Feature Image: Lauren and Nick Rowett at Somewhere South Vineyards. Source: Harry Vick.
Perched on 200 acres in Willunga, Somewhere South is steadily transforming from a family home and vineyard into a destination for intimate events and Sunday sessions among the vines.
The wine label has revealed work is well underway on a new event space, centred around a 90-year-old shearing shed that will become the heart of the venue. Built around the original structure rather than replacing it, the project is designed to make the most of the property’s history.
Lauren and Nick Rowett moved to the former Willunga Creek Winery nearly two years ago, trading suburban Brighton for a slower pace of life in the Fleurieu.
“We were just looking for land for our family and we found this property up in Willunga,” Lauren said.
“When we were looking, we’d say, ‘As long as we find somewhere south, we’ll be fine.’ That’s how it came about.”
The incredible views sealed the deal, she added.
“On a clear day, you can see all the way from Sellicks Beach to Mount Lofty.
“We just couldn’t go past it.”
The winery offers sweeping views from Sellicks Beach to Mt Lofty. Image: Harry Vick.
However, the move came with more than just a new address, with the family inheriting vineyards and the 90 year old shearing shed that had been converted into a cellar door 20 years prior.
Despite having no winemaking experience, the Rowetts decided to embrace what came with the property. Within their first year they had produced their first vintage, creating the Somewhere South label from the ground up.
Nick and Lauren created their wine label in 2024. Image: Kenjo Studios.
While the wines came first, it was the old shearing shed that sparked the next chapter.
“We would just look at this beautiful quaint little shed every day and think, ‘Gosh, what can we do?’ Which is how the dream started,” Lauren said.
The venue has been designed with weddings in mind, featuring interconnected event spaces and a dedicated bridal parlour, while future plans include five accommodation cabins overlooking the vineyards.
“We are purpose built for weddings,” Lauren says. “It’s such a beautiful space.”
“But we also want to run Sunday sessions and things like that, have local artists come and play, and showcase our wines.”
Melbourne design studio Studio Gram developed the concept for the redevelopment, with the design taking cues from the existing building rather than competing with it.
“The idea is that we want to keep the essence of the shearing shed there,” Lauren says. “The design sits within the current environment.”
The interiors blend what Lauren describes as “modern Australian meets Mediterranean”, using natural materials including timber, stone and Venetian plaster to complement the surrounding landscape.
The work in progress. Image: Supplied.
Rather than handing the project over to contractors, the couple are building much of it themselves.
“My husband is a builder, so he’s on site down there every day,” Lauren said. “I’ve led the interior design side of it myself.”
“We’re very hands on. Everything that we want to do here, we want to do it ourselves.”
Somewhere South
When: Opening mid next year
Where: Willunga South
To find out more, click here.
