Showcasing South Australia

The Lynn family have been residents of the Penola - Coonawarra district for over four generations, starting out as store-Keepers and then graduating into grazing. The property on which Majella now stands was originally owned by Frank Lynn, and bought by his nephew, George, in 1960. George and Pat Lynn kept Merino’s for wool production on their farm about ten miles away, and had always wanted some good Coonawarra country for their up-and-coming prime lamb enterprise. Viticulture, however, was not on their agenda until 1968.

While it was a rocky start, by late 1995 they were doing very well and realised that Majella needed a Cellar Door Sales and office facility, one that was functional and didn't cost an arm and a leg. A barrel shed together with the aforementioned facilities was designed and construction was finished in late 1996.

Production levels soon reached the stage where their own winemaking facilities were warranted, and enough high tech winemaking equipment was installed to keep them poor for years to come! Bruce Gregory joined us as winemaker in January 1999 and produced a crackerjack vintage first up.