Winery Story

Bannockburn, "The Heart of the Desert", was the scene of its own gold rush during the mid to late 1800s, leaving behind the sluicings and ta... (more...)ilings that form the stark landscape of today. The new gold is not the yellow metal of yesteryear, nor the sheep that followed, but is now clearly the wines from a myriad of vineyards that clothe the lower north-facing slopes and terraces of this hot dry land. The Olssen wines encapsulate the character of the new gold. Olssens is nestled amongst the dry thyme covered hills of Bannockburn, where the essence of nature is captured by vines deeply rooted in the rocky, gold-bearing schist soils. We produce a range of 12 different wines, many of which are sold exclusively to cellar door visitors and mail order customers. In addition to the 10 hectares of vines, thousands of trees, shrubs and bulbs have been planted around sweeping glades of grass and a number of mountain reflecting ponds where visitors are welcome to spread a rug, picnic, relax and enjoy the tranquillity.