John & Jan Angas It would be safe to say that John and Jan Angas
have some of the deepest family roots in all of South Australia. Way
back in the 1830s, John’s great-great grandfather George Fife Angas was
a British businessman who became interested in South Australia as a
territory free from religious persecution (he was a dissenter). Over
several decades, he invested heavily in the region, eventually
immigrating to the area himself in 1851. Shortly afterwards, the town
of Angaston was founded and Angas encouraged (and enabled) Lutheran
immigrants from England and Germany to relocate to the Barossa. He was
instrumental in setting up free schools in the region and expanding the
commercial prospects (including mining and farming interests). The
Angas family has played an integral role in the Barossa Valley ever
since. John Angas took over the farming from his father. The idyllic
Eden Valley property is among the most scenic in the state. Vines have
been a part of the family history almost since they moved there. The
current vineyards were planted some thirty years ago and prior to 1994,
all the grapes were sold to other wineries. However, John and Jan
realized that the grapes they grew were better than the resulting wine
so they decided to take things under control for themselves. In the
succeeding vintages, they have engaged several winemakers to produce
small quantities of wine from the best grapes of their harvest.
Presently Chris Ringland makes their Riesling. The Angas’ attention to
detail doesn’t end with the strikingly attractive bottle; John was so
dissatisfied with the boxes that were available that he designed the
cardboard boxes himself! In the meantime, Jan has a full-on commercial
kitchen in the winery that she uses to make the Farm Follies preserves,
jams and other products made from fruit grown on their own property.
This is an entirely hands-on wine and food operation that avails itself
of modern techniques while never for a moment forgetting the
responsibility that comes from being a member of the first family of
the Barossa Valley.
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