This is probably my favourite vineyard in McLaren Vale.
Steve Pannell, Owner/winemaker
About The Wine
Steve Pannell has been a leading figure in the rejuvenation and reinvention of Grenache in McLaren Vale over the last 20 years. Here we see the next step in his constant pursuit of perfection for the variety.
This year he releases two single vineyard Grenaches from McLaren Vale. This, the Old McDonald vineyard is 75 years old in the Grenache epicentre of the region, Blewitt Springs.
This was fermented in small batches with 20% whole bunches, pressed gently after 11 days on skins and then sent to a eight-year-old 4500L oak vat to mature.
It's the detail and drive in this wine that is so startling.
As Gary Walsh said in his 96 point review, "Flat out beautiful. Succulence with a serious nature. Bravo."
About S.C. Pannell
Quite simply, Stephen Pannell is one of Australia’s finest and most imaginative winemakers. He’s a Jimmy Watson Trophy winner, a McLaren Vale Bushing King winner, a two-time Max Schubert Trophy winner, International Red Winemaker of the Year and Decanter Magazine’s 50 Most Influential Contributors to the World of Wine. Nick Stock described him as potentially “one of the greatest Australian winemakers ever to make wines in our age”.
Steve’s wines are made with modern Australian food and wine culture at the front of mind. The wines come from a range of stunning McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills vineyards, and are made from sustainable varieties that properly suit his South Australian climate. They're built around brightness of fruit and savoury tannin structure, and whatever your poison is Steve has you covered!
He is truly one of the most forward thinking and inspirational Australian winemakers alive today.

McLaren Vale, SA