From a viticultural perspective, Colin Kidd of Lindemans planted a trial vineyard of Riesling, Traminer, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon in 1978 at the Cape Jaffa Almond Orchard which reportedly grew well, however, nothing eventuated from this experiment at the time.

The first commercial planting of vines was a 2 hectare block of Cabernet Sauvignon in 1989 by retired cray fisherman Bill Wehl, and his wife Margaret, who saw the similarity in soil to that at Coonawarra. Since this initial planting, a further 19 vineyards have been established, and now covers an area of over 500 hectares under vines. Many vineyards have been planted by local land owners diversifying from grazing and grain crop production while others have been planted by major local and overseas wine companies as well as smaller local winemakers. As well, a number of syndicates have also planted vineyards, with fruit sold both locally and to winemakers outside the area.