by Brian Cain
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
At Loudbark wines managing director Clifford Barking was in the humble office his family had made decisions in for over a hundred and fifty years, a solid timber colonial building made from the very timber cleared to plant the vines. His ancestors originally lived in the dwelling and the main winery operation was constructed directly adjacent undergoing expansion with the fruits of success overlooking the most picturesque area of the valley below the broken back range. A stark contrast was present when one considered the working environment of the adjacent Greedy Piggy Creek coal mine. Staff at Loudbark willingly spent hours outside expected hours and there was a distinct lack of stern procedure or written demand. The air was filled with the scent of flowers with bees eagerly foraging for honey. Kangaroos spent that much time unmolested eating grass amongst the buildings and vines right next to staff they could nearly speak English. Parrots sat on branches of ancient gums chatting about next generation with confidence. Winemaking was a lengthy task requiring patience and prescience. Clifford had fantastic dedicated staff and they would have it no other way in the perfect spot to shake ageing of the body, this is where neighbour Shangri La wines had originated their name. The weather for the harvest season had been hot two weeks of forty Celsius and even the rose trees placed perfectly symmetrical on the end of each row of vines on the wide green hillsides showed signs of stress. Seasonal pickers had worked extended hours to bring in the crop and minimise damage to the grapes the contract seasonal workers showed stress themselves but had rallied in the comfort of a cooler change. Rains had been good and a bumper crop of Shiraz and Semillon grapes with low yields of high quality for which the area is justly renowned. Bob Fields was head winemaker having a team that included Barking family members crafting some of Australia's most iconic wines consistently ensuring that Loudbark's obsession with quality and tradition was upheld. Bob Fields had worked his way up to this trusted position and was considered part of the Barking family he had now been there so long.
Clifford Barking was not a horse man but had dealings with stables and studs in the valley relating to the issue of coal mining encroaching on their operations. He was however interested in Bob Fields life and eagerly listened to the story of Flaxmead and the horses pending first run. What he heard was what he expected of the man he had known and trusted for so long a horse to make his children smile. They also discussed the new owners of the neighbouring Shangri La wines an eccentric and most interesting pair of English seniors. It would appear the pair had acquired the operation in a drunken stupa but Clifford and Bob were far wiser. Tracking a mile of paperwork that would give full ownership and control to the pair was interesting and someone who really knew how to handle money had forged the deal. They were over the moon that the dreaded Greedy Piggy Creek coal mine had failed to acquire the property and the Chinese pushing there way into the industry had also been kept at bay. There were known dubious motives for the Greedy Piggy Creek mob fronted by Janeiro Coffee and what was considered a similar view of the Chinese push. The new owners had put in a manager retaining the staff already there that had always given Loudbark a run for their money at shows and competitions. Something really puzzled and interested them, a small complex that could house horses had been immediately added to the Shangri La Landscape but as yet no horses had materialised. The thing that impressed Bob and Clifford the most was the immediate attack on the Greedy Piggy Creek Coal management by the eccentric new owners. Rumoured to be cashed up they had already threatened to buy the mining giant through the back door fill the open cuts with water and open a gold fish farm giving joy rides on the heavy equipment with the operations staff wearing clown suits and red noses. Janeiro Coffee actually listened and took note that the two English eccentrics well known in the annals of world finance had taken on far stranger things and made them work. The Greedy Piggy mob were into selling coal and realised a new strategy in the valley would have to be found and planned to bring their usual ally on board the Australian government. The conversation was always going back to the topic of Flaxmead Clifford aware of little Lindy Cumberland and the fight by their family for courage and persistence in the industry. Harper had put trainers in touch with Bob Fields a horse enthusiast himself from a young age, with Bob Fields assistance the wine industry had helped many struggling jockeys and Lindy Cumberland's brother was one of them. Lindys brother's death from a fall had shocked the wine industry but the Cumberland family courage bringing their daughter to the fray impressed Clifford. He offered support by attending the upcoming meeting at Scone with Bob although it was the busiest time of the year; he had no idea what he would witness.