From the time the Harma family bought their Porongurup range property ‘Ironwood’ on the Porongurup Tourist Drive in the early '90s, the nearly habitable rammed earth and concrete homestead, with its roofline covering the extremities from the central gable like a giant bird with a corrugated iron wingspan, was ordained to be the future cellar sales. 

As the vineyard had not yet been planted, but was clearly in their minds from the beginning, it was truly forward thinking, influenced by righteous nostalgism.  The position was perfect, cut into the slope as it was, gazing over a valley which falls to the basin that once formed the ocean floor between the Porongurup and Stirling Ranges.   

The rambling white rose at the front, with its tree-like trunk and fragrant branches, creeping up over the adjacent bush carport, looked like a cotton ball or snowball tree to those passing along the road, a cricket ball hit away. What name would top the list for this quaint and picturesque settler’s home?  “Rose Cottage” naturally. 

The decade passed as IRONWOOD Estate Wines established itself as the Porongurup vineyard on the shores of the landmark dam across the valley below. As IRONWOOD Estate Wines was building its name for a good local drop, the old Rose Cottage stood its ground and gathered more dust and rust as it clung to the dream of a springclean spruce-up, a bright new bonnet, twinkling lights and mirthful laughter from those within, enjoying days of wine and roses.

The new millennium brought in a new determination to revive and restore Rose Cottage to its youthful attraction.  The specialists came and went … architects, engineers, builders and building surveyors.  The Harma’s vision was supported by all who wanted to help instill new life within its half-century old walls. At the very heart of Rose Cottage, under the main gable, was the core value of wide jarrah floorboards, spacious central living and large bedrooms with raked ceilings. 

All the professionals agreed that amputations were necessary, but that prosthetics would put new life into Rose Cottage’s old outskirts. The plans evolved on the drawing board to have IRONWOOD Estate Wines' gallery, wine tasting and office at the centre, with a cool cellar on one side and a restaurant and deck on the other.

Restaurant patrons will have Stirling Range stretching out before them on one side and the Twin Peaks of the Porongurup towering above them on the other. The Cellar will hold some reserve museum stock of the award-winning line-up that includes Riesling, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay.  Those who come to taste the fruit of the vine will have current available vintages to sample as well as Merlot, Late Harvest and the dancing, dapper Rocky Rose to thrill their palates.

When you drive into IRONWOOD Estate Wines cellar sales on the dress circle, with its alpine setting and redefined function from the old Rose Cottage days, you will appreciate and understand the pride that made it stand the test of time until the restoration. Upon entering the original space you will feel the comfort of an old friend saying “Welcome, I’ve looked forward to your arrival for a long time!”.

Telephone orders : phone 08 9853 1126
Email orders : ironwood@iinet.net.au
Mail orders : printable order form here