Clovis

Clovis is the personal project of Louis Schell, a young winemaker who basically grew up in the cellar of his family’s iconic Barossa label, Spinifex. After spending years working under his father, Pete Schell, and doing a stint in Switzerland, Louis decided it was time to put his own stamp on the region. The name is a nod to his heritage - it’s an old French derivation of "Louis" - but the wines themselves are very much about a fresh, modern perspective on South Australian fruit.

What makes Clovis so impressive right out of the gate is the sense of restraint. Instead of chasing the big, bold styles the Barossa is famous for, Louis is looking for energy and perfume. He’s got access to some incredible dirt, including the family’s own high-altitude Rostein vineyard in the Eden Valley and centenarian Grenache vines across the Barossa floor. By picking earlier than most and playing with techniques like extended skin contact for his whites, he’s making wines that feel nimble, savoury, and very, very drinkable.

The debut 2025 releases have already caused a massive stir, landing great scores and selling out almost instantly. It’s rare to see a first-timer show this much confidence and poise, but when you’ve been raised in one of the country’s best wineries, it clearly shows. 

"If you are lucky enough to track down some of these wines, you will be richly rewarded. These are exciting wines. Seek them out."
- Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)