A mention by the great man, James Halliday, makes us very happy at Oliver’s Taranga

We were very happy to see a lovely review from James Halliday in The Weekend Australian Magazine this weekend. Though it seems that our family tree confused James a couple of times (HJ was my Grandfather, not Great Uncle, and Marjorie is HJ’s widow, not RW’s), but I suppose that is too be expected when you have 6 generations on the same property!

The 09 Shiraz and 09 DJ are just about to be released- so email me at corrina@oliverstaranga.com if you want us to pop you on the wait list. The 11 Fiano is released, but is not going to last much longer- so be quick!

Blog 2: Meet Brioni & Corrina- Generation 6

Brioni, Corrina & Miah at Corrina’s Wedding in 2008

One wonders whether William Oliver could have thought that two women would be at the helm of the business he began in 1841? Because 170 years later, that is just the case.

Cousins and close friends Corrina and Brioni now hold two of the most important roles at Oliver’s Taranga. As winemaker and Cellar Manager respectively, these two talented and down to earth ladies continue to uphold the tradition and heritage of the generations before them.

 

After generations of wine growers, Corrina is actually the first of the Oliver’s to become a winemaker – convincing her grandfather to let her have some grapes that would make the first Oliver’s Taranga branded wine in 1994. Corrina is a wine judge, mother of two and talented patchwork quilt maker.

 

Brioni studied wine marketing and drives a mean forklift, in thongs of course. Her dog Patterson is a consistent shadow around her on the Oliver’s property, particularly behind the cellar door bench that Brioni now takes care of. Brioni, the daughter of Don Oliver, is a decorated sportswoman and loves a good laugh.

 

Brioni, Corrina, Margie, Don & Patterson- the Oliver's Taranga team today

Brioni & Corrina recieving the SA Wine Awards 2011 Best Consumer Shiraz Trophy

 

Blog 3: Meet Don & Margie Oliver- Generation 5

Don at the opening of the cellar door, 2007

Born in post-war country South Australia, as a young boy Don would ride the family’s clydesdale bare back after school to help his father in the vineyard. He spent alot of time playing with his brother Morris, sister Robyn, and cousins Andrew, Rick & Stuart, as they all grew up on the Taranga farm together. Don reckons that growing up on a farm was one of the best upbringings a kid could wish for- always something happening and always plenty of space to play.

Like his father and grandfather, he is also an avid sportsman and played for the local footy, golf and cricket teams, coaching McLaren Vale to back-to-back football premierships in 1980/81. Oliver’s Taranga are sponsors of the local McLaren Vale football, netball and cricket clubs to this day.

 

Don studied the first Certificate of Agriculture at Urrbrae College and his continued viticultural work saw him receive the inaugural McLaren Vale Grape Growers Association ‘Viticulturalist of the Year’ Award. Don is a man of few words unless absolutely necessary, straight up and down like the rows of vines he keeps an eye on every day. 

 

Margie is our accounts legend, doting grandma to Asher & Logan, and the glue that keeps the whole place running smoothly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don and Margie, with the Oliver family crypt in the background

 

Don & the vineyard boys

Blog 37: A wonderful suprise arrived today!

What a wonderful industry we are a part of. Brioni & I were happily working and gossiping about what we are going to wear to the SA Wine of the Year awards tonight….and a very large parcel arrived……

Our fabulous decanter

Like two kids on Christmas morning we unwrapped the parcel to find the most fabulous gift from Riedel Australia. For those of you who dont know who Riedel are- they are the makers of the best glassware for wine that you can get. I dont use any other glassware, same goes for our cellar door and the winery- nothing else is an option. This is one of the Riedel Face to Face Black Tie Decanters- see more about them here. My photo doesnt really do it justice- but it is seriously impressive!

Also enclosed was a wonderful letter. We are extremely proud to be a family business with a long history and to be associated with the Riedel family- who have been in business for some 11 generations and 333 years of glassmaking- astonishing!! I seriously love this industry!!

Blog 39: Nice little plug for our 170th

 

Its getting closer!! The 170th mega party event is only a bit over a month away- I cant believe it! Thanks to Huon Hooke for giving us a plug in yesterdays SMH. Everyone has been teasing me about my camo-styling in the vineyard- but what can I say- it was a WET vintage last year!!