History of Andermel Marron,
Two Wheeler Creek Wines and The Marron Café
Andermel Pty Ltd was incorporated in 1997 with
an initial thrust to establish a sizeable marron farm on Kangaroo
Island based on the principal’s background in water treatment
and an interest in both aquaculture and this boutique crustacean.
A visit to Western Australian Fisheries in 1996
and associated visits to one or two best practice WA farms laid
the foundations to adopt their approach of purpose designed
ponds, all netted against birds, with paddle wheels for aeration
and using a manufactured pellet feed. The farm design capacity
was to be approx 10 tonnes pa. Construction commenced in April
1997 and so Andermel Marron was born. In the end perhaps 70%
of WA design and 30% of on site innovations were used.
Once marron were being produced a processing shed
was erected to wash, grade and hold harvested marron ready for
market.
The lure of a vineyard did not take long to follow,
spurred on by local vignerons, with initially 4.8 Ha (12 acres
) of cabernet sauvignon and shiraz planted in 1999. The Two
Wheeler Creek wine label originated from the creek at the bottom
of the vineyard which itself had been named a century ago when
a surveyor’s two wheeled cart fell in during surveying
of the area. A further 3.2 Ha (8 acres) of sauvignon blanc and
chardonnay followed in 2003 to provide a balance of red and
white wines and to take advantage of the local cooler climate
conditions.
A ‘rustic’ cellar door was constructed
in the marron holding shed and is fully licensed for wine tastings
and take away bottle sales. The location in the shed works well
as visitors experience both the marron and the wine in close
environs.
In 2001/2 Andermel was the chosen Kangaroo Island
site for a 3 year collaborative trial with the CSIRO Land and
Water Division for evaluation of 9 native herb plants ( bush
tucker ) to be grown in varying climatic conditions, mainly
around SA. These included lemon myrtle, mountain pepper, a range
of native citrus, lemon aspen, quandong, wattle seed, bush tomatoes,
riberry and muntries.
The periodic strong winds were a major limiting
factor on Kangaroo Island and only the lemon myrtle and mountain
pepper showed sufficient growth to be of interest. Sauce and
other products from these original two plants have been developed.
Andermel has persevered further with new plantings of lemon
myrtle and mountain pepper in a shade house to provide more
protection.There was no initial intent to become involved in
tourism but once such a unique combination of marron and wine
was available there was a great desire to showcase these products
on site.
Even though marron were originally from Western
Australia they are a Kangaroo Island icon and in their own right
are the first element of interest to visitors, including farm
gate sales. Then coupled with the ability to provide Two Wheeler
Creek wine tastings and sales at a cellar door there is the
second element. Following discussion with Tourism Kangaroo Island
and the Kangaroo Island Development Board there was the third
element with strong support to establish an on farm Café.
This would provide the unique 3 in 1 experience, not only of
the marron and wine above but also to have a gastronomical delight
at the west end of the Island where there was little else on
offer to visitors or even locals.
In deciding to proceed, some grant aid was won
from the South Australian Tourism Commission – Tourism
Development Fund and the Australian Government – Australian
Tourism Development Program. Construction commenced early 2006
with the Marron Café then opening late November 2006.
This is a brunch, lunch or afternoon tea venue
due to the farm’s location in the middle of the Island
and a very convenient stop over to or from Remarkable Rocks
or the Western end of the Island. Some evening or night functions
have been held and are most welcome but these are by arrangement
and not part of the daily operating cycle.
|
