Family is at the core of everything we do at Brockenchack
Brockenchack is a boutique producer situated in the heart of Eden Valley, high in South Australia’s famed Barossa region.
This family venture is a tribute to Trev and Marilyn Harch’s four grandchildren – BROnte, MaCKENzie, CHArli & JaCK.
We’ve named every wine in our collection after a cherished family member, or something of significance to the family.
Our location in the saddle between Peggy’s Hill and Mount McKenzie delivers the ideal balance of warm days and cool nights, resulting in the most desirable acid-tannin-fruit balance, and an impressive volume of aroma and flavour that we’re able to trap in the bottle.
The vineyard is steeped in viticulture history; this land has been a working vineyard since the late 1880s.
Living his dream
Some 40 years ago Sunshine Coast resident Trev Harch, then the owner of Queensland’s second largest family owned construction company, had his first taste of Barossa Shiraz. It was love at first sip.
Brockenchack is the realisation of a long-time dream for Trev. As a wholesale and retail liquor owner from the late 1990s, Trev became a self-appointment spokesman for the Barossa, showcasing and supporting Barossa wineries from his then-Queenland base, especially those of humble size. Trev was also a farmer of avocados & persimmons on the side, but had long dreamed of making his own wines which he’d be proud to put his name to. So he decided to turn his hand to growing grapes and producing wine, and hasn’t looked back.
When the opportunity knocked to secure their own slice of paradise in the Barossa’s Eden Valley in 2007, Trev and Marilyn jumped at the chance to take their passion and ran with it. The Wine Gods gifted Trev a very promising first vintage in 2008 and since then, with the purchase of neighbouring properties -securing a sustainable water supply- Trev and Marilyn have grown the Brockenchack estate to 120 hectares, with over 40 acres under vine. Varieties grown include Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir, as well as Riesling and Shiraz – what this region is best known for.
To this day Trev is a fully committed vigneron, living on the property in the vineyard’s original homestead. His unwavering vision is to turn this venture into a long standing, multi-generational, family run winery, which is revered among the best in the Barossa.
Over recent years the Brockenchack Estate has grown to include a state-of-the-art winery and bottling plant, paired with luxury B&B’s and historic cellar door.
Trev and Marilyn’s now adult grandchildren are moving into their retrospective roles in the business, leading Brockenchack into a new era to reach greater heights.
With family at the core of everything they do, Brockenchack has been built to stand the test of time.
The Brockenchack experience
A visit to Brockenchack’s cellar door is as authentic as it is memorable. We are situated off the beaten path and the drive through the gorgeous coutryside is as much a part of the Brockenchack experience as the actual visit. Well worth the journey, Brockenchack is a hidden gem tucked away amongst the rolling Eden Valley landscape.
Our cellar door guests are treated to stories dating back to the building’s 1880’s foundation, with brothels and butcher-shop dealings of days gone by. Stories that are guaranteed not to be found in the history books!
With that personal touch that only a vineyard-owner can deliver, our guests feel like a part of the family by the time they’re ready to leave.
And for those who don’t want to leave, you can turn your visit into a ‘stay experience’ with our Brockenchack bed and breakfast accommodations offering unique country vistas – whether it be views over the rolling Eden Valley ranges at our Retreat B&B, or surrounded by the Brockenchack signature vineyards at our Vineyard B&B.
Bringing the Barossa to New Zealand
When Trev’s right hand Megan (aka our Megan Jane Grenache) relocated to New Zealand with her family in the early 2010s, it marked the perfect time to begin exporting Brockenchack Wines to New Zealand.
Megan has been with Brockenchack since its inception and over the years has looked after many facets of the family business. Based in Queenstown, Megan is poised to deliver our range of Brockenchack Wines around the country, direct from our family table in the Barossa, to yours right here in New Zealand.
We are excited to be able to share many beautiful Barossa wines with you over the coming years.