The South Australian Wine Story

Fleurieu Zone McLaren Vale / Langhorne Creek / Currency Creek / Southern Fleurieu / Kangaroo Island An eminent viticulturist was once moved to suggest that in climatic terms the region just south of Adelaide known as the lower Fleurieu Peninsula has “arguably the best conditions in all of mainland South Australia for table wine production.” That’s a good discussion to be had over a good glass of red, but it does help explain the enormous success of the broader Fleurieu Zone in crafting premium wine. The maritime influence cannot be ignored. The Fleurieu owes its long wine history not to the German settlers who made their mark in the Barossa Valley and the Adelaide Hills, but to an equally pioneering group of Englishmen led, in particular, by John Reynell, Dr A.C. Kelly and Thomas Hardy. Reynell laid the foundations for Chateau Reynella winery in 1838, just two years after the arrival of European settlers, while barely five years later Kelly (the 12th man listed in South Australia’s medical register) began the long association with McLaren Vale that included the founding of the famous Tintara winery. Hardy subsequently bought Tintara, and his company, Thomas Hardy, became the largest of those behind a massive expansion of the area’s production of red and fortified wines in the late 19th century. McLaren Vale did not go it alone. In 1850, one Frank Potts bought 130 hectares of fertile land in the area we now know as Langhorne Creek and launched the dynasty that still runs the iconic Bleasdale winery. Langhorne Creek is the only one of the five regions within the Fleurieu Zone that does not touch the coast, but the dominating presence of Lake Alexandrina has a similar impact on its vines. The Southern Fleurieu region (which is almost completely surrounded by the waters of the Southern Ocean) also began producing wine in the late 19th century, while Currency Creek and Kangaroo Island came later, but with great vigour. There are many different soil types across the zone and also significant changes in altitude, as a largely coastal region merges with the Adelaide Hills. This is very much red wine country, with Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon the top varieties in all five regions and whites accounting for only 20-25% of production. But the whites have great quality. McLaren Vale boomed during the 1970s, and while the established companies continued to make their mark, Halliday notes that the region “quickly became the spiritual home of the small winery in Australia”. Craftsmanship and innovation are the hallmark. Point of Difference The Fleurieu is all about water. Vast expanses of sea and lake provide a significant cooling influence in an otherwise warm zone (the very definition of a maritime climate) but rainfall is low in most regions, making irrigation essential for young vines. Site selection and site/variety marriage are important. Generally the climate is similar across all five regions, but the combined impact of the sea on one side and the Mt Lofty Ranges on the other means that within individual regions, most particularly McLaren Vale, there are diverse micro-climates that provide for distinct varietal differences. Top Wines The Langton’s Classification is the definitive guide to Australia’s prestige wines. In its 2018 edition, the following Fleurieu Zone wines were rated among the best of the best. Exceptional Clarendon Hills: Astralis Syrah Outstanding d’Arenberg: The Dead Arm Shiraz Fox Creek: Reserve Shiraz Kay Brothers Amery Vineyards: Block 6 Old Vine Shiraz Noon Winery: Reserve Shiraz 16 The South Australian Wine Story Image: McLaren Vale Grape &Wine TourismAssociation