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Page 1 of 3 In 1979 Christine and Dennis Canute purchased 40 acres of run-down vineyard in Vine Vale; white sand over red clay country in the heart of the Barossa. Grapes were not a precious commodity at the time, but the idea of a 'hobby farm', with room for the kids to run, seemed adventurous and was to become a serious labour of love. Dennis continued his profession as a teacher to provide the funds for Chris(tine), a 5th generation Barossa grape grower, to slowly rejuvenate the old vineyard. As with many ventures, a few mistakes were made along the way including ripping out some very old Grenache, Mataro and Semillon bush vines (most of which were half buried in drift sand). Thankfully the old Shiraz and some old Grenache survived the tragic 'vine pull' of the early 80's. The Canute grapes were sold to local wineries. The 70's and 80's were tough times. The large companies used the Barossa as a blending ground for fruit from all over South Australia. Grape prices were laughable unless you were crying! Always believing in the quality of the fruit grown (and not being able to afford a decent bottle of red) Dennis, with friend Russell, decided to make a barrel of Cabernet Sauvignon for personal consumption and enjoyment. It was good enough to put a label on so the name RUSDEN (the shortened forms of Russell and Dennis) was born. That was 1992. In 1994 the home-made Shiraz was consumed with relish and the decision was made to carry out some serious 'research and development'.
The attitude of the larger wineries to Barossa fruit (which was 'We'll grow the quality, you grow the quantity!') stiffened the resolve to prove that fruit grown on the Vine Vale sand could produce wine that had the capability of standing alone; not only as Barossa Valley wine, but as a single vineyard product.
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History
