In 1979, a young couple purchased a rundown vineyard in the heart of Vine Vale in the Barossa. As it was a labour of love, Dennis Canute and sixth generation Barossa grape grower Christine refused to accept the tragic vine pull at the time. Instead, they decided to rejuvenate the old Shiraz and Grenache grandfather vines.

However, the now-famous Rusden name was only born in 1987 when they rejected having to supply their fruit to large companies that paid a pittance. As a disciple of Rockford’s Robert O’Callaghan, next-generation grower/winemaker Christian Canute is incredibly proud of this unique vineyard and makes sure its personality speaks clearly through each wine that bears the Rusden label.

"I vividly remember my cousin introducing me to Zinfandel and thinking, “wow, what a grape variety!” About a year later I stumbled across a couple of short rows which had been planted on one of our neighbour’s vineyards in the early seventies. After offering to prune the vines in exchange for a few cuttings, Mum, Dad and I grafted an old dry grown block of Trebbiano next to the chook shed, over to Zinfandel, putting them amongst the oldest Zinfandel vines around. Apart from its year in year out consistency, the biggest kick I get out of making the Zin every year is the look of surprise, and the wide eyed grins that follow on the faces of many of our loyal mailing list customers." Christian Canute - Owner/Winemaker

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