Ironstone Cellars

Wirra Wirra is an aboriginal name meaning "amongst the gumtrees". It was established in 1894 by Robert Strangways Wigley who was prudently sent to rusticate in McLaren Vale by his family. By 1901, he was the owner of one of the most significant wineries and vineyards in the district with over 100 acres under vines. Bob Wigley passed away in 1924 having contributed much of his life to the district and having made many fine wines which found their way to England, having been shipped by Burgoynes of London.

After 1936 the original 240 acres were sold by his family, and the cellars fell into disuse. In 1969 the winery (by then virtually a derelict building), and the surrounding 7 acres were bought from Vern Sparrow, son of Wigley's foreman Jack Sparrow, by cousins Greg and Roger Trott. Using the salvaged timbers from the Pirie Street Methodist Church (that was demolished in the mid 1960's) and newly quarried ironstone, Wirra Wirra was re-established, by hand, over 3 vintages to its original split level design. Since then the winery has blossomed and now has a substantial ironstone barrel store and cellar door. A timber library is almost completed also - just add books.