John Duval Wines
Summary
John Duval Wines is a small-scale, family-owned producer in Australia's Barossa Valley, founded in 2003 by former Penfolds Chief Winemaker John Duval, specializing in Rhône varieties with Shiraz as its cornerstone, sourced from old-vine vineyards throughout the central and northern Barossa Valley and Eden Valley. The winery combines traditional techniques with modern precision, employing open fermentation and gentle extraction methods, with minimal intervention practices that honor authentic varietal and regional character while maintaining structure and aging potential.
Heritage & Leadership
John Duval Wines was established in 2003 in the Barossa Valley of South Australia, following John Duval's departure from Penfolds after a 28-year career. Duval served as Penfolds' Chief Winemaker from 1986 to 2002, where he was responsible for crafting the company's flagship wine, Penfolds Grange, for 16 vintages. His tenure at Penfolds provided him with extensive experience working with premium Barossa fruit, particularly old-vine Shiraz.
The winery remains family-owned, with John Duval as the founder and principal winemaker. In 2016, his son Tim Duval joined the business after gaining winemaking experience in Australia and abroad, including positions at Penfolds and Accolade Wines. Tim now works alongside his father in all aspects of winemaking and business operations, ensuring continuity for the family enterprise. The company maintains a deliberately small scale, focusing on limited production of premium wines rather than volume.
Vineyards & Wines
John Duval Wines does not own vineyards but instead sources fruit from a network of established Barossa Valley growers, many of whom John has worked with for decades. These vineyards are primarily located in the central and northern Barossa Valley and Eden Valley subregions, with specific parcels in Krondorf, Ebenezer, Greenock, and Springton. The company focuses on old-vine fruit, with many source vineyards containing Shiraz vines between 50 and 100 years old.
The portfolio centers on Rhône varieties, with Shiraz as the cornerstone. The flagship wine, Eligo Shiraz, represents a selection of the best barrels from each vintage. The Entity Shiraz, introduced with the inaugural 2003 vintage, showcases the classic Barossa Shiraz character. The range also includes Plexus (a Shiraz, Grenache, and Mourvèdre blend), Annexus Grenache, and Annexus Mataro, focusing on limited-production, single-variety expressions. In 2016, the company expanded its white wine offerings with Entity Chardonnay and Plexus Marsanne/Roussanne/Viognier, sourced from cooler Eden Valley sites.
Philosophy & Practice
John Duval's winemaking philosophy emphasizes balance and restraint, seeking to produce wines that express varietal and regional character while maintaining structure and aging potential. The approach combines traditional techniques with modern precision, reflecting Duval's extensive experience at Penfolds.
For red wines, the production process typically includes open fermentation, with gentle extraction methods to preserve fruit character. Depending on the wine, fermentation occurs in a combination of small stainless steel tanks, concrete vessels, and oak fermenters. The wines undergo maturation in French oak barrels (with varying percentages of new oak depending on the wine), typically for 15-18 months. The flagship Eligo receives a higher proportion of new oak (approximately 50-60%) compared to Entity (25-30%).
White wines are whole-bunch pressed and fermented in a combination of stainless steel and French oak barrels. The company employs minimal intervention techniques, with no fining and minimal filtration before bottling. Annual production remains deliberately small, with approximately 5,000 cases produced across the entire range, allowing for meticulous attention to detail throughout the winemaking process.