THE De Mestre family conducted the Terrara Estate east of Nowra from the 1840s, and while Etienne became a notable racehorse trainer, his brother Andre established a successful vineyard.
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The Vineyard Golf Links in this vicinity have taken the name, in the area that in De Mestre's day was known as either Berung or Warra Warra.
Despite floods and droughts in this era, by the early 1860s he was enjoying success with his crop.
Specific details were revealed in February 1886, when the Shoalhaven Telegraph reported on a section of vineyard that had been down for six years:
"There are about three acres under Isabella and Shiraz grape; there being about 2000 vines. There cannot be less than five or six tons of grapes on the three acres, as each vine we feel sure, averages over 5-lb."
By 1891 Herman Conradi had the vineyard, and he continued the tradition, advertising "Grapes now ripe, splendid samples for sale. Visitors supplied with good food on the table for one shilling, the same as in De Mestre's time."
When he put the 235-acre property on the market the following year, there were 10 acres of vineyard with six in full production, and an orchard of 300 trees.
Fred Morison was the new owner of the Warra Warra Vineyard, and he completed with honours, a wine-making course at Sydney Technical College.
With the assistance of a Sydney nurseryman he remodelled the vineyard and improved his methods.
At harvest time the grounds were opened free of charge, and visitors were able to purchase grapes in any quantity.
By the turn of the century Morison had stepped up the marketing of his product, and the Telegraph editor enjoyed a hamper of his No. 1 wine for Christmas 1900.
A subsequent report described the property as "like an oasis in the desert" with the vineyard occupying four acres, and the 800-tree orchard of many fruit types.
The Isabella grape was still favoured, and the 700 gallons of wine produced during the year was valued at £350.
Described as having a rich flavour and bouquet, the wine was absolutely pure, but because of the demand Morison was not able to keep stock for as long as he wished.
In May 1903 he opened a wine depot and refreshment rooms in Junction Street, Nowra.
It was noted in the Telegraph that "his celebrated Warra Warra wine - pure juice of the grape" could be purchased for three pence a glass, or by the bottle for 1/3 and 2/6.
Later in the decade the property was taken over by Edward Begbie who dispensed with the grapes and grew potatoes in addition to his variety of fruits.