So in 1997, 5 second-hand barriques were purchased and experimentations with the varieties Shiraz, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon began. The pressings and free run from the Cabernet and Shiraz were kept separate to note the different maturation processes of each wine in different styles of oak. Chris and Dennis' son, Christian, who was working at Rockford wines at the time, became an essential part of the team during this vintage.

While working at Torbreck in 1998, Christian encountered Dan Phillips of 'The Grateful Palate'. Dan was a wine writer in the U.S. and a soon to be legendary importer of Australian wine to the States. Barrel samples of the 1996 Cabernet and 1997 Grenache, sent to the U.S., led to the sale of 11 cases and a review by Robert Parker Jr., which started the phones ringing.