South Australia Archives - Young Gun of Wine

Ashton Hills, Adelaide Hills

Founded in 1982 by Stephen George, Ashton Hills is a beacon of viticultural excellence nestled within the officially recognized Piccadilly Valley subregion of the Adelaide Hills. Under the stewardship of Wirra Wirra Vineyards, with the viticultural expertise of Anton Groffen and vineyard management by Jose Neves, Ashton Hills passionately focuses on a meticulously curated selection of pinot noir clones. This 3-hectare estate, lauded for its high-altitude positioning, crafts wines that embody the essence of the Piccadilly Valley’s cool climate. The offerings, including Ashton Hills Reserve, Ashton Hills Estate, and Ashton Hills Riesling, are distinguished by their precision, elegance, and a vivid expression of terroir. Ashton Hills underscores its significance through a relentless pursuit of clonal perfection, a minimal intervention philosophy, and a deep respect for the unique cool climate conditions of its subregion, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of Australian cool climate viticulture.

Cape Jaffa Vineyard, Mount Benson

Growing on the terra rossa and limestone soils of Mount Benson, with temperatures moderated by the cool salty winds of the Great Southern Ocean, Cape Jaffa Wines has – since its inception in 1993 – been a pioneering beacon for biodynamic practices in the region (officially certified biodynamic since 2005). Led by head grower Hamish Stevenson since 2019, Cape Jaffa Wines continues to innovate and lead in biodynamics for Mount Benson, resulting in ever more characterful grapes and an evolving mix of both classic and experimental wines ‘grown’ from the vineyard. All of this while its commitment to sustainability extends to broader initiatives with a holistic approach to farming.

Castine-Morella Vineyard, Clare Valley

In Clare Valley’s subregion of Watervale, the Castine’s began planting grapevines in 1996 on their property which they had farmed for four generations. 37-hectares of vines are now spread across two distinct blocks on the vineyard, consisting of riesling, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, and grenache. Today, the site is managed by Ben Castine and his wife Jess Smythe-Castine, with a firm focus on land ecology and fruit quality. An impressive lineup of top labels are benefactors of the Castine-Morella Vineyard fruit, such as Wines by KT, Vickery, O’Leary Walker, Tim Gramp, Dorien Estate Winery, Taylors, and Kenny Wines.

Koomilya Vineyard, McLaren Vale

Planted circa 1960s, and purchased in 2012 by Fiona and Stephen Pannell, the Koomilya vineyard combines McLaren Vale’s wine heritage with a forward thinking approach to the identity of Australian wine through the lens of ‘alternative’ climate-apt varieties. The site includes two rows of mataro that are around 100 years old, as well as some old-vine shiraz and cabernet sauvignon propagated in the 1960s from McLaren Vale’s original 1840s vines. Malbec, touriga nacional, tempranillo and grenache make up the rest of the vineyard, where the average vine age is around 25 years. Large work to replace invasive plants with native trees, coupled with further regenerative agriculture, has been taken to restore the land. The 12 hectares under vine are nestled amongst two native scrublands – preserving the endangered Grey Box Grassy Woodlands – and creek lines which define the unique setting of this 35 hectare property.

Paxton Wines – Thomas Block Vineyard, McLaren Vale

The Thomas Block is the jewel in the crown for Paxton Wines, who have around half a dozen vineyards throughout McLaren Vale. The first vineyard purchased by David Paxton in 1978, this 26-hectare certified biodynamic vineyard boasts a treasure of old vine shiraz planted in 1887 – the oldest shiraz vines in McLaren Vale. Further plantings since 1979 give it a grape variety mix that also includes grenache, chardonnay, pinot gris, cabernet, graciano, mataro, tempranillo and fiano, going into Paxton Wines. The flagship Paxton wine, the EJ Shiraz, named after David Paxton’s mother and family matriarch Elizabeth Jean, comes exclusively from the Thomas Block.

Stonegarden Vineyard, Eden Valley

Located in the Eden Valley’s southeastern corner, a stone’s throw from Springton, Stonegarden Vineyard is a historic gem first planted from 1858. Under Glen Monaghan’s stewardship since 2015, this 20-hectare vineyard nurtures a diverse array of varieties including grenache, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, riesling, muscat, mataro, and more, without herbicides, embodying a minimalist viticulture ethos. Stonegarden’s vines, over 165 years old, contribute to an impressive roll call of wines. Labels such as Stonegarden Wines, Chateau Tanunda, John Duval, Kellermeister, Head Wines, Eperosa, and Brothers At War showcase the vineyard’s grenache, with prices ranging from $65 to $500, underscoring the exceptional quality derived from this historic site.

Yalumba – The Tri-Centenary Vineyard, Barossa Valley

The hero of the ‘The Tri-Centenary Vineyard’ is 1.12 hectares of 820 gnarly bush vines of grenache. Planted in 1889, the oldest vines are 135 years of age, and with further plantings in 2003 and 2016 across the 18-hectares, the average vine age is over 50 years, with around 15-hectares comprising of grenache, and a further speckling of shiraz and grenache blanc vines. Cuttings from these vines support Yalumba Nursery’s propagation of select vine material. The vineyard features deep, sandy loam layers underlain with red-brown clay. With careful management, dry grown vines on these soils can consistently produce outstanding quality fruit. A handful of wines are made from this vineyard, the most esteemed of which is the ‘Yalumba Tri-Centenary Grenache’.

Yangarra – High Sands Vineyard, McLaren Vale

The beating heart of the lauded Yangarra Estate Vineyard is the collection of bush vine grenache that was planted a year after the cessation of hostilities in World War II. That vineyard accounts for over a quarter of the old vine grenache in McLaren Vale. It’s not that long ago that this might have been seen as a liability, but with the grape’s star truly on the rise, it represents one of the most precious resources in the Vale. And that growing consumer appreciation for the grape has been heavily influenced by the wines made by Pete Fraser from fruit farmed by Michael Lane, with over a decade and a half of biodynamic management and deep focus on regenerative agriculture and sustainability. The High Sands Vineyard is a 1.7-hectare section on deep sands at the highest elevation, which produces exceptional and distinct fruit that goes to make Yangarra’s flagship ‘High Sands’ bottling.

Ashton Hills, Adelaide Hills Anton Groffen and Jose Neves