Name: Margaret and Michael Evans
Vineyard address: Chaffey’s Road McLaren Vale, South Australia
Year vineyards developed: 1998, 2000, 2001.
Vineyard trellis type and varieties grown: Single cordon,
Shiraz clone 1654.
What prompted you to develop a vineyard? We were encouraged by our enthusiastic and successful vigneron neighbour, John Harnett. Only 2 acres of Shiraz were planted in our first year with the intention of planting, training and learning about vineyard management.
Much to our delight we thoroughly enjoyed the experience and proceeded to plant another 2.5 acres two years later.  As Michael was working full time in town and Margaret part-time our little “hobby” soon became a full time commitment.
Having the opportunity to join the Willunga Basin recycled water scheme set us thinking. Do we buy in, borrow and increase our plantings or sell up and retire to the coast? As we can see the sea from our veranda we took the B and B option. Then we realised the need for professional help with managing our proposed expansion. Adam and Vitiwise came to our rescue and we haven’t looked back. We plan to sit under the veranda, glass in hand and enjoy the view more often this year.
Favourite food and wine: Seafood and young Rhine Riesling said Michael.  Margaret thought Italian food, Seafood and Lebanese.  Really good Shiraz and Musket are favoured drinks. Michael said yes to those choices too.
Family details: Our son Richard, daughter-in-law Roma and their son Dylan have watched us and wondered.  They have helped with preparing the ground, planting and training of vines. Even Dylan’s friends have joined in and discovered the joys of sore muscles after many hours of bending.
Jane, our daughter, has a different creative bent preferring to use paint and paper in her spare time; she too has watched and wondered.
Eden, our “thirteen and three quarters” niece from Roxby Downs, is staying with us this year whilst attending Westminster College. Eden is keen to earn pocket money so willingly works along side us on free weekends. We think she is enjoying this rural lifestyle though we doubt it’s “cool” to admit it.
As our children are in their early thirties we had long forgotten the delights of adolescence.  We give Eden ten out of ten for adjusting to life with relies old enough to be her grandparents who live 10kms from the nearest town, and who think training vines is a great way to spend a sunny afternoon. Eden keeps us young, brings us up to date with fashion and the best ways to have a cool time. We will miss her next year when she becomes a boarder at Westminster.
We also have three four legged friends, Holly, Anna and Monty, who are most important.  They tell us of the comings and goings around the place.  Holly is particularly good at frightening away evil spirits after the sun goes down. Thank goodness our neighbours are understanding dog lovers.
Occupation: About to become full time vignerons and take the advice of Eden’s father Geoffrey.  Aim to sit under the veranda at sundown, glass of wine (or dare we say beer) in hand and enjoy our beautiful view of the vales and distant hills.
Where do you see the wine industry progressing in the next five years? We believe the emphasis will be on quality rather than quantity.
Eileen Hardy Shiraz here we come!