MMAD
As if Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith MW of Shaw + Smith and Tolpuddle weren't busy enough already. Their newest venture has seen them team up with their chief winemaker Adam Wadewitz and wine industry professional David LeMire MW to create MMAD Vineyard, based in McLaren Vale.
MMAD Vineyard represents a union of expertise and passion in the wine industry. This partnership, rooted in the success of Shaw + Smith winery in the Adelaide Hills, expands to include other projects like Tolpuddle Vineyard in Tasmania.
Located in Blewitt Springs, the vineyard boasts fine Maslin sands and elevated terrain, granting its wines a distinctive aromatic character. Beneath the sand lies a layer of precious ironstone, contributing structure and complexity to the wines. The vineyard's old Grenache, Shiraz, and Chenin Blanc vines, some dating back to 1939, are a testament to its rich viticultural history.
Embracing a philosophy of sustainable viticulture, the partners prioritize soil and vine health, fostering diversity within the ecosystem. With reverence for the vineyard's longevity, they aim to nurture it for future generations, recognizing it as both a legacy and a responsibility.
MMAD is one of the 'must-watch' projects in McLaren Vale. With the combination of an exceptional site and the depth of talent behind it, it's sure to produce some of the region's most exciting wines over the coming years.
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"MMAD is new but the vineyard is not. This Blewitt Springs vineyard (McLaren Vale) was first planted in 1939 (grenache) with shiraz added in 1941 and then chenin blanc in the 1960s. There’s only been one release (of each wine) so far but there are no tentative first steps in sight; every wine comes fully realised, as a gleaming gem in its own right. If you see the name MMAD on a wine bottle, proceed with confidence, it’s good. That’s why MMAD is here."
- Campbell Mattinson (Halliday Top 100 Wineries of 2023)
