When Anne met Mac Cleggett she enjoyed wine but like many people she didn’t know much about grape varieties. She had no idea that their developing relationship would lead to a new wine business and cellar door at Langhorne Creek.’ And so a journey of passion, perseverance, and innovation began.
Mac’s family has farmed the land at Langhorne Creek since the early 1850’s, and have been growing grapes for 100 years. Mac is 5th generation, with the 6th and 7th generation currently living on the original property where Mac grew up.
Cleggett Wines is the home of two indigenous grape varieties, Bronze Cabernet Sauvignon (originally called Malian) and White Cabernet Sauvignon (called Shalistin). For Cleggett Wines, natural evolution has created an exciting point of difference in the world of wine.
Anne had previously worked in the health sector and in marketing and she saw the potential of the two new Australian grape varieties that Mac had found and carefully propagated since 1977. He had taken meticulous notes on his efforts, and had shared them with CSIRO scientists.
‘I understood things about genetics, DNA chains and the like, so I found the scientific side of the new varieties fascinating. I also had a lot of experience with obtaining trademarks and dealing with the bureaucracy so I set about doing all of that’ say Anne.
‘I’ve become quite passionate about the wine industry in general and about our new varieties in particular.’ In both her professional and personal life, Anne’s strength of character has determined her actions.
‘I tend to lay the foundations very firmly first, and then work out from there. I’m sure my children and other people might have thought I was a bit tough at times, but the end result is really worth it. With the new varieties, I helped Mac lay the foundations, so if we sell the varieties, or if we sell the business, the right foundations are laid for a sustainable business into the future. We hope to see White Cabernet Sauvignon growing in many more vineyards in our lifetime.’
For several years, Anne and Mac did experimental wine-making at the University of Adelaide at the WAITE Institute where they specialize in small-batch winemaking. Anne met their current winemaker, Peter Leske of Revenir Winery at Lenswood while working with the South Australian Wine Industry Association. She asked him if he knew anyone interested in doing contract wine making focusing on new varieties and Peter volunteered his services.
The relationship is working very well and Peter is helping take the wines to a new level.
‘We keep our minds open to what styles are popular with customers, and I keep up with lots of wine information, seminars, on-going education and trends. If I saw that there was another style or blend that might sell well, we’d probably try something different.’
In 2010 a new wine blend was born comprising 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% White Cabernet Sauvignon and named Men of Kent in honour of the Cleggett family ancestors. Already this is proving to be a popular and award winning wine.
‘Pinot Noir doesn’t usually grow that well here, but because 2011 was a fairly cool summer, we decided to hand pick and make a small batch. As far as I know, it’s the first Langhorne Creek labeled Pinot Noir, with the variety usually picked early for sparkling wine.’
Over the years they’ve exported wine to the UK, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, and Anne would like to keep pursuing Asian markets as she has worked in Asia in her previous career.
‘I’ve travelled a lot in Asia, I have many Asian friends, and I like food from the Asian regions, so I’m very interested.’
The cellar door started in the Bremer Restaurant which is now called The Winehouse. ‘In 2002 Mac and I brought together several Langhorne Creek producers and asked them if they were interested in establishing a combined cellar door. The space was originally set up as a tasting room when the restaurant was built and with the support of the restaurant owners we were able to get our business started.’
In 2008 they built their modern cellar door, guest room and home on the main road through Langhorne Creek. ‘I tend to walk late in the afternoon, so I’d walk past the old shed on the block and work out where the sun came from, how to get the best views, and where wind was coming from.’
Knowing they were restricted by Council to build on the footprint of the shed, they built up the land and made maximum use of the space.
‘We live upstairs; the beautiful living space is totally different to the working space downstairs so when I walk upstairs in the evening I can forget about work and enjoy the view.’
One of the things Anne loves about Langhorne Creek is the ability to grow her own fruit and vegetables. ‘I do companion planting to try and keep the pests down. I may not be classed as an organic gardener, but I will never put any sprays or a chemical on any of the vegetables.’
She uses the fruit from the 100-year old fig trees from the farm; she dries them and serves them on platters and lunches at the cellar door, and makes fig chutney and jam which are also for sale. While her own olive trees don’t produce enough oil to sell, she buys oil from her neighbors and bottles it for sale.
‘I see so much potential in Langhorne Creek that has yet to be realized. It is only an hour from Adelaide and it has so much to offer in terms of the fabulous wine, and the beauty of the region. I’m quite passionate about developing that to the best of our ability and with other people.’
Anne continues her work with the Winemakers’ Association to promote Langhorne Creek wines and to encourage more visitors to see for themselves what is so special about the region. So for either a day or weekend trip, make sure you join Anne and Mac in their labour of love, as they travel on a journey that is far from over.
By Connie Berg
