The Jarvis grape growing tradition begins in the 1950’s when Matt’s grandfather, Ray Jarvis had to leave the family dairy due to ill health.

 

Injuries sustained during the Second World War had left him unable to work in the damp dairy environment and the change to a sun-drenched vineyard in the Swan Valley provided the perfect environment for Ray, his wife Katherine and son Ian.

 

Unfortunately Ray’s ill health continued and the vineyard was unable to be retained in the family long enough for Ian to pass it on to his own son Matt. It would seem like destiny then that some 50 years on Matt is now raising his children on a vineyard.

 

 

Jackie Jarvis (nee Mullins) emigrated from Europe as a young child with her English Mother and Irish Father. Whilst Ireland is not generally known for its wine, many great wine producers hail from Ireland. Known as the “Wine Geese”, these Irish emigrants began leaving Ireland in the 1800’s, initially for France, but then spread their wings all over the world. Jackie Jarvis now features in an Irish book on the new generation of Wine Geese.