Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All Vintages
Yangarra Estate Vineyard is a biodynamic wine farm located in the Blewitt Springs district of McLaren Vale, South Australia. The estate was first planted in 1946 and is home to 87 hectares of vines, led by Grenache and Shiraz. Located a 40-minute drive south of Adelaide, the McLaren Vale winegrowing region has a Mediterranean climate, characterized by warm, dry summers with cool, wet winters.
Peter Fraser has been the winemaker and driving force behind Yangarra Estate Vineyard since 2000. Peter focuses much of his attention on the vineyards. When it comes to winemaking philosophy, Peter stands by some key foundations of sensitivity and attention-to-detail. Peter was named ‘Winemaker of the Year’ by James Halliday’s Wine Companion Awards. In 2018, he was nominated as Best Winemaker by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
Known for opulent red wines with intense power and concentration, McLaren Vale is home to perhaps the most “classic” style of Australian Shiraz. Vinified on its own or in Rhône Blends, these hot-climate wines are deeply colored and high in extract with signature hints of dark chocolate and licorice. Cabernet Sauvignon is also produced in a similar style.
Whites, often made from Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc tend to be opulent and full of tropical, stone and citrus fruit.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.