Cookoothama is made from estate-grown fruit from the family's vineyards in the King Valley and Darlington Point. Cookoothama 'cooka-a-tharma' is the name of the family's vineyard at Darlington Point on the Murrumbidgee River and is the Aboriginal word meaning 'fertile land'. The two hands on the label represent the people who have lived and cultivated the land spread along the banks of the Murrumbidgee River transforming it into the prosperous land it is today.

Born and raised in Griffith, Australia, Daren Owers joined Nugan Estate in 1996 after completing a Diploma of Applied Science (Food Technology) at the University of Western Sydney. He later studied Wine Science through Charles Sturt University while training as Assistant Winemaker before being appointed Chief Winemaker in 2003. Daren has played a key role in shaping Nugan Estates winemaking style, producing approachable, fruit-driven wines that showcase the quality of the estates vineyards across Australia. He was awarded The Wine Society Members Choice Young Winemaker of the Year early in his career.