Blends of mourvedre and genache, as in our Rara Avis red, are rare with both varieties have long neglected in the Barossa Valley. Strange really because both grape types thrive in its warm climate and are part of the valley’s heart and soul. Many of the vines are of great age, unwanted survivors from 50 years ago when they were used to make fortified wines.
The illustration by David C.J. Gassaway, his interpretation of Rara Avis, depicts the essence of the Barossa with its unique and important old vine varieties.
Discovered and Extinct in the Space of a Year
How the title Rara Avis was bestowed on a rare New Zealand bird was explained in the “Christchurch Press” back in 1896:
“At a recent meeting of the Ornithologists’ Club in London, the Hon. WRothschild, the well-known collector, described this veritable “rara
avis”, specimens of which he had obtained from Mr Henry Travers ofWellington, who, we understand, got them from the lighthouse keeper at Stephens Island, who in his turn is reported to have been indebted tohis cat for this remarkable ornithological ‘find’.
As to how many specimens Mr Travers, the lighthouse keeper and the catmanaged to secure between them we have no information, but there is very good reason to believe that the bird is no longer to be found on this island, as it is not known to exist anywhere else, it has apparently become quite extinct. This is probably a record performance in the way of extermination. The English scientific world will hear almost simultaneously of its discovery and its disappearance, before anything”os known of its life-history or its habits.”
