Thistledown
Summary
Thistledown Wines operates as a small-scale négociant venture in South Australia, founded by Masters of Wine Giles Cooke and Fergal Tynan, specializing in Grenache from old-vine vineyards across McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, and Adelaide Hills. Their minimal-intervention approach emphasizes elegance over power through techniques like whole bunch fermentation and indigenous yeasts, helping redefine Australian Grenache on the global stage while showcasing the untapped potential of the region's historic vineyards.
Heritage & Leadership
Thistledown Wines emerged in the 2010s as a focused project dedicated to showcasing the potential of Australian Grenache. The venture was established by two Masters of Wine, Giles Cooke and Fergal Tynan, who recognized the untapped quality of old-vine Grenache in South Australia's premier growing regions. Giles Cooke MW continues to lead the winemaking program, bringing his technical expertise and vision to the operation.
The winery operates as part of Alliance Wine, a UK-based wine company with operations spanning both the United Kingdom and Australia. This connection provides Thistledown with distribution capabilities while maintaining its focused production approach. The company has developed its reputation through a deliberate concentration on site-specific wines that highlight the distinctive terroirs of South Australia.
Vineyards & Wines
Thistledown sources fruit from carefully selected vineyards across South Australia's premier growing regions, with particular focus on the Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale, and Barossa Valley. The company has established relationships with growers in these regions, working closely with vineyards that showcase the distinctive characteristics of each area. Their work in the Blewitt Springs sub-region of McLaren Vale, known for its sandy soils, has become particularly significant for their Grenache program.
The winery's approach follows a négociant model, partnering with growers who maintain vineyards with exceptional old vines, some of which are 80-100 years old. These mature vines, with their naturally low yields and concentrated fruit, form the backbone of Thistledown's portfolio. While Grenache stands as their flagship variety, appearing in both single-vineyard bottlings and blends, they also produce Shiraz and GSM (Grenache-Shiraz-Mourvèdre) blends that reflect South Australia's winemaking heritage. Their range extends to include Chardonnay from the cooler Adelaide Hills region.
Philosophy & Practice
Thistledown's winemaking philosophy centers on allowing each vineyard site to express its distinctive character through minimal intervention techniques. Their approach to Grenache, in particular, emphasizes capturing the variety's elegant, medium-bodied expression rather than pursuing the heavily extracted styles that once dominated Australian wine.
Technical aspects of their production include whole bunch fermentation for their Grenache wines, which contributes aromatic complexity and structural elements. The winery utilizes indigenous yeasts for fermentation, allowing for a slower, more natural process that preserves site-specific characteristics. Aging typically takes place in older, neutral oak vessels, a deliberate choice that allows the fruit character and vineyard expression to remain at the forefront.
This combination of old vines, careful site selection, and thoughtful winemaking has earned Thistledown recognition from wine critics and helped position their wines as representatives of the evolving Australian wine landscape, particularly in redefining perceptions of Australian Grenache.