Savitar is one of the great Shirazes from McLaren Vale, made with grapes grown on the Lopresti Vineyard's Chinese Block, located at the south end of McLaren Vale, about four kilometres east of the coastal town of Port Willunga. The vines struggle here, producing low yields of fruit with tiny berries which are full of black fruit flavours with dried herb, black olives and an earthy structure of dark smokiness, making this a power packed wine. 

It's named after a mythological dragon like creature, in homage to this wine's bold flavours and powerful length. It's an impressive wine for now and will undoubtedly age for the long haul - think a decade at least. 

The winemaking

Grapes for Savitar Shiraz are selected by hand from the Lopresti Vineyard in McLaren Vale, a site where they struggle and deliver in small volumes. This is regarded as outstanding raw material. They are fermented and the wine pressed before being transferred to oak barrels where it remains on light lees for 18 months before blending. 

Certified organic 100% Cabernet Franc picked from 35+ year old vines at the bottom section of the Butte hillside at the northern sector of Bourgueil – the best part of Bourgeuil. Fab southerly exposure with clay and silex soil over limestone.

De-stemmed and fermented with Indigenous yeast and then aged in a mix of cement and older barrels before being bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Bouquet: Dark fruits, blackberries and plums. Notes of eucalyptus and menthol. 

Palate: Elegant and complex with ripe plums, blackcurrant and a touch of spice. Hints of clove and anise leading into fine tannins and a long, persistent finish.

Bouquet: Blackcurrant and cassis layered with notes of subtle pepper and spice. 

Palate: Generous and sweet blackcurrant followed by layers of cedar oak and dried bay leaf. Elegant and textured tannins are balanced with natural acidity leaving a firm, persistent finish.

From the winemakers...

Our Chardonnay comes from an old hillside vineyard in the Southern Valleys region of Marlborough, where clay based loess soils prevail. Larger old barrels have predominantly been used to naturally ferment the wine. Untouched and aged over 14 months, without anything more than a peek in the barrel from time to time, has enhanced the elegance of this wine. Poised, with a delicious mineral backbone this chardonnay has tension, and genorosity at the same time, with a whiff of that classic struck match note that cool climate chardonnay can produce so well.

Suitable for Vegans.

Grape varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Franc

Tasting notes:

Deep red colour with ruby highlights. Expressive nose full of red berry aromas (strawberry, raspberry) as well as cocoa notes when agitated. Harmonious, with ripe fruit flavours (blackberry jam) and rich in soft tannins. Long and smooth finish.

Winemaking: Traditional winemaking methods with a minimum of 6 months of ageing in French and American oak barrels. De-stalked grapes – Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in vats. Regular rackings (every 3 months) and fining before bottling.

Soil: Limestone covered by clay, sand or gravel.

Climate: Oceanic, mild and humid.

Aging: 6 months of ageing in American oak barrels (of which 50% new)

Food matches: Duck breast “Vigneronne”, medallion of Monkfish in a St Emilion sauce.

Grape varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasting notes:

Deep ruby red colour with violet highlights. Fruit driven with aromas of black cherry and blueberry. Delicate notes of mint, black pepper and liquorice appear when agitated. Good texture on the palate with ripe tannins. Long finish. Full, fresh, dense and silky mouthfeel.

Food matches: Tuna in red wine sauce, steak “Bordelaise” grilled on vine stalks, Pyreneens cheese with dark cherry marmalade; Serve between 16° and 18° C.

Winemaking: Traditional winemaking methods with a minimum of 6 months of ageing in French oak barrels. De-stalked grapes – alcoholic fermentation in vats at high temperature (30-32°C) with daily pumping over – maceration (3 weeks) – malolactic fermentation in vats.

Soil: Sandy and gravelly.
Climate: Oceanic, mild and humid.
Aging: The wine is aged in French oak barrels for 6 months.

Intense purple red color. Intense nose of flowers (violet) and black fruits (black cherry, blackcurrant) combined with peppery hints. Full on the palate with a nice fruity and spicy aftertaste.

55% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre grown in the Côtes du Rhône apellation in cobblestone-clay and clay-limestone soils.

Grapes were destemmed with daily racking. Wine aged on fine lees in vats with controlled oxygen levels.

Food Pairing: Spicy food, red meat in sauce, cheese.

"Richly fruited and instantly appealing, the wine shows dark plum, cherry, warm spice and roasted nut aromas, followed by a generously expressed palate that's succulent and silky. It's soothing and comforting with loads of tasty flavours. At its best: now to 2028" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Feb 2024

“This wine is a time capsule for the last harvest of Riesling off its site and I was happy to capture its electricity in a bottle. There’s something about the way Waitaki tastes in Riesling that is pure magic! Limestone expressing itself in the form of crackling acidity and chalk, you can taste the shape of the soil through the wine, it becomes so physical. This place may be small but she is mighty and every part of the region has Riesling gold to mine and create what I believe is the best Riesling outside of Germany. The name “Amplitude” came to Ian when I was describing how I feel this magnetic pull every time I get close to the Waitaki, followed by this electric current running through me. The feeling is so similar to how the wines taste, it’s crazy. Ian works at the beautiful old Kurow Power Station and so “Amplitude” seemed fitting.” – Sierra Reed

Tasting Note: Jasmine, lime zest, oyster shell, grass, tinned pineapple, and chalkiness create the bones of the wine. Whilst a sharp line of acid brings tension and focus and the residual sugar creates the movement and shape. The interplay between acid, RS and phenolics is key in Riesling and there is a balance that must be achieved to weave them seamlessly so they move together with a oneness. The beauty of this wine is the purity it expressed from juice through to ferment, it’s crystalline.

Winemaking Notes: Foothill Groves Vineyard, growers Ian and Helen Dent. Wild yeast, 30 g/l residual sugar, TA 12.03. 700 litres total production.

Alcohol: 10.4%

Variety: Riesling

Region: Waitaki Valley, North Otago, New Zealand

Tasting Note: 100% Dolcetto from 30 year old vines. Ruby red colour, full and intense nose with florals and lifted red berries. Acidity gives definition, and the wine is appealingly fresh on the palate.

Alcohol: 13.5%

Variety: Dolcetto

Region: Diano d’Alba, Piedmont, Italy

Aromas and flavours of green apple and lemon peel, honey suckle and butterscotch. The palate is rich yet refreshing and the mouthfeel is delicate yet persistent.

Meticulously crafted in exceptionally limited quantities, this is the second release of Whitehaven's 'Samantha' Cuvée, a wine which celebrates Greg and Sue’s daughter Samantha, as she continues the legacy that her parents created together.

This elegant Méthode Traditionnelle is sustainably produced, from 100% Marlborough Chardonnay and Pinot Noir fruit (Chardonnay dominant) and is produced in accordance with Méthode Traditionnelle practices. Enjoy crisp, dry, delicate flavours balanced with lees age derived complexity, finishing fine, clean and long.

Produced in very limited quantities, this is the perfect bubbles to share with friends or to celebrate a special occasion. 

This Pinot Gris is characterised by ripe stone fruit, particularly white peach and nectarine notes, with hints of floral and ginger spice characters. The mouth feel is very textural – dry and weighty with fleshy stone fruit and fine textured tannins that give a long balanced profile. A serious style of Pinot Gris to be enjoyed now or cellared for up to 5 years.