When James and Sophie Erskine paused for a moment to look out over their Adelaide Hills farm last weekend, they were moved. This magical patch of Peramangk Country is home to an organic orchard, vineyard, winery and, as of December 19, a new cellar door.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a big week,\u201d James says. \u201cWe bought the cherry farm in 2018 with some big visions, including the establishment of vineyards and new orchards. We finished planting the last of the vineyards this week.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to grape-growing, winemaking, and pick-your-own cherry experiences, the couple have run a hair salon, yoga studio and music festivals on the property. Sophie recently downed her hairdressing tools to focus solely on the cellar door and creating a space where the passionate Jauma community can converge.<\/p>\n
\u201cOpening weekend was such a success,\u201d she says. \u201cWe\u2019ve had a constant flow of incredible humans coming in \u2013 people who\u2019ve followed us for a long time, people who have been to our festivals and events, and others who rocked up just because they saw it was open on the day.\u201d<\/p>\n
The cellar door is charming and wholesome, much like its owners. What was once an old worker\u2019s cottage is now a rustic haunt with space for 30 visitors. The couple renovated it themselves with help from a carpenter, recycling many items from the farm, including a large barn door thought to date back to the days when the property was owned by geologist and Antarctic explorer Douglas Mawson.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe goal was to create something that feels like walking into a home,\u201d Sophie says. \u201cIt\u2019s very warm \u2013 it\u2019s not meant to feel like it\u2019s been pulled out of the interior design magazine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seated tastings are $20 per person and include six wines, which could be grenache grown in McClaren Flat, chenin blanc from Blewitt Springs or an unusual blend like arneis, grenache and chenin. Everything is farmed organically and vinified with zero added sulphur (still a rarity in Australia) and no filtration. The wines are young, vibrant, \u201cliving\u201d and always come with a side of good conversation. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe connection and the community that can build around wine is what really brings us a sense of true purpose,\u201d Sophie says. \u201cJauma is distributed to bars, restaurants and bottle shops all around Australia and internationally for 16 years now, which is beautiful, but having a regular place where people can come and try the wine in the place it\u2019s made, and sit with us, was the most important factor.\u201d<\/p>\n
The cellar door is open every Saturday throughout the year, with two special extended weekends over the festive season. Food will be added early next year, leaning on the farm\u2019s veggie garden for house-made bread, scones, pickles, purees, dips, cheeses and sausages. The couple also plans to host collaborative chef dinners for 20 to 30 Jauma members at a time. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a small family business,\u201d Sophie says. \u201cWe make the wine and we\u2019re the ones pouring the wine. We\u2019re not trying to make a huge commercialised business out of this. This is just an extension of what we already live and breathe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jauma Hours
677 Mawson Road, Lenswood<\/a>
0408075138<\/p>\n
Sat 12pm\u20135pm<\/p>\n