Spinifex Winery
Peter Schell created Spinifex in 2001 when the opportunity arose to source some great old vine Mataro growing in deep white drift-sand on the Barossa Valleys’ Western Ridge. He focuses on making regional wines from the traditional Mediterranean grape varieties that have been grown successfully in Australia for over 150 years - Shiraz, Mataro, Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan, Ugni Blanc, Grenache Gris, Marsanne and Semillon. Peter’s wife, Magali is French and from a family of vignerons based near Lunel in the Languedoc. As a result, Peter has been to France for several vintages in the past decade, taking in Bordeaux, Burgundy and the Languedoc. French winemaking philosophy has left its mark on Peter and his aim is to make wines that display signatures of vineyard provenance and vintage, show regional typicity and have a consistent thread of 'house style' that reflects his preferences and experiences with wine. The wines are predominantly blends and all have great harmony, density and delineation, giving generous and honest expressions of their Barossa Valley provenance, but each vintage the style evolves a little further as the quest for greater finesse continues. Pete was finalist in the 2009 Winemaker of the Year competition for the Australian Gourmet Traveller magazine and Spinifex also won the 2009 Penguin Award for Australian Winery of the Year. James Halliday simply says, “Spinifex out Torbrecks Torbreck.” We are expecting shipment of the new wines and vintages for arrival in late spring.
Producer’s Website: http://www.spinifexwines.com.au (opens in new window)
Currently available:
2007 Papillon
2006 Esprit
"Layered and intense blackberry, liquorice bouquet. Big, rich and spicy with plenty of fruit, a smooth texture and firm backbone. A powerhouse of a wine. Drink 2011-17. (16.5 points)" Decanter, Australian Rhone varietals panel tasting
New in stock:
2010 Lola
2008 Bete Noir
2008 La Maline
2008 Esprit
2008 Taureau
2008 Papillon