- SIZE:
- 75cl
Named after grower Gary Whaite, this vineyard is carved into a tough, beautiful patch of land in Blewitt Springs. The soils here are a wild mix of ironstone conglomerate, sand, and gravel layered over mottled orange and yellow clay. Sitting at 200 metres above sea level, the site enjoys cool breezes and gentle north-facing slopes above the Onkaparinga Gorge. The vines are dry grown, digging deep for water and flavour.
When Gary first planted Grenache here, he used a sledgehammer and pick to break through the stubborn ironstone. That moment is captured on the wine’s label, which features a fragment of the broken rock, its surface catching the light like a slice of the night sky. Subtly embossed, you’ll find an image of Gary himself, hammer in hand, looking into both the stone and the stars.
This is an energetic but graceful expression of Grenache. On the nose, you’ll find savoury herbal notes of thyme and sage. The palate is bright and generous, with juicy red cherry fruit and a touch of pepper spice. Velvety tannins carry it through to a long, fresh finish.
Mark Bulman is a first-generation winemaker with roots in Australia but experience that spans cool-climate vineyards from New Zealand to Germany. In 2009, he returned home to the Barossa Valley, bringing with him a deep passion for Grenache, long before it became the grape of the moment.
A trip to Gigondas in the Southern Rhône was a turning point. The trip came as a prize after Mark won the prestigious Jimmy Watson Trophy in 2017 and showed him a bolder side of Grenache; powerful, rich, and high in alcohol. But instead of following suit, Mark saw an opportunity to take Grenache in a different direction: fresher, more refined, and full of nuance. That vision has shaped his approach ever since.
His wines are all about precision and elegance, with layer upon layer of flavour while still letting Grenache's pure, aromatic character shine through.
We’ve just added two of Mark’s stunning single-site expressions to our collection—each named after the grower behind the fruit.
Gary’s Vineyard sits in Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale, and turns out a spicy, herbal Grenache with wild notes of sage and ginger. Glen’s Vineyard, established way back in 1857, lies in the cooler Springton area of Eden Valley. This one’s taut and focused, with zesty hints of blood orange, rhubarb and white pepper.
In the cellar, Mark keeps things gentle and thoughtful: minimal oxygen exposure to preserve freshness, long maceration for texture, and ageing in sandstone amphora to let the sites speak for themselves.
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