Destination: 'Majella, Coonawarra’



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 originally kept Merino sheep for wool and prime lamb production, however son Brian (“Prof”) was interested in planting a vineyard and in 1968 went ahead and planted 6 acres of Shiraz which eventually grew to some 150 acres, comprising Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Riesling. In 1995 the cellar door was opened, followed by a barrel store and offices in 1996 with, according to The Prof, enough high tech winemaking equipment to keep them poor for years to come! Bruce Gregory joined as winemaker in January 1999. So what happened to the sheep? The Lynns still run about 2000 Merino wethers on their farm south-west of Penola together with 1200 cross-bred ewes for prime lamb production.