ALKINA

The farm at Alkina was established in 2015 when Argentinian vintner, Alejandro Bulgheroni purchased a property near Greenock in the Barossa Valley with a vineyard planted in the 1950s and old stone buildings built in the 1850s (see above!). Together with local winegrower, Amelia Nolan, they both loved the rolling hills and the promise of the geology that lay beneath, as well as the area of old Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro and Semillon vines that we now call the Old Quarter.

The old stone buildings recalled the area’s period of German settler history and the establishment of a farm on this country by the Schulz family in the 1840s. Working with local tradesmen and artisans, we have lovingly brought these buildings back to life, using stone dug up on the property to ensure the authenticity of the restoration.

We have 43 hectares of organically farmed vines with younger plantings accompanying the old, still focusing on the heritage varieties that have found their natural home in the region. We grow and make all Alkina wines on the farm, hand picking the grapes and moving them to our small winery, which is also housed in an original 1850s building. In addition the homestead (1900), the cottage and tasting room (both 1850) make up our ‘village’ situated right in the heart of the vineyard.

Timeline

Below is a recent set of events that we know about in the area. Pre-dating these are the Ngadjuri Dreaming and Creation stories that have been passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years.

1840s – The Schulz family arrives

1850s – family dwelling built (now the cottage), as well as the barn (winery) and woolshed (tasting room)

Mid 1950s – 5ha of old vines planted, the area we now call The Old Quarter

1998 – plantings of Shiraz on the other side of Greenock Creek

2015 – A property called Greenock Farm purchased by Alejandro Bulgheroni 

2016 – Significant new plantings of vines

2017 – Owens Vineyard (20ha of contiguous vineyard behind original farm) purchased

2017 – Alberto Antonini introduces us to his friend, Pedro Parra, who visits for the first time. The Polygon Project starts to take shape.

2017 – We pick and crush our first grapes in our small winery

2018 – Original part of vineyard receives organic and biodynamic certification through NASAA

2018 – First Alkina red wines produced: Polygons 3 & 5 Grenache and Field Red

2019 – First Alkina white wine is produced: Field White, as well as the first vintage of Old Quarter

2020 – Building work is completed and the Tasting Room opens to the public on 1 November

2021 – First wines exported to USA and Europe

2022 – Back blocks (Owen's East and Owen's West) recieves organic and biodynamic certification through NASAA