Our Story

Our vineyard is steeped in history.

Kulara Estate History

Kulara Estate vineyard is located in the Ebenezer district in the northern most reaches of the Barossa Valley, Australia’s oldest and renowned wine-producing region in South Australia.

Our vineyard is steeped in history. The land was initially acquired in 1856 during early colonialism by Mr. John Ridley, an English gentleman, who resided in the city of Adelaide. Mr. Ridley leased the land to a German settler Mr. Gunter Kuhn who cleared and prepared the land for cultivation. Mr. Khun painstakingly nurtured the vineyard for 5 years until 1861.

At this time the Barossa Valley was being settled by German families who were planting vineyards and establishing settlements. To this day, many of the stone cottages and Lutheran churches throughout the Barossa Valley are testament to the 19th century wave of German settlers.

Mr. Ridely moved back to England in 1863 and sold the property to a Mr. Steiner who continued to cultivate grapes.

The vineyard was eventually acquired by the Riebke family – a well known and respected wine producing family who held the vineyard and maintained the vines until it was purchased by the Stavrakoulis family.

The vineyard is now known as Kulara Estate with the Stavrakoulis family paying homage to the traditional owners of the land and adopting the Aboriginal word for stone axe, ‘Kulara’ in its name.

At this time the Barossa Valley was being settled by German families who were planting vineyards and establishing settlements. To this day, many of the stone cottages and Lutheran churches throughout the Barossa Valley are testament to the 19th century wave of German settlers.

Mr. Ridely moved back to England in 1863 and sold the property to a Mr. Steiner who continued to cultivate grapes.

The vineyard was eventually acquired by the Riebke family – a well known and respected wine producing family who held the vineyard and maintained the vines until it was purchased by the Stavrakoulis family.

The vineyard is now known as Kulara Estate with the Stavrakoulis family paying homage to the traditional owners of the land and adopting the Aboriginal word for stone axe, ‘Kulara’ in its name.

Our premium range of Australian wines include:

Rocky Bay Wines
Lightning Creek Wines
Rare Penny Wines
Matilda’s Ghost Wines
The Orator

Our premium range of Australian wines include:

  • Rare Penny Wines
  • The Orator

About the Stavrakoulis Family

The Stavrakoulis family emigrated from Southern Europe in the mid-1960’s and settled in Melbourne, Victoria. Steve Stavrakoulis aspired to provide his family with a better life and quickly set about establishing his own business.

Steve had a passion for wine making stemming from his days in Limnos, Greece, where he grew grapes on the farm including moscato grapes used to make Metaxa Brandy and vine stems to make Ouzo.

His interest in wine eventually led him to open a bottle shop, fuelling his interest in Australian wines, which were bolder and more robust than the softer European varieties he was accustomed to.

Steve passed this passion to his eldest son Alex who soon joined his father in the bottle shop but with greater aspirations – that of making his own wine and spirits.

Alex’s dream was fulfilled with Edgemill Group being established in 1998 with the company’s vision to be a self sufficient provider of affordable, premium quality beverages to the world, complemented by its innovative approach and focus on research and development.

Steve had a passion for wine making stemming from his days in Limnos, Greece, where he grew grapes on the farm including moscato grapes used to make Metaxa Brandy and vine stems to make Ouzo.

His interest in wine eventually led him to open a bottle shop, fuelling his interest in Australian wines, which were bolder and more robust than the softer European varieties he was accustomed to.

Steve passed this passion to his eldest son Alex who soon joined his father in the bottle shop but with greater aspirations – that of making his own wine and spirits.

Alex’s dream was fulfilled with Edgemill Group being established in 1998 with the company’s vision to be a self sufficient provider of affordable, premium quality beverages to the world, complemented by its innovative approach and focus on research and development.

Our Future

Future aspirations for Kulara Estate include a winery tour, a cellar door and a restaurant where family and friends can gather among the Jacaranda trees to share a platter of locally produced gourmet cheeses and small goods accompanied with a glass of wine from our amazing Kulara Estate portfolio.

Our Location

The vineyard located at Lot 48, Belvedere Road, Barossa Valley has plantings of the following varieties:

  • Bush Vine Grenache – Planted in 1930’s
  • Carignan (makes Rosé) – Planted 2012
  • Shiraz – Various stages of plantations in 1965, 1995 and 2011
  • Cabernet Sauvignon – Planted 1995

There’s only one place you need to go for Australia’s finest wines

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