McLaren Vale Is Producing Some of Australia’s Most Exciting Wines
McLaren Vale is South Australia’s oldest winegrowing region, steeped in history and dotted with gnarled old vines. Established as a winemaking region in1983—which beats the Barossa Valley to the north by a few years!—the area was originally settled by English immigrants (as opposed to the heavy German influence of the Barossa). These early residents planted Shiraz vines, labelling the first wines produced from the region as “claret,” mirroring the English nomenclature for Bordeaux.
Located about 45 minutes south of Adelaide, this storied wine region begins where the outer edges of the city’s suburbs gradually transition into golden, rolling hills dotted with scrub. The climate here is firmly Mediterranean, with warm dry summers and cool, rainy winters providing most of the annual precipitation. The Gulf of St. Vincent to the west lends a gentle cooling influence, and disease pressure is low during growing season, making organic viticulture a somewhat stress-free decision. In fact, the region—like the entirety of South Australia—has remained phylloxera-free, allowing old, ungrafted vines to not only survive but also thrive.
Today, McLaren Vale is a fascinating study in the convergence of historic and modern winemaking. Driving through the backroads of McLaren Vale, historic sandstone cottages and stone wineries are interspersed with more modern wineries, often with innovative architecture and cutting-edge technology.
Shiraz remains the appellation’s top variety, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the region exploded onto the world scene with a plethora of big scores for big wines. These wines were typically full-bodied and bold, with firm tannins, high alcohol, and ripe fruit notes dominating. In recent years, however, like many other wine regions in the New World, there has been an emergence of wineries changing the conversation. While heavy amounts of new American oak used to dominate, more common now is a smaller amount of French oak, or often no new oak at all. Many producers are picking earlier, aiming for a fresher, more aromatic profile.
Today, McLaren Vale boasts a range of styles, ranging from full-bodied and concentrated to leaner and more aromatic. Shiraz and Grenache still dominate but other interesting varieties are emerging. Two of our direct import partners from the Vale—Coriole and Ministry of Clouds—reflect this coexistence of new and old perfectly, showcasing how the region truly is offering something for every wine drinker.
Paul, Tim, Guy, Molly, Hugh, Ann and Mark Lloyd.
Coriole Vineyards is a family-owned winery, established in 1967 by Hugh and Molly Lloyd. Known primarily for Shiraz, including 100+ year old vines that produce Coriole’s top bottling, the Lloyd Reserve Shiraz, the family also produces wines from Italian varieties like Sangiovese, Fiano, and Montepulciano. The winery is now managed by the third generation of the Lloyd family: Duncan Lloyd as winemaker and his brother Peter as General Manager.
On the other hand, Ministry of Clouds is a new label, launched in 2012 by Bernice Ong and Julian Forwood, who previously worked on the wine business side of the industry before pivoting to production. In 2016, the pair purchased an 11-hectare vineyard in the Seaview subregion, planted primarily to Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. As the couple describes, their goal is to create “gastronomic” wines with a leaner profile that pair well with a variety of foods.
Truly, McLaren Vale is producing some of the most exciting wines in Australia today, from both well-established historic properties like Coriole, and from new and growing wineries like Ministry of Clouds, offering both a glimpse into the past and the future of the region.
2023 Coriole "Estate" Sangiovese McLaren Vale South Australia $14.99
2022 Coriole "Estate" Shiraz McLaren Vale South Australia $19.99
2022 Coriole "Estate" Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale South Australia $19.99
2023 Coriole "Estate" Grenache McLaren Vale South Australia $24.99
2021 Coriole "Lloyd Reserve" Shiraz McLaren Vale South Australia $69.99
