OUR TEAM OF WINE EXPERTS

The Zerbes arrived from Prussia in the 1850s and became early fruit growers in what is now suburban Melbourne (Doncaster/Templestowe area).

August Zerbe senior, an early fruitgrower of East Doncaster, came to Victoria in 1857, settled in Doncaster in 1864 and developed a substantial orchard there.

His son Frederick Carl Zerbe expanded the family orchards to about 100 acres of apples, peaches and pears around Blackburn Road and George Street, and the family became prominent local orchardists.

August Zerbe, bred new peach varieties, including the “Zerbe peach” and the white‑fleshed “Anzac” peach named in 1915, which were grown widely on Australian orchards.

Move to the Mornington Peninsula (Bittern)

Generations later, in 1959, the Zerbe family bought an existing apple and pear orchard at Bittern on the Mornington Peninsula, known as “Tathravale”.

This property, held by the family since 1959, continued the Zerbe tradition as commercial orchardists, with apples and pears grown on the site’s well‑regarded fruit soils.

The family are described as having been orchardists in Australia since 1854, linking the Bittern holding directly back to the 19th‑century Doncaster orchards.

Transition from orchard to vineyard

In the 1990s, Garry and Karen Zerbe began converting the old Tathravale orchard into a vineyard, planting grapevines on the property in 1996–1997.

This site is now Bittern Estate, a small Mornington Peninsula winery, but its history as an apple and pear orchard under the Zerbe family remains central to the story of the property. ​

We all have different skills, but we all have one thing in common: a passion for fine wine and the desire to share it with others. We’re all dedicated to producing the best wines in the region and making sure our customers and guests are always happy with our products and service. Learn more about us and feel free to come visit us at the Winery.