For Steve, time and his attention to detail was the essence that solidified his winemaking journey; a well-documented origin story spanning across his own family history from the Margaret River. During his time as Chief Winemaker at Hardys, Steve was exposed to many and varied vineyards from across the country, applying his craft to thousands of wines. There, a particular vineyard captured his palate; an 80 acre property (30 acres under vine) on Amery Rd, established in the late 1800s. Nurturing this plot, Steve won his first Jimmy Watson with an Eileen Hardy Shiraz from that vineyard, and Steve was determined to own that property.

Koomilya means ‘Woman’ in Port Lincoln Aboriginal dialect. Quite serendipitous in many ways, as it resonated with Steve given his love affair with the idea of ‘Mother Earth’; to grow something from the ground up and turn it into something amazing. Grateful to the land and it’s gifts, recognising the privilege of calling it home, he founded Koomilya in pursuit of ensuring each and every wine has a sense of place while connecting to it’s birth-land. Just like the bell, Koomilya is mystical and curious: from the old house, right to the central soaring gum tree which seems to reach the clouds. It’s a vineyard full of history and character, a site that encapsulates not only elements from Steve’s journey, both past and present, but the unquenchable history of Australian Winemaking as a whole.

In 2016, Steve releases the first two wines from this vineyard: the 2013 Koomilya DC Block Shiraz, and 2014 Koomilya Shiraz. With the endless love and support from his family, especially his wife Fiona, Steve’s legacy has only just begun.

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