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Tatiarra
does not have a grand history. There are no generations of grape growers
or winemakers on the board or amongst its shareholders. It is not in
the possession of a heritage building nor is it the culmination of a
long and colourful past. On the contrary, Tatiarra is a modern company
firmly rooted in the terroir of the vineyard and sustained by a dream
that is now in the process of becoming a reality. That original dream
belonged to Bill Hepburn. [pictured below]
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The
selection of a vineyard site is of paramount importance and it can take
years to find the right piece of terroir. Bill discovered his dream
on the west slopes of Mt.Camel in the Heathcote district, planting a
10 acre vineyard of Shiraz vines on 143 acres of rare, north facing
Cambrian Earth. It was a modest start, with borrowed equipment, friendly
neighbours and supportive family. Bill spent those early years camped
in a caravan, which remains on site, not far from a large gum tree under
which he built a thunderbox (the Australian country version
of an outdoor toilet).
The cold nights finally got to Bill and he decided it was time to pass
the dream on. In 2001, Domaines Tatiarra purchased the property and
continues to develop the original dream. Bill Hepburn oversaw the growing
of the grapes used in the first vintage of Tatiarra Cambrian Shiraz
and remains involved with the development of the company as a very interested
outsider. The Caravan of Dreams Shiraz Pressings is made in Bill
Hepburn's honour.
Today Tatiarra vineyard continues to attract visionaries. Tatiarra winemaker,
Ben Riggs has his own dream about Heathcote and Shiraz. Ben is
based in McLaren Vale, South Australia where his obsession for producing
extraordinary Shiraz is well known. With Tatiarra, he was challenged
to produce a wine that would rank amongst the giants of the Shiraz world
Tatiarra Trademark Shiraz a unique blend of McLaren
Vale and Heathcote fruit.

As Bill Hepburns dream continues to inspire wine enthusiasts,
it is comforting to know that the integrity of his original vision is
being well preserved. Contracts have been let to expand the original
Tatiarra vineyard with a further 12.75 acres in 2003. The new planting
will be complete by November of that year. The same clone of Shiraz
has been selected for the new block, as its performance to date has
been outstanding, but one proviso stands the clone does not respond
well to heavy cropping. Therefore, yields will be maintained below the
average of 2.65 tonnes per acre.
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Entire contents © Copyright 2004 Domaines Tatiarra / Tatiarra Vineyard,
Gibb Road, Toolleen, (Heathcote), Victoria, 3559. ABN 98 090 457 819
Liquor License No. 36077241
WARNING: Under the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 it is an offence:
To supply alcohol to a person under the age of 18 years (Penalty $2,000)
For a person under the age of 18 years to purchase or receive liquor (Penalty
$500)
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