The
Scarpantoni family originates from
the Abruzzi region of central Italy on the
Adriatic coast. Domenico
Scarpantoni immigrated to Australia
in 1952, travelling and working around the
country before deciding to settle in the
McLaren Vale region. Upon arriving in
McLaren Vale he commenced work for Thomas
Hardy and Sons at Tintara Winery. He soon
discovered the region was ideal for
viticulture and it was there in 1958 that
he bought his first property of just 5.6
hectares. Later he was to become vineyard
manager for Seaview Wines of McLaren Vale
and was responsible for the contoured
vineyards that Seaview were renowned for
in the 1960s. In 1968, the original school
property of 20 hectares was purchased in
the adjacent town of McLaren Flat.
In the
years following, a further 12 hectares of
adjoining land was purchased, making him
one of the largest growers in the region
at that time. In 1979, the winery was
built with the aid of his wife Paula and
two sons, Michael and Filippo, on the
McLaren Flat property, with only a
percentage of the tonnage harvest released
onto the market under the Scarpantoni
label. The last two decades has seen
major expansions to the Estate including
the purchase of a property in the heart of
McLaren Vale. This includes plantings of
premium Shiraz,, a wetlands development, a
fully renovated winery and cellar door,
and the future restoration of a historical
homestead. To this day, the winery is very
much a family business with every step of
production, from viticulture to the
packaged product done entirely on the
premises. This gives total control over
every stage of the winemaking process and
ensures that the highest standards are
maintained.
