“I was born in 1949 in Fabrizia in Italy and grew up in the hills of Calabria, deep in the Mediterranean.

I can't trace my ancestory back very far, but in Fabrizia, the people live off the land, grow grapes and make wine was part of their day to day life. There were no soft drinks or fruit juices on the table when I was growing up, but at meal times I would be given half a glass of home made wine…

As a boy in Italy, I remember the vines over the terraced land and in particular, the ancient pergola my Great Aunt had in the town proper. It was always a mystifying experience to spend some time there in summer time…

I remember also, the grape harvesting and wine making processes and the family press, which was basically a basket press situated at the base of an ancient cherry tree. A rather heavy timber pole was wedged under the base of the tree and it was used as leverage to press the must in the basket. A simple system, but it did the job…

Wine was stored in oak barrels in the basement of our house. I remember them well. They were stacked just below the staircase to the cellar. The darn thing didn't have any side railing and I remember on one occasion falling off the staircase and landing fairly and squarely on top of the barrels…

My uncle was a carpenter/cabinet maker, as part of his business he did some cooperage. As a lad until the age of 8 years, I'd spend time in his workshop helping him. My favourite pastime was using the ½ moon plane to shave the inside of the barrels before he gave them a light toast. I often got a toasting from him myself when I shaved them too deep!!

Wine was part of our culture. We have a family heirloom of a rather unique flask carved out of wood by my Great Grandfather for his betrothed, some hundred years or so ago. It carried approximately 500 mls and was still in use until we migrated to Australia in 1957…