About Us

Antechamber Bay is situated on the eastern end of Dudley Peninsula Kangaroo Island, South Australia.

The Lashmar family (Bronwyn's forefathers) settled there in 1856, and for the past 144 years have farmed the land around the Bay and Cape Willoughby, growing merino wool and cereal crops.

A picturesque property indeed, with views of Antechamber Bay, and mainland South Australia to the north east across Backstairs Passage. The property is surrounded by gently rolling hills and pasture, framing Lashmar Lagoon and Chapman River. A common feature here, as it is on most of Kangaroo Island is the large population of native animals and water birds, which live in and around the scrubby headlands and Lashmar Lagoon.

In 1991 we planted a trial block of Cabernet Sauvignon in the "Summer Garden" near the lagoon. The first crop was harvested in 1993, and a grand total of nine bottles were produced. As the vines matured the resultant crops were excellent, and for several years, won medals and trophies at the National Amateur Wine Show. We were convinced that Kangaroo Island, and more specifically, Dudley Peninsula could produce premium full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon and so the decision was made to start a commercial venture.

Antechamber Bay Wines was formed in 1996, and after more trials our first commercial wines were made in 1999 and released in October 2000. A Cabernet Sauvignon from Kangaroo Island, and a Shiraz named Three Valleys using fruit from mainland South Australia.

Lashmar Lagoon