Robertsons Well

John "Poor Man" Robertson was one of South Australia's great pioneers. He came from Invernesshire, Scotland in the 1830's and gained his nickname after a land lease dispute with the famous Henty family of Portland.

Old man Henty, wanting to gain the advantage, arranged the hearing to be called with little warning before the Lands Commissioner at Portland. John is reported to have left his work in the paddock to quickly ride to Portland, arriving just as his wealthy competitor drove up in his carriage to the hearing. Their submissions made, the Judge decided in favour of Robertson, saying he felt it morally right to "help the poor man". The joke was repeated far and wide and John Robertson became "poor Man" Robertson for the rest of his life.

Robertson established a grand home at the centre of his huge property called Straun. The station at one time ran over 60,000 sheep and took in some of the best grazing land in South Australia's South East. Part of the property was named Robertson's Well after a large well, sunk into the district's hard layer of limestone in the 1840's. This part of the station is now one of Mildara's premium vineyards in the Coonawarra region.

Mildara's reputation for producing Cabernet at Coonawarra is second to none. Since its first release of its outstanding 1963 vintage (the famous Peppermint Pattie) Mildara's Coonawarra reds have won every major Australian red wine trophy - including the prestigious Jimmy Watson twice.

Robertson's Well Cabernet Sauvignon is matured in a selection of new French oak hogsheads for eighteen months prior to bottling. The style is big, rich and flavoursome. The bouquet is full of black currants and spice and the flavour long with drying tannins to finish. This is a classic Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon - it is delight to drink now but will also repay at least 10 years bottle maturation.

Tasting Notes


John "Poor Man" Robertson was one of South Australia's great pioneers. He came from Invernesshire, Scotland in the 1830's and gained his nickname after a land lease dispute with the famous Henty family of Portland. Old man Henty, wanting to gain the advantage, arranged the hearing to be called with little warning before the Lands Commissioner at Portland. John is reported to have left his work in the paddock to quickly ride to Portland, arriving just as his wealthy competitor drove up in his carriage to the hearing. Their submissions made, the Judge decided in favour of Robertson, saying he felt it morally right to "help the poor man". The joke was repeated far and wide and John Robertson became "poor Man" Robertson for the rest of his life. Robertson established a grand home at the centre of his huge property called Straun. The station at one time ran over 60,000 sheep and took in some of the best grazing land in South Australia's South East. Part of the property was named Robertson's Well after a large well, sunk into the district's hard layer of limestone in the 1840's. This part of the station is now one of Mildara's premium vineyards in the Coonawarra region. Mildara's reputation for producing Cabernet at Coonawarra is second to none. Since its first release of its outstanding 1963 vintage (the famous Peppermint Pattie) Mildara's Coonawarra reds have won every major Australian red wine trophy - including the prestigious Jimmy Watson twice. Robertson's Well Cabernet Sauvignon is matured in a selection of new French oak hogsheads for eighteen months prior to bottling. The style is big, rich and flavoursome. The bouquet is full of black currants and spice and the flavour long with drying tannins to finish. This is a classic Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon - it is delight to drink now but will also repay at least 10 years bottle maturation.
Tasting Notes