McLaren Vale winemakers recognised as finalists in the 2023 Young Gun of Wine Awards!
Though McLaren Vale has an established and steadfast winemaking history that dates back to the late 1830s, there is also a consistent stream of innovative winemakers bringing exciting new ideas to our region, so it's fitting that eight winemakers producing McLaren Vale wine are finalists in the 2023 Young Gun of Wine Awards.
The Young Gun of Wine Awards are a celebration of wine culture for a new era of wine lovers. The awards assemble a collection of the most exciting new projects and winemakers on the rise, with the 'young' referring to young wine labels. Many McLaren Vale winemakers have received the Young Gun of Wine title in the past and have gone on to great things."The thing about emerging wine producers is they’re a source of innovation, inspiration and new ideas. They’re not shackled by conventions. They’re free. Wide-eyed; adventurous; eager to travel; to experiment; to remix, they question everything. They create energy. They excite. And this is how they lead." Young Gun of Wine.
Here's a little more insight into the McLaren Vale's Young Gun Finalists:
JAMES & KIMBERLY COOTER, COOTER & COOTER AND HEDONIST WINES
James was born to be a winemaker coming from a family with more than 20 years in the Australia wine industry.
Second generation winemaker, Kimberly learnt the early years of her craft in the hands of her renowned winemaking father. Now Kimberly & James Cooter are two thirds of the winemaking team at Hedonist Wines and also head up their own label Cooter & Cooter.
cooter.com.au
hedonistwines.com.au
LAUREN LANGFIELD, ORBIS WINES
Head winemaker of Orbis Wines, Lauren Langfield's winemaking philosophy is to let the fruit guide her winemaking style, creating wines that speak of place and variety. Lauren's experience working in leading Australian and International Organic and Biodynamic vineyards guides the vineyard management decisions of Orbis which translates to high quality wine that requires very little manipulation.
CHARLIE SEPPELT & SKYE SALTER, PARALIAN
Having both lead diverse winemaking careers and after a collective 46 vintages all over the world, in 2018 Charlie and Skye put down their roots in McLaren Vale and launched their own wine label Paralian."Site and vintage expression are the fundamentals of our winemaking style. We work closely with our growers to ensure quality and ideal ripeness is met with balance and varietal expression in mind. The big reason behind us wanting to start Paralian was to work with the vineyards we had fallen in love with and wanted to see made into a single vineyard wines. It has been really special to do this and being selected as a YGOW finalists makes us really proud - I think everyone needs to hear once in a while that they are on the right track and sharing news like this with our growers is a very cool thing." Skye Salter, Winemaker Paralian
ASHLEIGH SEYMOUR, PAXTON WINES
Having spent more than a decade working in Italy, Ashleigh Seymour now has three vintages under her belt at biodynamic pioneer Paxton. Ashleigh is fast making a big impression in McLaren Vale Wine Region having recently been awarded the 2023 Wayne Thomas Scholarship by McLaren Vale Grape Wine & Tourism Association and now as a finalist in the 2023 Young Gun of Wine Awards.
BEN CALDWELL AND MAURICIO RUIZ CANTU, SOMOS WINES
Ben Caldwell and Mauricio Ruiz Cantu have been making wine together since 2013. Their wine brand Somos focuses on minimal intervention, single vineyard and small ferments to produce fun, energetic and unique wines. Stay tuned for their new cellar door opening soon in McLaren Vale.
"We feel quite honored to be part of the YGOW's top 50! Particularly because we are in such good company, a ton of producers we love and respect on the list, and we're chuffed to be in there with them." Mauricio Ruiz, Somos.
ALAN VARNEY, VARNEY WINES
It all started as a 'tonne for fun'. After years working for respected wineries in both Australia and overseas, winemaker Alan Varney turned his focus to creating his own unique wines, unveiling Varney Wines in 2019."It’s really humbling to be in such amazing company. The YGOWA is so special because it looks at a winery in a very holistic sense. The wines have to be great of course but it is also all about the story behind the label and the special people in the industry. It’s so rewarding to see that our story and our wines have struck a chord." Alan Varney, Winemaker Varney Wines.
LOUIS SCHOFIELD, WORLDS APART WINES
Louis launched Worlds Apart Wines in 2017 after more that a decade working in fine wine retail and some of the world's best restaurants, with the simple goal to make wine thoughtfully that is also delicious. Trained under Taras Ochota in the near by Adelaide Hills, Louis uses minimal sulphur doses as the only additive to make wines that are pure, vibrant and that speak of place and variety.
"We make beautiful wine from from beautiful vineyards in the Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale" Louis Schofield, Winemaker, Worlds Apart Wines.
RILEY HARRISON, HARRISON WINE
Seeking a creative outlet and to defy the constraints of the nine-five, in 2015 Riley Harrison began his own winemaking project with one humble tonne of Grenache. Riley's winemaking style weaves between the lines of conventional and minimal-intervention but always pursues perfume, texture and drinkability.
TRY THEIR WINE FOR YOURSELF
For a strictly limited time you can purchase a mixed 10 pack of wine including wines from each of these Young Gun finalists:
Young Gun of Wine 2023 Exclusive McLaren Vale Mixed 10 Pack
Order yours before it's too late, only available until Friday 26th May 2023!
CAST YOUR VOTE:
younggunofwine.com/the-awards/winemaker-awards/2023-winemaker-awards/
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