2024 Lucy M Vino Rosso
WINEMAKER: Anton van Klopper
REGION: Adelaide Hills, SA
VARIETY: Merlot, Syrah, Barbera
VITICULTURE: Organic/Biodynamic
Anton describes this wine as “an honest wine for pirates, sailors, gauchos, bricklayers and princesses”. We’re not blessed with such a knack for poetic prose, but we can say this is a juicy, approachable wine that will put a smile on your face. The blend is Merlot (55%), Syrah (40%) and Barbera (5%) from three organically farmed sites. The Merlot is grown at the Magpie Springs Farm in Hope Valley, a lofty site with sandy soils and cool maritime breezes. The Syrah is from the deep red clay of Brackenwood in Hope Forest, and the Barbera comes from 25-year-old vines at Zerella in McLaren Vale. It’s a smashing wine, made to go with life’s simple pleasures—a few mates and a plate of charcuterie would be a great place to start.
Anton van Klopper’s commitment to making wines without any additions and his unwavering, unapologetic attitude have made him a pinup boy of natural wine — not just in Australia, but internationally. His craft of natural wine is a straightforward exercise: it involves vinifying grapes, and grapes alone, without any additions whatsoever. Few debates in wine have been so charged or divisive but Anton’s approach remains on course.