IT was an idea that came to life, fittingly, over a couple of glasses of red.
A way to honour a late brother and raise valuable funds for an important charity - Concussion Legacy Foundation Australia.
Newcastle businessmen and well known rugby men Dave Campbell and Stephen Barretto have launched Big Dog Wine.
Campbell's older brother, Andrew, who was affectionately known as Big Dog, collapsed and died on the field playing for Knox Grammar's 1st XV almost 30 years ago.
"He was at the bottom of a ruck. They tried to revive him and couldn't do it. We later discovered that he an aneurysm," Campbell said.
"That was the 19th of July, 1997. We still don't really have all the answers."
The production of the wine is a way to honour Andrew's legacy, support grassroots rugby, and help fund much-needed concussion and CTE research, education and awareness.
Big Wine has released two Barossa Shiraz with 50 per cent of profits going to the Concussion Legacy Foundation Australia.
"I had meeting with Professor Alan Pearce, who heads up the foundation," Campbell said. "It started out of Victoria for AFL players. People were getting head knocks and not fully understanding what was going on and not getting the correct treatment plans.
"The foundation does research, there is a hotline for people that have had kids with a view of upskilling all, including doctors, footy clubs, to understand what to look for when someone's had head trauma.
"There are a number of parts to this charity."
Campbell is a former player and now president of Wanderers Rugby Club.
Barretto represented Ireland under-20s, played professionally for Leinster and is the general manager of Newcastle company Eight Recruitment and heavily involved in coaching with the Hunter Wildfires and Merewether.
"One of our close mates Nicholas Crampton has a wine company Fourth Wave Wines," Campbell said. "We were talking over a couple of glasses of red and he thought it would be a good industry for us to get into. He helped us set it up.
"We have been drinking wine for most of our life and were pretty good at that side of the business."
The image on the front of the wine is of Andrew Campbell jumping in a lineout while playing for Knox.
He went to Junction Public School and Newcastle High before heading to Sydney.
After his death, a plaque was put up at the end players' tunnel out on to Knox No.1 Oval as a tribute. It has become tradition for players to touch the plaque as they run out onto the field before each game.
"Knox contacted us about four months ago to say that the year 12 class of 2025, as a gift to the school, decided to get a mural painted of my brother," Campbell said.
"After 28 years, some of the players asked who is this person, that we are touching the wall in honour of as we go out. Let's dig a little deeper. That mural is now on the wall at the end of the player's tunnel."
Big Dog Wine is available at local retail outlets, The Prince Merewether and Artisanal Cellars or at the website bigdogwine.com.au.
Meanwhile, Hunter players have dominated selection in the NSW Country men's and women's training squads.
The men were rewarded for their victory in the Caldwell Cup final with 12 players named in a 39-man squad.
University have supplied six players - Corey Davis, Paddy Small, Sam Tufuga, Sam Zelinski, Tauloga Lalaga, Tom Laughnan. It is the first time in the Cockatoos squad for all of them.
The other Hunter players are from Merewether - Adam Danckert, Isaako Enosa, Matt Williams, Nik Sykiotis, Rory Ryan, Rhys Bray.
Hunter have 11 players in the women's team - Caoime Waldron, Brooke Walklate, Cabdice Clay, Charlotte Rienecker, Ellie Dark, Emma Rumbell, Madeline Butler, Peta Salter.
Beau McCabe is in the NSW Country Colts (under-20s) squad.
The men's and women's will have a training camp before squads are named to contest the Australia Rugby Shield in October.
All round seven premier games in Hunter Rugby have been postponed to July 4.
