Around 110 people joined the Calabria Family Wines’ celebration of its cellar door opening in the Barossa Valley, its third vineyard acquisition in the region which now totals to 100 acres.
The Calabria family were joined by Hon. David Ridgeway, Minister for Trade, Tourism & Investment South Australia who officiated the new site opening. It includes 10 hectares of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon vines, as well as the venue’s restaurant Harvest Kitchen.
The family’s journey into the renowned Barossa Valley region began in 2010 when Bill Calabria and his sons were visiting the region and happened to notice a for sale sign on a vineyard. Although it was in disrepair it boasted vines planted in 1914, which began many years of tirelessly working the land to bring the vineyard back to health.
“Everyone thought I should pull them out and start from scratch, but you would never get these one hundred years old vines again. I couldn’t let that history go,” said Bill.
The fruit from the 100-year-old vines has created the Calabria Iconic Grand Reserve Shiraz 2015, coinciding with the site’s opening this week.
Chief winemaker, Emma Norbiato says consumers can expect, “A wine that is made to respect the site and vines it comes from. Density, purity and harmony." The wine will be available for release in June 2020.
On the anniversary and future of the family business, Elizabeth Calabria-Staltare said, “My brothers and I are very proud and extremely grateful for what our grandparents and parents went through to make the business what it is today.
“We plan to continue their legacy and pass the values we grew up with of working hard, being innovative and staying true to their vision, onto our own children. We will be celebrating with a couple of key events and activities, stay tuned for more details.”
