We set out to make a wine that Australia could be proud of. Something so pure in quality that possesses such craft & style that it would become an Australian icon. To make this wine Dad and I grew 10’s of 1000’s of grapes and made over 400 barrels of Shiraz – all but 5 were rejected
We did not release this wine until we knew we had a vintage that was exceptional
Every winery needs an attention seeking, exaggerated, overly emotional, dramatic, diva. Sometimes it’s the winemaker, sometimes the boss, or sometimes a family member! Fortunately not here, so we had to create one.
Blonde, pretty, and a thief! Goldilocks Moscato steals attention wherever we pour her. Some might say it's all too much, but we think this one's just right.
Knock, Knock. Who's there? Chardonnay. Chardonnay who? You know me. I'm THE classic white grape variety and I'm back with renewed popularity.
Vegan friendly
It’s a little cheeky to be a McLaren Vale company releasing an Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc – but we’re definitely more of a tourist than an intruder. Our approach is to always chase flavour and this site was so good in 2021 we just went with it.
Vegan friendly
We like our rosé fresh and lively - which is why it’s based on Sangiovese... famed for its crisp acidity and bright aromas and flavours.
Vegan friendly
Sangiovese is enigmatic to the point of being problematic. It will not be pushed in a direction that it doesn’t want to go. We got a whole lot better at working with it when we realised that what we want matters very little to this grape. Sangiovese is unlike any other wine we make and while it has taken time to find a way to make it really express itself, I think now our Mongrel is living its best life.
2023 Halliday Wine Companion - 93 points
Vegan friendly
There were moves against this Merlot – some people would happily rip this grand Dame out by the roots and plant more Shiraz. If I had only ever tasted the big company Merlots I might have been there with a shovel myself, but this is something different. Every reason to plant and care for Merlot is right here in this glass and the argument to do so is compelling.
Vegan friendly
Lazing around on the vine it's always the last to harvest; no variety mooches more than our Mourvèdre. Luckily this loafer is no slouch in flavour and always worth the wait.
Vegan friendly
Hugh's was given the nickname 'Rascal' by his father Burt - and it's stuck!
“Shiraz and McLaren Vale”. A famous pairing. Shiraz in McLaren Vale grows well, always ripens, and with correct vineyard management, produces wines of great depth, flavour and structure.
Vegan friendly
What better to call a wine crafted entirely from a vineyard named for Black Sheep? A true Larrikin and an Australian classic, Cabernet Shiraz.
Vegan friendly
Renowned as one of the world’s great red grapes, Cabernet arguably finds its greatest expression in the maritime climate of Bordeaux. McLaren Vale is warmer and drier, but shares those maritime conditions.
Ripe capsicum, brambles, and rose petals. Maple and fennel. Petrichor. Sweet fruit balanced with impeccable texture.
We bet you're wondering what petrichor means, Petrichor is the earthy scent produced when rain falls on dry soil.
Vegan friendly
The Muscat grape has a unique flavour that once tried is never forgotten. It is probably the only grape that produces wine with the same aroma as the grape itself. Sweet Muscats have the flavours of raisins and oranges.
Vegan friendly
Evocative and elegant, a Pagoda is a multi-tiered tower, often with a high degree of ornamentation. Our Aroma Pagoda is much the same – layers of exotic aromatics, structured yet elegant, a temple to flavour.
63% Riesling
19% Pinot Gris
18% Gewürztraminer
Vegan friendly
We wondered "What would happen if we treated a white wine like a red and left it to ferment on skins?" While we weren't certain this would make it into bottle it seemed like fun nonetheless; but beyond just seeming fun this wine proved itself worthy of sharing. A beauty more than skin deep.
43% Frontignac
33% Chardonnay
24% Viognier
In the Squeezebox Trick a person is placed in a special box with only their head and feet visible. Magically, as the box is squeezed, their head moves impossibly close to their feet. There is certainly something of an impossible feat to this wine – and definitely a type of magic.
60% Tempranillo
30% Carignan
10% Fumé Blanc
Vegan Friendly
We definitely didn’t blend by mistake but were certainly surprised how with well it all worked. Seven years in and we know what the Agent looks like – if not always what grapes will be needed to create it.
67% Grenache
17% Gewurztraminer
9% Frontignac
5% Touriga
1% Viognier
1% Chardonnay
Shhhh, I know how this looks, but it isn’t an accident and that’s all I’m going to say on the matter. Sometimes strange things just work – like the wild combo of peanut butter, banana, and bacon that makes the Elvis Sandwich. Unexpected certainly but proven fit for a king.
40% Malbec
20% Viognier
14% Mataro
11% Pinot Gris
8% Grenache
7% Sauvignon Blanc
Vegan friendly