2022 Old McDonald Blewitt Springs McLaren Vale Grenache, S.C. Pannell

• Style: Medium-bodied, restrained yet layered
• Taste: Blood orange, blackberry, paprika spice, rose
• Food: Grilled meats, roasted duck, spiced dishes
• Occasion: Date night, gifting, cellar worthy
• Serve: 14–16°C, screwcap, fully vegan

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

A medium-bodied Grenache balancing restraint and richness. Aromas of blood orange and pomegranate open to dark cherry and rose; the palate weaves chorizo and sweet paprika through blackberry with fine, persistent tannins. The 2022 vintage, shaped by a wet spring and slow, cool autumn, carries the acidity and layered depth that rewards drinking now or cellaring.

The Winery — S.C. Pannell

Stephen Pannell has earned two Jimmy Watson Trophies and three Alternative Varietals awards through a philosophy of meticulous vineyard work followed by minimal intervention in the cellar. He relocated to his own McLaren Vale winery in 2014 and now manages 36 hectares, giving him complete fruit control. The 2022 Old McDonald comes from pre-clonal bush vines planted around 1940 on Maslin Beach sands over clay. Hand-harvested 1st March from organically managed, unirrigated blocks, the fruit fermented with 20% whole bunch in open-top stainless steel, then aged in old French oak without fining, filtration, or adjustment — a masterclass in letting the vineyard speak.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Serve at 14–16°C with grilled meats, roasted duck, beef, pork, or any dish carrying paprika and spice. Its earlier pick gives freshness that cuts through richness, making it equally rewarding with stews, braises, and roast dinners. This is one of the finest examples of Grenache & Garnacha available — a reminder that Australia's Mediterranean-style varieties deliver depth and freshness in equal measure. Cellar-worthy and fully vegan, it rewards both immediate enjoyment and patient cellaring, making it perfect for gifting or marking a special occasion.