Barwon Plains vineyard makes the most of superb terroir

Barwon Mansion is one of the most beautiful historic houses in the Geelong wine region of Victoria, Australia. It is also famous as the place from which Australia's rabbit population started.

In 1871, the mansion's owner, Thomas Austin, imported 12 pairs of rabbits so he could hunt them. We are all familiar with the phrase "breeds like rabbits". Some of the rabbits escaped and the rest is agricultural history.

The Australian Conservation Foundation has described Australia's millions of rabbits as an "environmental catastrophe" for native plants and animals.