Surprising

History

Mount Benson is a youthful region which has enjoyed an eventful history. 
Settled in the 1840s, the land at Mount Benson formed part of a cattle and sheep route between Adelaide and Portland and was used for many years to grow wool, wheat and wattle bark.  Today the fairly unobtrusive peak of Mount Benson overlooks a landscape dominated by forestry, grazing and viticulture.
The first viticultural trials occurred in the region in 1978, with Colin Kidd of Lindemans planting riesling, traminer, chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon at Alfalfa, an almond orchard located approximately five kilometres from the coastal township of Cape Jaffa. 
The first commercial plantings consisted of a 2- hectare block of cabernet sauvignon in 1989 by retired crayfisherman Bill Wehl and his wife Margaret, who recognised similarities between Mount Benson’s soil structure and that of the Coonawarra.  Since then, a further nineteen vineyards have been established, spanning an area of approximately 600 hectares in total.