The Angove family says it is “quietly” recognising and celebrating an important milestone – 130 years of making fine wine and spirits in South Australia.
The achievement coincides with Sophie Angove recently joining the family-owned winery, meaning for the first time there are three members of the fifth generation of the Angove Family working in the business.
Established in 1886 by Dr William Angove, the Angove wine business has evolved to be one of Australia’s most diversified and successful family owned and operated wine companies.
With grapegrowing interests across the many regions of South Australia, it is McLaren Vale and the Warboys Vineyard that are setting the future direction for the family.
The Warboys Vineyard, 33 acres of pristine grapegrowing country in the heart of McLaren Vale is planted to old vine Shiraz and Grenache. Over the past three years, the removal of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon has made way for further plantings of Grenache, Shiraz, Carignan and Fiano.
The vineyard is certified and managed with organic and biodynamic farming practices. Richard Angove said: “For us, organics is all about sustainable farming and soil health. At the end of the day grapes derive their flavour from the soil in which they grow – our aim is to have the healthiest soil we possibly can, this means grapes of the highest flavour and wines that speak of where they are grown.”
While history and a strong philosophy around the notion of family underpin the business, the fifth generation of Victoria, Richard and Sophie are looking forward to where the business is heading rather than where it has been.
Victoria said: “It is really important to recognise the enormously hard work our father John has made over many years, not to mention our grandfather, great grandfather and his father before him, as well as the fantastic team we have at the winery and around Australia. We feel though, that we are younger than we have ever been and have incredible opportunities ahead of us. It is exciting and a great feeling that our best winemaking is still in front of us.”
Check out the Angove Family Winemakers website here.