$42.00 / bottle
$428.40 / case (12)
Sourced from two McLaren Vale sites – the first, a 51-year-old vineyard in Whites Valley (37%), where vines grow in shallow loam over clay, offering depth and gravitas. The second, from Blewitt Springs (63%), defined by its deep sandy soils brings finesse and aromatic lift.
The lead up to the 2024 vintage progressed with distinct weather changes and challenges. The growing season began with dry spells and cool nights contrasted by warm days. Spring brought strong winds during flowering, impacting crop levels. Significant summer rains arrived in December and January, leading to a notably dry vintage. A heatwave in March, with four consecutive days above 37 degrees Celsius, added further intensity to the season. Despite these trials, the lighter crop ultimately allowed us to carefully manage our fruit intake, proving to be a blessing in disguise.
Two vineyards on opposite sides of the valley were harvested just over two weeks apart. The first, featuring old vines in Whites Valley to the southwest of McLaren Vale, ripened earlier and was hand-picked on 15th March. This site contributes approximately 37% of the final blend. A portion of the fruit (around 10% of the overall blend) was fermented as whole bunches. Fermentation took place in open fermenters with indigenous yeast, and gentle pump-overs were carried out twice daily. Temperatures remained relatively cool until the final stages of fermentation.
The second parcel, from Blewitt Springs at the easternmost edge of the McLaren Vale district, was handpicked on 2nd April. This fruit was also fermented in open fermenters with indigenous yeast. Both parcels were gently pressed, with malolactic fermentation conducted in stainless steel tanks. The wine was then matured in large-format, two-year-old French oak foudres. Final blending and filtration took place just prior to bottling.
- COLOUR
-
Bright cherry red with purple hues
- BOUQUET
-
Vibrant red fruits, predominantly raspberries and cherries, interlaced with a subtle thread of dark chocolate and lifted floral notes.
- PALATE
-
Elegant and refined in structure, revealing vivid sour cherry acidity that threads through the palate. Seamlessly integrated powdery tannins provide gentle grip and balance, leading to a persistent finish.
- VARIETY
- Grenache 100%
- OAK TREATMENT
- 100% two-year-old French oak foudre for 12 months
- ANALYSIS
- 14% vol, pH: 3.44, TA: 6.0g/L, GF: 0.25g/L
2024 Hedonist Grenache
- Silver Medal - 93 points - 2025 Royal Adelaide Wine Show
- Silver Medal - 91 points - 2025 McLaren Vale Wine Show & James Halliday Grenache Challenge
- 92 points - Wine Companion (www.winecompanion.com.au), Marcus Ellis, 2 December 2025
From Whites Valley (37%) and Blewitt Springs, all native yeasts, with 10% whole bunches in the Whites Valley portion; maturation in two-year-old French oak foudre. This is a medium-weighted and bright-fruited iteration, leaning into red fruits dusted with a little white-peppery spice. Cherry, redcurrant, macerated strawberries, rosehip and raspberry leaf tea, some red-themed candy. Tannins are fine and aptly chiselled for the table.
2022 Hedonist Grenache
- Gold Medal - 95 points - 2025 McLaren Vale Wine Show & James Halliday Grenache Challenge
- 95 points - Wine Companion (www.winecompanion.com.au), Marcus Ellis, 26 February 2024
About 15% whole bunches, the rest whole berries; native ferment then maturated in third-use foudre for 10 months. Part of the thrill of the new grenache wave is diversity. And though this is from an ‘iconic certified organic and biodynamic vineyard in Kangarilla’, it feels individual, informed by the picking and subtle crafting decisions of this address. Floral and lifted, red fruited but somewhat moody, with darker notes, spice and a little graphite. Absent of sweetness, virtuously taut and sinewy, but with a certain succulence of fruit, too. Mid-weight, refined and savoury, this is delicious.
2020 Hedonist Grenache
- Gold Medal - 95 points - 2021 McLaren Vale Wine Show & James Halliday Grenache Challenge
2018 Hedonist Grenache
- Trophy Winner - Best Grenache 2 years old or older - 2020 McLaren Vale Wine Show
- Gold Medal - 2019 Australian International Wine Show
- 90 points - www.therealreview.com, Huon Hooke, 31 Jan 2020
Medium to deep red/purple colour. Fresh earth and brown spice aromas; the tannins are tight and firm and drying, the wine is medium to full-bodied and well-structured. Dried herbs. Firm finish. A keeper, and it has drinkability. (grapes certified biodynamic)
