Windrush Wines

In 1999 David and Caroline Picton-King decided to exchange living and working in Perth for grapegrowing and winemaking in Mount Barker. They began to convert desire into reality in 2000 when they purchased the property and planted 1ha of shiraz. In '01 and '03 they planted 2.4ha of chardonnay, and finally 1.3ha of cabernet sauvignon in '04, with ‘soft' organic management. They had been commuting from Perth every couple of weeks to plant and tend the vines up to '04 when they moved permanently to Mount Barker. The majority of the grapes are sold to other wineries in the district, with most wine sales through the cellar door and café. -JAMES HALLIDAY