Established 1849
175 years of history.
And a new chapter.
From a stone homestead and apple orchard in 1849, to one of Australia's most celebrated boutique wineries. The story of Crabtree is the story of Watervale itself — and it's far from over.
Pomona — the beginning.
The estate now known as Crabtree Watervale Wines was founded in 1849 and originally named "Pomona" — a well-respected orchard during the late 1800s growing apples, plums, pears and currants. The stone homestead built at that time still stands today, heritage-listed and one of the oldest structures in the Clare Valley.
It may have been partially replanted to vines for wine production when the property was purchased by Watervale vigneron Valentin Mayr in 1888, but this is speculation — a photograph from the early 1900s clearly shows the homestead still surrounded by orchards on the east-facing slopes.
The Glaetzer era — Fairview.
From the 1930s, after the Glaetzer family purchased the property, vines were planted in earnest. They renamed the estate "Fairview" — and the vines they planted in the 1940s still produce premium fruit for Crabtree estate wines today. Those are vines now approaching 80 years old, with the root systems and concentration that only age can produce.
The Glaetzer name went on to become synonymous with Australian winemaking. Adolf Glaetzer was better known in the Clare Valley for his fresh fruit and vegetables, but his descendants carried that agricultural passion directly into some of the country's most celebrated wine.
Robert Crabtree — the winery is born.
English-born Robert Crabtree purchased the property in 1984 and built a small, modern winery. He reconditioned the heritage-listed homestead, upgraded much of the vineyard, and gave the estate the name it carries today.
Robert's vision was to develop a wine business modelled on the great French Burgundy estates — renowned for home-grown wines that truly reflect the site from which the vines are grown. That philosophy of estate integrity remains at the very core of everything Crabtree does to this day.
He planted Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, and additional Riesling — building out the estate range that would go on to win national and international recognition. After 25 years building something remarkable, Robert sold the property in 2007 to take some well-earned time away from the endeavour he had given so much to.
The original homestead and a photo from the original Pomona orchards — circa early 1900s.
Between chapters — the estate endures.
After Robert Crabtree's sale in 2007, the property changed hands and the wines continued to be produced from this extraordinary estate. The vineyard — with its 1940s Glaetzer-era vines, red terra rossa soils and Watervale elevation — is not something that diminishes. The land holds its character regardless of who tends it.
The heritage-listed homestead stood, the old vines kept growing, and Crabtree wines continued to find their way onto tables across Australia. But the estate was ready for a new owner with vision, investment, and an appetite to take it to the next level.
February 2022 — present
The new chapter.
The Cane family.
When Jason and Cristy purchased Crabtree in February 2022 — backed by founding shareholders Richard and Leanne Cane — they didn't buy it to maintain the status quo. They bought it to build something. And from day one, they have invested in the infrastructure, the talent, and the vision to make Crabtree one of the finest boutique estates in the Clare Valley.
2022
Jason & Cristy, backed by founding shareholders Richard & Leanne Cane, begin a new era at one of Watervale's most historic estates.
What we've built since 2022
Kenny
"We didn't buy Crabtree to be caretakers. We bought it to build something that this land — and 175 years of history — genuinely deserves."
— Jason Cane, Co-owner
Come and see what we're building.
Our cellar door is open seven days in Watervale. Taste the wines, meet the family, and see the estate that carries 175 years of history in every bottle.
