Why Scottish Highlanders?
Why not? Two Hands Proprietor Michael Twelftree has always loved cows and when the opportunity came to have his own, he jumped at the chance. Brutus was a character in MT’s favourite childhood comic, Asterix, and thought it was a fitting name for our gruff ‘hairy coo’.
Highland cattle have a docile temperament, Brutus and his ladies are no exception. Although, they are naturally quite protective of the calves, let’s say there is a little bit of argy-bargy in the ranks. Records show that Highland cattle are actually the oldest registered breed in the world and interestingly, a group of Highland Cattle is not called a herd but a “fold” instead. Our fold are free to graze around their large acreage paddock living the high life. Brutus and his family are often seen taking a dip in their purpose-made dam or leisurely lying around, just taking in the splendour of Holy Grail Vineyard.
Assisting our Viticulture
The highlanders are helping out the soil health of our estate Vineyards with their waste along with 100% of the grape must post vintage both contributing to the 300 tonnes of organic compost we add back into our vineyards each year, in order to support the natural balance within our vines.
Meet the Fold
Set off in one of our bespoke Landrovers for a Vineyard Experience and you’ll discover there is more to our Holy Grail Vineyard than just vines and a breathtaking view. Taste the Holy Grail Shiraz onsite and say hello to Brutus and his ladies on the way back to Cellar Door for a tasting in our private tasting room.
Special Feeding Time
Our neighbours Seppeltsfield Road Distillers take sustainability as seriously as we do. When distilling House Gin and peeling a bunch of oranges to use the peel, normally they juice the fruit to make syrups and cordials for cocktails, but sometimes our cows get lucky with a special treat!
Cleo and Clementine are on the moo-ve to Marananaga!
Over the coming months before Summer 2025, our team will be building a new deck and planting a nature trail that will overlook Cleo and Clem's paddock next to Cellar Door. Visitors will have a front-row seat to enjoy taking photos of our shaggy girls and stunning views of the Seppeltsfield Road palms.
Everything should be ready for you to go on a walk to visit them by Summer, stay tuned!
Our Fold
Brutus
Brutus is a handsomely striking young bull, with a near-perfect straight back and terrific feet. Brutus is a Dun colouring, he can have multiple different colours of offspring.
Cleo
Cleo is one of our original highlanders and has been with us for many years. She's also the face of the Single Vineyard Series wine, 2021 Cleo's Block Shiraz
Clementine
Clementine is the older sister of Cleo and the boss of everyone but Brutus. She has the larger set of horns and they are much more rounded than her sister.
Patty
Patty is one of our new heifers, bought in 2024 to be a new young girlfriend for Brutus and help with Clem and Cleo being able to retire to our Marananga property.
Selma
Selma is the sister of Patty (both named after the Simpson sisters). Both her and Patty are super friendly young highlanders and love guests visiting them on vineyard tours.
Babies!
Every Spring Brutus gifts us 4 new babies, the fun of arriving to Holy Grail vineyard to find a new calf doesn't wear off. We sell our offspring to other farms every season.
FAQs
Are your cows at Cellar Door when I visit?
The main heard live at our vineyard which is private property. However, in Summer two will be moving over to Cellar Door to be able to see them when the nature trail is built.
Can I pat your Highland Cows?
By booking one of our Vineyard Experience to taste our wines at the vineyard you can meet Brutus and co. The new heifers are very friendly and usually come up to the fence to us for food, however we can not guarantee this on the day.
In Summer two of our cows, Cleo and Clem, will be able to be seen via our new walking trail. No patting or touching them will be possible.
Do you sell them?
Our Highlanders are pets to us! They live the high life and contribute to the vineyard eco system.
We do sell Brutus' offspring off every year to different farmers. Or keep one here and there!
