The Darling family has lived in the King Valley for 100 years. We have grown apples, tobacco, grapes, wine, sheep and cattle.
Darling Estate Wines and Koombahla Vineyard in Whitfield are owned and run by John Darling, the fourth generation of the family in the valley.
John’s grandfather, Frederick Darling, moved to Cheshunt in 1919 following his return from service in the First World War to grow apples on property bought by his parents. He soon bought another property on the river to grow tobacco, a vibrant time in the valley when many European migrants brought their culture and joie de vivre.
Growing up in this environment, John’s father, Guy, developed a respect and passion for the land and what could be produced as well as a love of wine. In 1970 Guy purchased “Koombahla” in Whitfield, and planted the first commercial vineyard in the Upper King Valley. At this time the grapes were all sold to Brown Brothers who made many award winning wines from Koombahla fruit.
In 1990, Guy and John started to produce small quantities of wine under the Darling Estate label. Following Guy’s death, John and his partner Christine along with Edina the Airedale returned to the valley continuing the story and establishing the next generation of winemaking at Darling Estate.
John’s daughter Sophie has become involved in all things wine related and in 2018, John’s youngest daughter Grace, partner Luke and children Maddison and Archie have moved to Koombahla working the vineyard with Grandpa! The fifth and sixth generations are here.