The "Brangayne" and "Ynys Witrin" vineyards lie on the north eastern slopes of the extinct volcano Mount Canobolas, near Orange in New South Wales, one of the highest and coldest grape districts in Australia. Often under snow in winter and mild in summer, the cold climate offers ideal conditions for the production of premium grapes, combining generous fruit flavour, acid and length in wines of intensity and elegance. The climate is similar to the Champagne region in France, with grapes hanging on the vines often well into May, producing a subtle and highly complex character in the wines. The long ripening period and the deep, rich volcanic soil, position Brangayne among the few vineyards in Australia capable of producing distinctive cold climate wines of high calibre.
 
Brangayne came into the Hoskins Family in the 1930s, and for sixty years, Edgar and Winsome Hoskins and later Don and Pamela Hoskins grew pome and stone fruits on the property. Then, in 1994, the fruit trees were replaced by wine grapes.
 
The planting of the vines was the vision of Don and Pamela. Their children, Nicola and David are now part of the management of the vineyard, and Nicola's daughters Emma and Sophie are the first of the next generation. The 26ha enterprise comprises the two vineyards "Brangayne" and "Ynys Witrin".
 
"Brangayne" was named by Winsome Hoskins, after the character who attends the tragic Isolde in Wagner's opera Tristan and Isolde, and who prepares a love potion for her.
 
"Ynys Witrin" - literally "isle of the blessed and of eternal youth"- was named after the Isle of Avalon in the Arthurian Legend. Both stories are linked to the Troubadours in Medieval times.
 
In Wagner's opera, Isolde (soprano) is an Irish Princess, who is voyaging from her home to Cornwall, there to become the bride of King Mark of Cornwall. Isolde is attended by her handmaiden Brangäne (mezzo soprano). Brangäne is a wise woman, and holds magic in her hands. King Mark has sent the handsome knight, Sir Tristan (tenor) to escort Isolde to her wedding, which will take place at his castle in Cornwall. But though Isolde is betrothed to King Mark she has fallen deeply in love with Sir Tristan, and he with her. Their grand passion is doomed from the beginning. Isolde and Tristan resolve that the drink of death is the only remedy for their hopeless love, and Isolde asks Brangäne to prepare it for them, but instead Brangäne prepares a love-philter which fills each with irresistible longing for each other.
 
Our label was designed by Ian Kidd & Karin Seja of IKD Design Solutions www.ikdesign.com.au in Adelaide. He commissioned artist Anelia Pavlova to create the etching, which depicts Isolde and Brangäne who is preparing the Drink of Love. Tristan is just visible in the background, as he stares wanly at the moon. This scene is taken from Act 1 of Wagner's Opera 'Tristan and Isolde'. Our website was designed by Jason Spencer also of IKD Design Solutions.
 
Other partners in our endeavour include Winemaker Simon Gilbert www.wineworksofaustralia.com.au; Accountants and Financial advisers Chapman & Eastway of Sydney www.chapeast.com.au; Transport Companies Smiths Transport, Orange, NSW and Fergusons Freighters, Orange, NSW; and Export Agent Michael Bowman of Australian International Resources