2025 Wrap Up with Ben Teakle

When I look back on the year, what I’m most proud of is the people behind it. Launching our new brand felt like turning a page, not changing who we are, but giving us the confidence to tell our story in a bigger way. What’s driven that progress is our team. Their care, energy and belief in what we’re building has shaped everything we’ve done this year.

One of the moments that really brought that home for me was the launch of The Lawn. I’m incredibly proud of the entire team, with Kirsten leading the project, for backing a space that feels relaxed and welcoming while still delivering the quality people expect from us. With more young families now part of our business, creating somewhere everyone can enjoy feels important. Seeing Harvey running around the lawn for the first time was a pretty special moment for Kylie and me.

Releasing our first Reserve Shiraz was another standout this year. It represents the quality of fruit our region can produce and the care taken in both the vineyard and winery. Working on this wine with Liz, alongside KS Design and MCC on the label, was a fun and meaningful process, and I know Dad would have been proud of this one.

Behind the scenes, we’ve also been working on the relaunch of our Wine Club, which is now live and something I’m really excited about. I’ve always valued wine clubs that feel generous, easy to be part of and genuinely rewarding. That’s what we’re aiming to deliver, giving members first access to our wines, events at Line & Label and what we’re building here on the hill. The best way to join is by visiting the Cellar Door, or you can find more details on our website.

It’s been great watching people discover our wines at events this year. From Cellar Door Fest and Tasting Australia in Adelaide to Ceduna Oysterfest on the Eyre Peninsula and the upcoming Tunarama celebrations here in Port Lincoln, the response has been incredibly encouraging. As part of Tunarama, we’ll also be hosting our Oysters & Champagne event on 15 January, which we’re really looking forward to. Seeing people connect with our wines in these settings, especially newer releases like our Sparkling and Rosé, has been a real highlight.

To everyone who has supported us throughout 2025, thank you. With the rising cost of living, every visit, booking and bottle purchased truly means something to our team. The new brand, menu changes, event nights, extended cellar door trading and The Lawn relaunch are only possible because of your support. From Kylie, Harvey, our team and me, thank you for being part of our journey. We wish you a safe and happy holiday season.

Ben, Kylie & Harvey Teakle