So - where to begin?
I once asked my late grandparents what they felt when they arrived from their homeland halfway around the world, to start a new life, and a new beginning in the 1920’s. Their response was “So what now? Where on earth do we begin?” Not knowing then that they would not see their families for over 30 years. And so, it began.
The 1920’s saw my late grandparents leave their families behind in what was Yugoslavia, arriving in Fremantle with no family or close friends to greet them.
Some getting work in the timber mills of our South West, and others to Kalgoorlie. Eventually, it was the Swan Valley where they would settle with a new family and build life-long friendships with the people of the region. Vineyards and wine seemed to be in their blood.
My grandmother from my mother’s side (Rosich) moved from Kalgoorlie to purchase a property in the Swan along West Swan Road, which they named Albion Wines. After selling the property in the early 1940’s, my grandfather Jack Hrabar, married Nellie Rosich, and took over the name Albion. They continued with their own vineyard including winemaking and a cooperage with Jack travelling by horse and cart to New Norcia to make barrels for the monastery’s winery during the off-season.
The memories for me and my sisters will always remain clear and strong. Being around people who were humble and hardworking. Their persistence and dedication paved the way for future land owners to build on.
As we celebrate 90 years of winemaking and my father Peter’s 90th birthday we look back with great admiration of our family members who sacrificed so much for what they hoped was going to be a better life, and it was. All our family now - as big as it is - are all so proud of our late grandparents and of my parents for what they have achieved.
The land, and the sea - it was in their blood. I know in my father’s case if it wasn’t winemaking then it would have been fishing - no question. The opposite is true for my mother. As dad would say, “Mary would get seasick in the bath”. Quite funny.
But I want to finish with two quotes. One from my father and one from my late grandfather on my mother’s side, Jack Hrabar.
Firstly, my late Grandfather when asked how he felt about wine. He said, “Like in life, look beyond the surface. It’s true meaning is behind what we initially see and smell”.
My father when asked about his life said, “If you’re happy and healthy, you’re the richest”.
I wanted to speak in pictures in this newsletter - they say so much about my father’s life. We feel proud to keep the name associated with fine wine and all that it represents. Thankyou for appreciating what we do.
We raise a glass to 90 years and a Happy 90th Birthday to my dad, Peter.
Cheers!
James