they were married and had bought 60 acres in Wahgunyah, deciding that this area was for them.
Development in the property started in earnest in 2001 with the purchase of the first vines to be put in a nursery. This coincided with the birth of their first child Caleb, and the end of Anton’s full-time employment. The vineyard was established in the following year, the first 1.5 acres of Shiraz, along with more in the nursery. 2003 saw the introduction of Durif in the vineyard and daughter Ella to the world. The ongoing plantings up to 2007 have led to 4 acres of Shiraz and 2.2 acres of Durif under vine, and an annual tradition of family and friends coming for the planting weekend.
The first harvest and vintage was 2005. The 2005 and 2006 vintages were processed by Anton using the facilities at Cofield's Wines. Fruit came from our own vineyard and also from select vineyards around the Rutherglen region. From the 2007 vintage all grapes were processed on site at Valhalla Wines.
The most recent stage in the development of Valhalla Wines has been the building of the strawbale winery and cellar door.
|