Grapes have been such an influential inspiration for so much of what I do - if not the most influential when I consider verjuice, vinegar, vino cotto, fruit pastes, jellies, and of course our wines. The entire process of growing grapes and finding every which way to use them became a natural part of life from the moment we moved to the Valley all those years ago - as it is for so many Barossans. Our culture is steeped in the wonderful cycle of the vine. And although it is no longer solely based on hand picking, the celebration to mark the end of vintage is a very special time in the Barossa and a visit across the week of our biennial Vintage Festival is something I recommend wholeheartedly to anyone interested in knowing more about just why the grapevine is so dearly appreciated. But for most home gardeners of course, it’s less about winemaking and more about the culinary benefits of having a vine in your backyard.