“With all this uncertainty around Australia and the world, a lot of people are looking for value for money and they’re also looking for something familiar and trusted,” says Barossa winemaker Trent Burge.

It might be a tough economic climate to launch a new wine label, but that’s exactly what Trent and his sister Amelia Burge have done this year in founding Corryton Burge wines.

Burge is a famous surname in the wine industry, which is sure to help in establishing this new brand, but Trent says there is plenty of work to be done to build trust with anything new.

“Yes, the name opens the door, but there are so many great wine brands and it’s a really competitive market, especially locally,” he says.

“And when people are drinking at home, they probably don’t want to spend too much on taking a risk.

“It comes down to the product that you have, you as a person, and the relationship you have with people. I’d like to think we tick a lot of boxes for people with this brand, and the sole focus is wine quality.”

Trent’s parents Grant and Helen Burge founded Grant Burge Wines in 1988, and in 2015 sold the brand to Accolade Wines, while the family kept hold of their Illaparra winery and cellar door in Tanunda.

Now, sixth-generation Burges Trent and Amelia have launched the Corryton Burge label, a name that the family trademarked many years ago.

“We’ve always had it there behind the scenes. We want it to be true to our family history and that we are the true Burges out there in the market,” Trent says.

Trent and Amelia lean on the red-wine expertise of chief winemaker Matthew Pellew and the white-wine nous of winemaker Andrew Cockram, at the Burge family’s Illaparra winery, while father Grant is playing a mentoring role.

The label is named after the family’s 150-year-old Corryton Park homestead, nestled among the hills of Eden Valley, where it is guarded by a pair of carved stone griffins, from which came the idea for the label’s design.

“We’re really lucky to have that property now in our midst,” Trent says.

“We thought it was fitting, with the griffin at the main gate of the property. In Medieval times the griffin actually stood as a protector of precious gems, properties, or animals, and that really resonated with us in regards to the whole property itself.

“It symbolises the protection of our brand going forward, and it’s an icon that people can relate to.”

For Corryton Burge, the family has carefully selected grape growing regions and vineyards, including those of the Burge’s 300 hectares of vines across the Barossa and Adelaide Hills. They have also sourced grapes from Tasmania for their Pinot Noir, creating a tie to Helen Burge’s heritage.

“Yes our Burge roots are deep here in Barossan soil, but Mum actually grew up in Tasmania and we wanted to showcase that other side of our family,” Trent says.

Retailing at $28, the entry-level “Kith” range features a 2020 Eden Valley Riesling, 2020 Adelaide Hills Pinot Gris, and 2018 Barossa Shiraz.

Then at $45, the premium “Kin” range features The Patroness Adelaide Hills Chardonnay, Cornelian Bay Tasmania Pinot Noir, and The Brigadier Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon.

The range and tasting experience are available from the family’s Tanunda cellar door, Underground Barossa, which also showcases Trent and Amelia’s own brands. Trent launched Barossa Boy wines three years ago, while Amelia’s range of sparkling wines is called Amelia Burge.

“We each have our piece of wine how we want to create it, but the overarching Corryton Burge label brings us all together and we can decide on things as a family,” Trent says.

“Our family has always been known for providing good quality wine at a good price point, and over-delivering on the wine versus what you pay for it.”