Willunga 100

Willunga 100 is McLaren Vale Grenache at its most dialled-in and distinctive. Founded in 2004 by industry heavyweights David Gleave MW and John Ratcliffe, the project was ahead of the curve - backing bush-vine Grenache long before it became the darling of sommeliers and serious collectors alike. Two decades later, their vision has borne fruit in spectacular fashion.

From the ancient sands of Blewitt Springs to the cooler contours of Clarendon, Willunga 100 zeroes in on site-specific expression. Their focus is sharp: contemporary McLaren Vale Grenache, pure and uncluttered. The wines are built around nuance, not noise - sourced from old, dry-grown bush vines on some of the region’s most pedigreed sites.

Winemaker Renae Hirsch, a McLaren Vale specialist crowned Bushing Monarch in 2020, steers the ship with a steady hand. Her approach is low-intervention but technically precise: no heavy-handed winemaking, just gentle guidance to allow each vineyard to speak. She crafts wines with clarity and finesse, keeping freshness and detail at the forefront.

The Single Vineyard releases - particularly from the Trott and Smart vineyards - are flag-bearers for modern Aussie Grenache: transparent, textural, and expressive of their sub-regional DNA. Meanwhile, the Estate wines, including the Blind Spot Grenache, channel the Vale’s sun-drenched generosity with elegant restraint.

Willunga 100 takes its name from the original ‘Hundred’ of Willunga, established in 1839. Today, that same land delivers fruit of serious calibre, with some vines well past their 80th birthday. With soils dating back over 500 million years, a Mediterranean climate, and a laser focus on Grenache, this is terroir-driven winemaking with real purpose.

This is a producer that treats Grenache with the respect it deserves - leaning into its savoury side, its herbal lift, its effortless charm. Whether you’re chasing a layered single-vineyard expression or an easy-going bottle for mid-week sophistication, Willunga 100 delivers the goods.