The Vavasour family has had its roots in the Awatere Valley since 1887, and it was the Vavasour family that pioneered commercial grapegrowing and winemaking, Peter and Anna Vavasour planting the first vines in the Dashwood district in 1986 and establishing the region's first winery. Peter and Anna's son Louis Vavasour attended and graduated from Roseworthy agricultural college, and following winemaking experience in France, California and Australia set up the Awatere River Wine Company to make high quality wine to accompany fine food. www.arwc.co.nz