Introducing the debut release of Steve Pannell's new baby, the stunning 2022 Little Branch Grenache. Pannell purchased this gem of a vineyard in the Blewitt Springs dress-circle 2021, which boasts ancient Maslin Beach sands and 30-year-old vines. These vines, combined with the unique ironstone-flecked soils at 140 meters above sea level, bring a lot of character to this wine. As always, Pannell employs traditional techniques like whole bunch fermentation and aging in old French oak vats. The wine is fermented with a small percentage of whole clusters and left on skins for 13 days before being pressed and matured. This hands-off approach really lets the vineyard’s natural qualities shine through. When you take a sip, you’re hit with bright red fruits like raspberry and strawberry, followed by a complex array of spices—cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and cassia. There’s a hint of toffee apple and spun sugar, finishing with musk and rose oil. The texture is smooth and sophisticated, with stealthy tannins that build up slowly, leaving a lasting impression. A remarkable first Little Branch release from Steve, and surely a wine to watch and collect for many years to come. Extremely limited. 97 points"This is an impactful grenache made by somebody who prizes Italian wines. The tannins are an immense force field, with kirsch, strawberries and dried Mediterranean herbs, and a note of almond husk that gives noble bitterness. The density, poise and grace are thoroughly impressive. This is a structured grenache built for the cellar."- Ned Goodwin (James Suckling)

Stephen Pannell continues to excel with his amazing array of intriguing varietals and blends, capturing significant attention amongst critics and consumers alike. He is without a doubt a name to keep an eye on! Leap into something a little different and unique here, with a blend that manages to capture the essence of the Iberian Peninsula, Spain. Bright and juicy with medium weight, a highly perfumed spectrum of plum and dark berry fruits meet exotic spice and scented florals. There's even a slight meaty character adding to the complexity and gentle savoury tannins round out the package. In a word, delicious! 'The cool, wet summer of 2010-11 has imparted peppery and vegetal aromas, while the palate is medium-bodied and slightly edgy, with some leanness and not a lot of flesh. Smooth, appealing current drinking. A nice take on Portuguese - style reds. Ready to drink now to 2020.' - 90/100. - Sydney Morning Herald, 04 Jun 2013, by Huon Hooke.

Former Gourmet Traveller WINE Winemaker of the Year and two-time Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy winner Stephen Pannell loves working with Grenache, and is justly seen as one of Australia's foremost proponents with the grape. This juicy, vibrant, drink-now style is 100% Grenache from Blewitt Springs and McLaren Vale. Hand harvested at 13.5 Baumé. Free run juice with minimal pressings vinified, with malolactic fermentation in stainless steel and only 25ppm liquid sulphur dioxide added through the process. Raised in 2500L French vats for six months, racked and sent to bottle without filtration.The wine shows fresh-fruit aromas of bright red berries and watermelon, with a touch of rose petal and musk leading on to a plush and juicy palate. It's youthful, medium-bodied and lively, with a long, succulent finish bolstered by sandy tannins and a hint of dark spice.

Super tasty Malbec dominant blend is another shining example of why Steve Pannell is rightly lauded as one of the world's greatest wine makers. The additional splashes of Shiraz, Touriga and the exotic Tinata Cao come together beautifully and result in a fleshy & juicy drink that packs a punch and is perfect paired up with anything you can put your hands on to throw on the BBQ. Built for good time drinking.

A single-block Shiraz from 80-year-old vines. Hand harvested. The fruit, spends 10 days on skins, hard pressings removed. Moved to puncheons for malolactic conversion & maturation, 14 months on oak. An approachable, yet complex, drop. A nose of Red berries, earthy tones & baking spice. A full & fleshy palate of plums, berries, dried spice, & chocolate with robust tannin structure.

Stephen Pannell grew up in the wine industry as a member of the family which founded Moss Wood in 1967. Stephen's extensive knowledge and experience has been garnered over the years from his work with many of Australia's best wineries (including Wirra Wirra, Hardy's Tintara and BRL Hardy where he was Chief Red Winemaker from 1999 to 2003) and numerous vintages overseas at such places as Domaine des Comtes Lafon in Burgundy, Chateau Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux and G.D.Vajra in Barolo. Other highlights in Stephen's career include winning the title of International Red Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge in London, winning the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show, twice winning the Max Schubert Trophy at the Adelaide Wine Show as well as being listed as one of the 50 most influential contributors to the world of wine by Decanter Magazine.