The story of Dunstan Wines begins more than a thousand years ago with Saint Dunstan, one of England’s most beloved saints.
Born in the 10th century, Dunstan was a Benedictine monk who would eventually become the Archbishop of Canterbury (the person who crowns the British monarch and is the head of the Church of England). He was also a skilled craftsman, serving as a blacksmith, goldsmith, and silversmith. Today, he is recognized as the patron saint of goldsmiths and silversmiths.
According to legend, Saint Dunstan was working in his smithy late one evening when an unexpected visitor arrived: the Devil himself. The Devil, who had hooves, needed a horseshoe repaired. Recognizing the evil influence the Devil had brought to the surrounding village, Dunstan decided to teach him a lesson.
While shoeing the Devil, Dunstan drove a nail into the sensitive part of the Devil’s hoof. The Devil cried out in agony and demanded he remove the nail. Dunstan agreed – but on one condition: the Devil must promise never to enter a dwelling with a horseshoe hanging above its door.
The Devil accepted, and from that day forward, people began hanging horseshoes over their doors and windows as a symbol of protection, good fortune, and luck.
Fast forward to 2005, when Chris and Ellie were replanting the Ranch House Block at the Durell Vineyard. As they prepared the soil for a new Chardonnay planting, they unearthed several old, rusted horseshoes left behind from the property’s earlier days as a cattle ranch and dairy farm in the 1960s and 1970s.
For lifelong equestrians, the discovery felt significant. As they learned the story of Saint Dunstan and the origin of the horseshoe tradition, everything clicked. The connection between the vineyard’s history, their passion for horses, and the symbolism of the horseshoe connected it all.
Naming their new winery Dunstan became an easy choice – a tribute to Saint Dunstan and the enduring story of protection, craftsmanship, and good fortune.
Ellie was so inspired by the story that she later named her first adopted wild Mustang “Dunstan” – and Dunstan the Mustang lives at Durell today.
The horseshoe remains at the heart of Dunstan Wines. It appears on every bottle as a reminder of the legend that inspired the winery and as a symbol of the good luck, friendship, and memorable moments shared over a glass of wine.
We like to think that every bottle carries a little bit of Saint Dunstan’s good fortune with it. You’ll notice we placed the horseshoe on the capsule too – that way you can turn the horseshoe up to keep the luck in your cellar.