BAY OF SHOALS WINES   Kangaroo Island

Cellar door... and much more

Bay of Shoals Wines celebrated the opening of its Cellar Door & Winery on Easter Saturday 2006. It was the next step in a labour of love for proprietor John Willoughby who bought the land in 1992, planted vines in 1993 and had his first vintage in 1998.

But it is by no means the last. John has plans to eventually use the historic shearing shed, and to include a gallery and café. The new winery will allow him to do his own crushing and wine making and storage on site.

John first sailed past Bay of Shoals in the 1960s and vowed to return. While his work as an ophthalmologist keeps him in the Barossa most of the time, he is a regular visitor to the island professionally and has completed much of the work at Bay of Shoals new cellar door himself. The cellar door fit out was designed by artist Bernie Walsh, who also designed the distinctive pelican labels, and personally painted a reproduction antique map on the floor.

The distinctive pelican label of Bay of Shoals is becoming widely known and the unique setting of the winery amongst the vines will only serve to enhance the winery's reputation.

Steeped in History

Bay of Shoals is steeped in history. The vineyards and cellar door are on the historic Reeves Farm, one of the first farms in SA, with a Heritage Listed cottage built in the 1850s by Augustus Reeves, first postmaster on Kangaroo Island.

In fact, history and sailing are John Willoughby's other passions and visitors will find endless historical delights. John has assembled an impressive array of naval memorabilia and charts, including the chronometer from the SS Karatta and an octant from Captain Cook's era, ropes and sailing gear from the Endeavour replica. The walls are decorated with historic sailing memorabilia and glass showcases include other old charts from 1874.

Come for a visit and see for yourself!