Winemakers' Insight: The Essence of McLaren Vale Grenache

"McLaren Vale Grenache is a unique wine in the world. It has furious aromatics, lovely complexity and a concentration of fruit that provides great length of flavour. The fruit spectrum bends from red through to blue and sometimes dipping in to black, and when whole bunch is employed in the ferment it takes on an additional lift and structure."

~ Rob Mack, Aphelion Wine

"I love McLaren Vale Grenache because it truly captures the essence of its terroir. Grown on deep soils, it’s generous, fruit-forward, and beautifully complex. At Dandelion Vineyards, we use whole bunch fermentation and French oak to craft a balanced wine with both fruit purity and savoury depth. With age, it evolves into something truly elegant and textural."

~ Elena Brooks, Dandelion Vineyards

"Grenache really shows off the versatility of the variety and its suitability to McLaren Vale’s many varied soil types and geologies.We take fruit from 4 unique sites and produce 4 different wines; a dry, aromatic Rosé; a fresh young Nouveau style; a medium-bodied Grenache/Shiraz/Nero blend; and a structural fuller bodied style suitable for ageing.Grenache really can and does excel in our amazing region."

~ Alex Sherrah, Sherrah Wines

"I enjoy the ability of Grenache to convey where it was grown in a vivid and friendly style. Old vines, grown in the right place, picked at the right time, and made in a transparent style that faithfully translates site to bottle is something that very few regions have, and something that the Vale must work hard to protect."

~ Giles Cooke MW, Thistledown Wines

"The renaissance ‘Vale Grenache currently enjoys reminds me of the ugly duckling story. Until recently Grenache was an unloved variety whose beauty was only appreciated by true enthusiasts. Today, Grenache is celebrated for its purity, complexity, and ability to transcend the traditional and modern wine worlds. It’s a testament to the stubborn beliefs of the custodians of our old vines."

~ Alan Varney, Varney Wines

Grenache Noir (red wine Grenache) is what most people go to when thinking about Grenache, but what we’re really excited about at Maxwell is Grenache Blanc. The fourth most planted white wine in France, this variety is a relative newcomer to Australia but certainly one to seek out and try.

~ Jeremy Maxwell, Maxwell

Grenache is so well suited to the McLaren Vale region - the variety loves the warm climate; it is resilient, with beautiful natural acidity and minerality.

Old bush vines planted by previous generations produce wines with complexity, depth and elegance. Grenache can be aromatic and floral, and medium bodied yet have many layers with savouriness, tannins and vibrancy - it’s just a really nice drink!

~ Renae Hirsch, Willunga 100