Grenache: Rediscovering an Australian icon in Barossa and McLaren Vale

Join us for an opportunity to (re)discover one of Australia’s most iconic grapes from two world-class regions: Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. Grenache was one of the first grapes to be introduced in Australia, and Barossa and McLaren Vale were amongst the first sites planted, with many still productive vines dating back to 1850. Originally, Grenache’s role was a workhorse grape, used in blends mainly for fortified wines. But with time, it has come to be recognised as a hugely characterful and highly prized grape in its own right. One region an hour north of Adelaide, the other 45 mins drive south, both regions boast a Mediterranean climate with a rich tapestry of different soils. Barossa is the warmer of the two, given the McLaren Vale’s coastal position, but both are globally recognised as two of the finest producers of Grenache in the world. Discover the nuanced expressions of one of Australia’s first grapes with a show-stopping look at these two ancestral Grenache regions side-by-side, hosted by Sarah Ahmed and Mark Pygott MW.