Candlepine History

Why Candlepine?

The name pays tribute to the hundreds of candle pines planted decades ago as windbreaks for orchards and livestock along the fence lines of Light Pass and the Barossa Valley.

While many of these trees have been lost over the years, several still stand today, but amidst the shadows of the two 150-year-old church steeples in the Village.

The History:

For five generations, the Grope Family has toiled and revelled on this land, which was initially established by their pioneer ancestors with the guidance of Johann Gottlob Polst in 1863.

The vineyard has been planted with many varieties over the years; Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Semillon, Verdelho and Doradillo, but today sees it 90% planted with Shiraz. 

These vines range from 10-40 years of age, and thrive in the ancient red-brown loam over red clay soils in the Village of Light Pass.

Today:

The vineyard is owned and run by Robert and Valerie Grope. The vineyard is a Sustainable Wine Australian certified vineyard.