About Us

Background

Established in 1847 in McLaren Flat, the Ward family property has been involved in viticulture for over 100 years. Although a fourth generation grapegrower, Graham was involved intensively with the almond and rose industry for 25 years. Graham's passion for winemaking started 45 years ago. His first commericial venture was Clarendon Hills, which he sold in 1993.

Graham established Beltunga Estate Wines in 1996. Beltunga Estate is in the McLaren Vale region of South Australia.

Graham's winemaking technique incorporates the French style with mostly hand picked fruit, indigenous yeasts and small basket press. Small parcels of fruit are selected from special areas of terroir and/or microclimate. Most of the knowledge Graham has gained is from a lifetime of grapegrowing and nursery work and talking to many of the old grapegrowers of the district.

25 years ago Graham experimented with over 40 different grape varieties which included Chardonnay, Petit Verdot, Barbera, Nebbiolo, Fernao Pires, French Colombard, Souzao, Rkatsiteli, Sieggerebe, Emerald Riesling, Montils, Gamay Beaujolais, Ruby Red, Alicante Bouchet, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Ruby Cabernet, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Flora and Malbec.

After growing the vines and making the wine for approximately 5-10 years, each variety was assessed for suitability for the area. Unfortunately, due to lack of interest from the industry, most were re-grafted to Chardonnay.

Beltunga Estate Wines presently makes Grenache, Shiraz, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet, Merlot and Tempranillo with small batches of Nebbiolo, Barbera, Ruby Cabernet and Rkatsiteli.

Aims & Aspirations

Graham's aim are

to produce small volumes of enjoyable, good quality drinking wine using a combination of older style winemaking techniques but still reviewing new techniques and technology.
to continue to introduce varieties that he has been making wine from for many years; for example Tempranillo, Petit Verdot, Barbera and Nebbiolo
to bring different varieties of grapes and styles of wine to passionate wine drinkers.

The Winery

Beltunga Estate, as a family-owned vineyard since 1847, is situated at McLaren Flat, South Australia in the original hamlet of Beltunga. The original thatched roofed cottage, built in the 1800s by Jonathon Swift, was replaced by a stone cottage in the early 1900s. This stone cottage still stands today.

The Logo

The possum logo originated from the name Beltunga. 'Beltunga' derives from the Aboriginal word 'pell-tonga' - a place of ringtail possums and more specifically refers to the mother clinging to its young.