Hahndorf and The Barossa - Valleys of Hope

Ted Egan’s journey from the plains of Adelaide into the hills to Hahndorf and then north to the Barossa valley traces the route taken by early German migrants on their quest for new lands and freedom from religious persecution. Some years ago Ted performed with the Barossa’s Nuriootpa brass band. He became close friends with many valley people and as a consequence he wrote his song “A Schlucke and A Snitter” to celebrate the achievements of those hardy pioneers. This story looks at the achievements of men such as artist Sir Hans Heysen. We meet grape growers and famous wine makers with names such as Lehmann, Burge, Scharple, Seppelt, and Schulz. We see them at work and at play and on one Sunday in the midst of the grape harvest we join them for a traditional harvest ‘thanksgiving and blessing’ of the crop. At Seppeltfield, Bill Seppelt, representing the fourth generation of his family in Australia, takes Ted into the inner sanctum that for years held the secrets of Seppelt‘s success. At Peter Lehmann Wines we learn that a handshake is still a man’s word and that trust between a winemaker and his growers is a powerful force.