Located less than an hour’s drive from Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, McLaren Vale is a beachside playground carpeted in vineyards, olive groves and almond orchards. Greek and Italian immigrants settled here decades ago, many involved in grape and olive production because the coastline reminded them of life around the Mediterranean.
The vibe of the place is very much driven by the pursuit of simple living underpinned by quality food and wine. The Mediterranean aura has inspired winemakers to make wines that are simpatico with this (think medium-bodied reds) and, most recently, the planting of varieties like aglianico, nero d’Avola, touriga, primitivo, mencia, sagrantino, vermentino and fiano.
However, the region is still best known for shiraz and that remains a staple, accounting for more than 50 percent of the vineyards. Cabernet sauvignon has long performed well here too, albeit in the shadow of shiraz. The other wine style that has long been a staple of the region is grenache. Grenache has transformed in the past decade from the little wine that could, to the most exciting wine on offer. It is now re-writing the script of the region and re-defining the story of great McLaren Vale wine.
Historically the region has been one whose heroes are brands and characters, a region of the people and culture. This has served the place well and both individuals and families have built a very lovable aura of good times and a life not taken too seriously around the Vale. But grenache is leading a new campaign that sees vineyard and terroir become the hero on different terms, driving a level of interest and commitment from growers and winemakers, as well as soaring interest and engagement from trade and consumers.
