Our artistS from Australia
Because great wines are the combination of soil, grapes and workmanship.
John Duval
Barossa Valley, Australia
"My aim is to make elegant wines which are true to the soils and climate of each of the vineyards I work with." John Duval
Winemaking History
John Duval started at Penfolds in 1974 and was Chief Winemaker for 16 years 1986-2002. In that time he enjoyed the privilege of making Australia's most famous wine, Penfolds Grange. John founded John Duval Wines in 2003, producing wines made from old vines. ‘Plexus’ is a Rhone style of blend of Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvedre (GSM) and his first Shiraz ‘Entity’ was released in 2006; the Reserve ‘Eligo’ Shiraz is made in tiny quantities. ‘Affinis’ Barossa Shiraz 2010 was Cellarmasters Red Wine of the Year in 2012, and creates the ‘Spiritus’ exclusively for Cellarmasters.
Winemaking History
John Duval started at Penfolds in 1974 and was Chief Winemaker for 16 years 1986-2002. In that time he enjoyed the privilege of making Australia's most famous wine, Penfolds Grange. John founded John Duval Wines in 2003, producing wines made from old vines. ‘Plexus’ is a Rhone style of blend of Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvedre (GSM) and his first Shiraz ‘Entity’ was released in 2006; the Reserve ‘Eligo’ Shiraz is made in tiny quantities. ‘Affinis’ Barossa Shiraz 2010 was Cellarmasters Red Wine of the Year in 2012, and creates the ‘Spiritus’ exclusively for Cellarmasters.
John’s favourite wine moment
Releasing my first wine under our family label; the 2003 Plexus SGM (Shiraz, Grenache, Mourvedre). This wine went on to score 93 points from Robert Parker Jr in The Wine Advocate (Oct 2005), 94 points from Philip White in The Adelaide Advertiser who called it a “near perfect example.”
John’s winemaking philosophy
1) Quality grapes from a well-managed vineyard. Picked at the right time with optimum flavour and tannin ripeness with sugar levels not too high.
2) Fermented to retain fruit expression and balance; not over extracted for red wine.
3) Bottled at the right time, after maturation has developed and enhanced complexity.
Winery Background
John Duval Wines was established in 2003 and is focused on crafting wines from old-vine Barossa fruit. Shiraz and Shiraz blends arewhat John champions, and his 30 years of experience have helped him forge close relationships with some of the Barossa’s best growers. The winery is rated 5 Stars by James Halliday, while its wines are exported to all major markets.Total production is very limited, which is why the wines are so highly prized.
MollyDookers
McLaren Valley, Australia
Mollydooker (Aussie for left-hander) Wines was established in 2005 by Sarah and Sparky Marquis. Five of their wines have been chosen in the Wine Spectator's "Top 100," and their Carnival of Love Shiraz has made the "Top 100" twice. The winery is on the prime Seaview Ridge in McLaren Vale, South Australia, and the vines are grown according to the Marquis Vineyard Watering Programme to give the grapes the rich flavors that distinguish Mollydooker's wines. Mollydooker makes Shiraz, Cabernet, Merlot and Verdelho. The Velvet Glove Shiraz, with 95%+ Marquis Fruit Weight is superbly complete and complex, with stunny beauty and power.