James Tilbrook was born in North Yorkshire, England and as a young man spent his summer holidays cycling around the wine regions of France. In 1995 he turned his attention to winemaking, organising a working holiday in Australia during which he met his future Australian wife, Annabelle, and they married in January 1998.

James soon realised that to make great wine one needs to grow great grapes, and he decided to establish his own vineyard. A search of Australian cool climate regions eventually led him to Lenswood in the Adelaide Hills and the first eight acres of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were planted in 1999.

Since then a further three acres have been planted, including one acre of Sauvignon Blanc in 2003, and in 2006 an acre of Pinot Gris was added to supply dry white and dessert wine.

"It is our intention over time," says James, "to identify which clones, rootstocks and sites perform the best and to select these for our label. To this end we are involved in a research project which is using our Pinot Noir & Chardonnay for a winemaking trial to determine which clone and rootstock combination works best in a cool climate."

Annabelle Tilbrook (B.A; B. OccThy Hons. University of Qld) was born and raised in the warmth of South East Queensland before searching out cooler climes in her twenties on a seven-year journey through Tasmania, London and the Scottish Highlands as a Paediatric Occupational Therapist.

The natural beauty of the cooler climate landscapes appealed to Annabelle and it was during her time in Tasmania she became enamoured with the delicate flavours of its wine and delightful seasonal produce. Here she married English born James in 1998, spending their early married life at Pipers Brook in Northern Tasmania and deciding to pursue James’ vigneron dreams.

After much searching they settled in the beautiful Lenswood region in the Adelaide Hills and many a weekend in the early days was spent, boots and hat on, establishing what was to become an award-winning vineyard.

Annabelle’s passions are their young son Edward, her garden, wild places, photography and assisting children with disabilities to attain their potential. Now working part time as an Occupational Therapist and juggling the joys of motherhood, on weekends Annabelle still somehow finds time to take a turn at the cellar door.

Pippa Tilbrook is possibly the naughtiest and friendliest English Springer Spaniel in the Adelaide Hills. She is well known for her thievery and rapid consumption of pumpkin scones, roast chickens and generally anything remotely edible. Foibles aside, she is a wonderful children’s dog (when there's no food around) and can sometimes be seen snoozing in the cellar door on (to Annabelle’s horror) the red sofa.

Check out the latest edition of “Wine Dogs” by Craig McGill where Pippa is featured in all her glory.