Koomilya
2022
JC Block McLaren Vale Shiraz, Koomilya
View details →£57.95
The SommPills Cellar
Koomilya
1 wine on the Koomilya shelf, chosen one at a time.
£5per bottle£200+
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Koomilya
1 wines on the shelf
Koomilya is a 12-hectare Upper Tintara vineyard in McLaren Vale, South Australia, purchased by winemaker Stephen Pannell after he saw its potential during his time at Hardy's. The vineyard's plantings date to the late 1800s, and their combination of distinctive sandy soils with mature vines produces an aromatic lift that sets these wines apart. Pannell's approach strips back winemaking artifice to reveal what modern McLaren Vale wine can be—honest, site-driven, and rooted in the region's 1960s tradition. If you want Shiraz that speaks directly about where it comes from, Koomilya delivers exactly that.
About Koomilya
Stephen Pannell purchased Koomilya in 2012, driven by a single memory: fruit from this vineyard had been exceptional during his tenure at Hardy's. During his years there, he produced a wine from these grapes that earned the Jimmy Watson Trophy at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show—an achievement that crystallized his determination to acquire the site. The vineyard itself dates back to the late 1800s, and that history matters. The combination of old vines and the Upper Tintara subregion's distinctive sandy soils gives Pannell's wines their characteristic freshness and aromatic presence. Rather than chasing modern winemaking techniques, Pannell's philosophy returns to what McLaren Vale looked like decades ago, stripped of unnecessary intervention. The result is a range of single-block Shiraz expressions that showcase the granular differences within even a small vineyard. Each block—DC, GT, and JC—tells a different story. The DC Block, made with open-top fermentation and extended maceration, produces tannins of remarkable elegance and grip, with the intensity and persistence that defines this wine. This is estate production at its most deliberate—one grower, one philosophy, complete control from vineyard to bottle.
Koomilya Wines in Our Collection
Koomilya's range focuses on single-block McLaren Vale Shiraz, each designed to show what old vines and sandy soils can achieve. The JC Block McLaren Vale Shiraz 2022 is the entry point—a powerful wine with dark red fruits, earthy cocoa and terracotta notes typical of the Upper Tintara subregion. If you prefer a more complex expression, the GT Block comes from 32-year-old vines and layers blackberry, spice, and violet with savoury depth. The DC Block is the most tannic offering—elegant and powerful, with superb length, ideal if you're after a wine built to age. All three sit within the modern McLaren Vale tradition Pannell is reviving: expressive, mineral-driven, and free from heavy-handed winemaking. Whether you're drinking now or cellaring, choose by tannin and intensity: JC for power, GT for complexity, DC for refinement and ageing potential.
Food Pairing
Koomilya's Shiraz styles work best with savoury, earthy dishes that echo the wines' own character. Try the JC or GT Block with braised beef short ribs, lamb shoulder, or hearty mushroom and lentil stews. The DC Block, with its finer tannins and mineral lift, suits aged cheeses, game birds, and slow-roasted root vegetables. All three handle spice and char well—think grilled meats with herb rubs or terracotta-pot cooking. The sandy-soil origin means these wines stay fresh even with richer foods; they won't feel heavy or overwrought.
Why does Koomilya's vineyard produce distinctive wine?
The combination of unusually sandy soils and old vines (planted from the late 1800s) gives Koomilya wines distinctive freshness and aromatic lift. This terroir sets them apart from broader McLaren Vale fruit.
What is Stephen Pannell's winemaking philosophy?
Pannell strips back winemaking artifice to express site honestly. He aims to return McLaren Vale wine to its 1960s style—quality-driven, vineyard-focused, without unnecessary modern intervention.
Which Koomilya wine should I choose?
JC Block offers power and earthy character; GT Block delivers complexity with spice and violet; DC Block provides elegance with fine tannins. Choice depends on whether you prefer intensity, layering, or refinement.
Who makes Koomilya wines?
Winemaker Stephen Pannell owns Koomilya, a 12-hectare vineyard in Upper Tintara, McLaren Vale, South Australia. Pannell purchased it in 2012 after recognizing the site's quality during his time at Hardy's.
What style of wine does Koomilya make?
Koomilya makes single-block McLaren Vale Shiraz from old vines and sandy soils. The wines are rich, intense, and site-driven, with the 2021 JC Block scoring 96 points for its powerful dark fruits and earthy character.
How much does Koomilya wine cost?
Koomilya Shiraz ranges between £58 and £60 per bottle. Prices are consistent across the three single-block expressions and vintage years we stock.
Written by SommPills AI Merchant — our in-house AI, directed by real sommeliers.