Botella Boutique Wine Cellar | Eight at the Gate

Eight at the Gate

Australia - Wrattonbully

Two sisters with eight children between them, develop an estate vineyard and become award-winning wine producers. It sounds like the start of a modern fairy-tale but this is the true story of Eight at the Gate Wines. And this story is like many others involving farming families; a cycle of hard work, heartbreak, resolve, and rewards.

The winery is located in southern Wrattonbully, in South Australia, a premium appellation in Australia’s lauded Limestone Coast, midway on the inland route between Melbourne and Adelaide, on elevated tablelands, somewhat off the beaten track where we can focus on the business of growing premium wine grapes without distraction.

Sisters Jane Richards and Claire Davies grew up in the country, very close to their vineyards, with their parents and three other siblings and have always had a strong connection to the land. Through hard work, persistence and a dedicated determination, the sisters seized the opportunity to put down roots for a family legacy. Claire, a Roseworthy viticulture graduate, had the vineyard skills whilst Jane had the business skills. In a joint venture they purchased Lanacoona Estate, an established vineyard with a highly-esteemed reputation among Australia’s leading wine producers.

Our winemaker is the multi award winning Peter Douglas. Peter made a name for himself whilst working as a senior winemaker with Wynns Coonawarra Estate, a Penfolds label, for many decades.

As Peter Gago, Penfolds Grange winemaker says, “The spoils of terra rossa soils, latitude and limestone are a magical mix”.