SA winemaker buys one of state’s most valuable vineyards amid glut
As the wine industry struggles with international conflict and grape oversupply, one winemaker tells why his business has bought some of the state’s “most valuable” vines.
Wirra Wirra Vineyards has penned a deal that would see the winemaker take custodianship of the award-winning Trott Vineyard in Blewitt Springs.
Wirra Wirra CEO Matthew Deller said the 2.5ha vineyard is one of Australia’s most valuable grenache sites, and would help the business grow its position globally producing premium red wine.
“It’s been said by many people that Australia is making the best wine we’ve ever had, and our profile in the international markets is the lowest that it’s ever been,” Deller said.
“This grenache will grow Australia’s perception in the global markets and that’s really what’s needed right now.”
Many SA wineries have been facing the strain of a grape oversupply crisis, rising costs and a drop in global consumption that forced Randall Wine Group that owns Seppeltsfield to lay off staff last week.
But Deller explains Wirra Wirra is positioning itself “in the segment of the market that is growing”.
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“We are exiting the under $15 segment as a winery. It’s just somewhere that we can’t differentiate, whereas we’re doubling down on the over $20 segment,” he said.
“Every wine that a winery makes must earn its place in the glass and in people’s lives. So that’s the journey that we’re on now.
“People are wanting authenticity, provenance and craft, so we need to ensure that we’re delivering on that really clearly.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on Tuesday morning that Australia has secured a historic trade deal with the European Union that removes challenging tariffs from 98 per cent of Australian exports.
It was a welcome announcement for SA winemakers, with the agreement to go through domestic processes before it comes into force.
Deller said he was “thrilled” with the announcement as the winery looks to grow its international market presence into Europe that is already worth “millions”.
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“A couple of years ago, we set up a distribution hub in Belgium to make it easier for European markets to buy our wine and for importers to ship our wines more frequently in manageable quantities,” Deller said.
“That has unlocked a lot of great European markets for us, and we’re definitely thrilled about the impending free-trade agreement.”
But the winemaker said he remains wary of skyrocketing fuel prices that have created headaches for Australian farmers, with “the worst impact of what’s happening in the Middle East” yet to hit the winery.
“Right now, it’s yet to hit us but it will, and I imagine that it will only compound the discretionary squeeze that we’re experiencing now,” he said.
“It makes it even more important that people are getting an experience from our wines that they feel was delivering more than what they paid. This is the only way that we’ll survive as a winery.”
Wirra Wirra will assume ownership and management of the vineyard with Thistledown continuing the purchase of the sought after fruit under a long-term agreement.
Thistledown Wines swept 2025’s McLaren Vale Wine Show for its 2024 Sands of Time Single Vineyard Blewitt Springs Grenache, taking out Best Wine of Show, Best Grenache and Best Single Vineyard (non-Shiraz).
“If God was going to invent the perfect grenache vineyard, the Trott Vineyard would be it. I expect that we can win McLaren Vale’s overall wine trophy in a few years,” Deller said.
“Our first full vintage from the Trott Vineyard will be the 2027 vintage, so 2028 will be when customers can see the grenache from the vineyard.”
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