Welcome to Wonnarua

History of the Wonnarua

We gather on the lands of the Wonnarua people, the traditional owners of the Hunter Valley.  

According to Wonnarua dreamtime, the Hunter Valley was created by the great spirit, Baiame (By-a-mee). Before Baiame there was nothing, everything was sleeping. Baiame awoke and created everything, the mountains, plains, rivers and every living thing. 

Baiame also created Kawal (Ka-wal), to watch over the Wonnarua people. The spirit of Kawal is embodied in the wedge tailed eagle, found through the Hunter Valley. When the Wonnarua see the wedge tailed eagle, they know Kawal is looking over them, protecting them. 

The Wonnarua were part of the land. The land held the key to life’s secrets. Man was given knowledge to read the land and for every rock, tree and creek he found an explanation for existence. He did not own the land, the land owned him. 

 

The Tulloch family have been living and working in the Hunter Valley since 1838 when James Tulloch first arrived in Australia from his homeland of Scotland. Tulloch Wines has been producing wine from the surrounding vineyards since 1895. 

We have created this Welcome to Wonnarua wine tasting experience in consultation with local Elder, Uncle Warren. In doing so, we aim to amplify understanding of our local First Nations people and culture. 

We have incorporated native ingredients into the tasting experience as a unique way to experience these traditional ingredients in a contemporary form. 

Tulloch Wines have committed to donating $5 from every Welcome to Wonnarua tasting to help protect and maintain Wonnarua significant sites. 

 

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