Introducing the latest releases from MMAD Vineyard
Words by David LeMire MW
Sixty-eight months ago, Martin Shaw, Michael Hill Smith, Adam Wadewitz and myself, were contemplating investing in a vineyard in the heart of Blewitt Springs. The idea had been percolating for some time, for at least 3 years leading up to that point.
Months and years are two units of measurement. Just as relevant for us if not more, are seasons and harvests. Six summers have passed in what seems like the time it takes Ryan Fox to line up a putt. Our sixth summer was the warmest so far, and our sixth winter is on track to be the coldest. We keep accumulating the knowledge of the vineyard, and actively shaping things along the way.
MMAD Vineyard is blessed with old vines that have weathered scores of seasons. But there is constant change as well. Within the old vines, old growth is cut back to make room for new. Soils are replenished with cover crops. And vines that have served their time make way for new ones. We have removed two blocks of Merlot, and one each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, and we have planted 2 blocks of Chenin Blanc, one of Grenache, and one of Mataro. Eight moves in less than six years. Standing too long over a putt is not the answer.
As the experience, or 'data points' add up, so too, if we’re paying attention, does the wine’s quality, integrity, deliciousness. We’ve seen 4 varieties across 6 harvests, now becoming 5 varieties, planted over 16 different blocks, with vines planted in 6 different decades. It’s a lot of information even though it’s early days for us. It means what we can achieve with more time is super exciting, but we also should celebrate some great progress so far in the vineyard, in the bottles, and in the glass.
MMAD Vineyard is blessed with old vines that have weathered scores of seasons. But there is constant change as well. Within the old vines, old growth is cut back to make room for new. Soils are replenished with cover crops. And vines that have served their time make way for new ones. We have removed two blocks of Merlot, and one each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, and we have planted 2 blocks of Chenin Blanc, one of Grenache, and one of Mataro. Eight moves in less than six years. Standing too long over a putt is not the answer.
As the experience, or 'data points' add up, so too, if we’re paying attention, does the wine’s quality, integrity, deliciousness. We’ve seen 4 varieties across 6 harvests, now becoming 5 varieties, planted over 16 different blocks, with vines planted in 6 different decades. It’s a lot of information even though it’s early days for us. It means what we can achieve with more time is super exciting, but we also should celebrate some great progress so far in the vineyard, in the bottles, and in the glass.
Our new releases this August are the fourth release of Grenache and of Shiraz, both 2024 vintage; our fifth Chenin Blanc, from 2025, and our third Rosé, from 2026.
We’ve had some great reviews and awards along the way, and these releases have already had a fantastic reception.
The Grenache and Shiraz are in their smart new package with a short capsule and a DIAM30 closure. We’ve gone this way for the reds only based on our trials over the last 5 years. It’s not a big part of the story for us, just a seal that we think works really well for the MMAD Vineyard reds.
In terms of the style and quality, we could not be happier with these wines. 2024 was a standout year for reds, and the Grenache and Shiraz have layers of concentration, whilst retaining elegance and beauty. While they are both very special, in my view the Shiraz looks especially good at this early stage. The Chenin Blanc takes a moment to open in the glass, and then reveals its highly varietal Chenin Blanc characters, with some spiced pear, quince, and honeysuckle, and its trademark texture and grip. The 2026 Rosé shows the savoury and textural style with restraint but concentration that Adam loves to see in Rosé. If you want fresh, delicious Rosé with a gentle softness in the mid-palate, this is the one. If you want savoury complexity with intensity and length, this is also the one.
We have had a lot of activity on this month to introduce these wines to lovers of fine wine, including sell-out events in Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Thanks to all who have attended along the way - if you haven't, we hope to have a chance to introduce these wines to you soon.
We’ve had some great reviews and awards along the way, and these releases have already had a fantastic reception.
The Grenache and Shiraz are in their smart new package with a short capsule and a DIAM30 closure. We’ve gone this way for the reds only based on our trials over the last 5 years. It’s not a big part of the story for us, just a seal that we think works really well for the MMAD Vineyard reds.
In terms of the style and quality, we could not be happier with these wines. 2024 was a standout year for reds, and the Grenache and Shiraz have layers of concentration, whilst retaining elegance and beauty. While they are both very special, in my view the Shiraz looks especially good at this early stage. The Chenin Blanc takes a moment to open in the glass, and then reveals its highly varietal Chenin Blanc characters, with some spiced pear, quince, and honeysuckle, and its trademark texture and grip. The 2026 Rosé shows the savoury and textural style with restraint but concentration that Adam loves to see in Rosé. If you want fresh, delicious Rosé with a gentle softness in the mid-palate, this is the one. If you want savoury complexity with intensity and length, this is also the one.
We have had a lot of activity on this month to introduce these wines to lovers of fine wine, including sell-out events in Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Thanks to all who have attended along the way - if you haven't, we hope to have a chance to introduce these wines to you soon.
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2025 MMAD Vineyard Chenin Blanc, 96 points - Jeni Port, The Wine Pilot
"Old vine Chenin charm on show, bringing the kind of effortless confidence that sets this grape variety apart.
Little wonder Chenin is taking off with consumers. Mid yellow. Archetypal varietal aromas of apple, pear, peach meet a thread of grass, herbs, almond biscotti, hints of marzipan and stunning floral honeysuckle, citrus blossom. So smooth and warmly textural with a taste that is both generous but remains focused on a core of bright apple, pear and white peach slowly expanding, roaming wider into lemon curd, citrus peel, hints of green almond and honeyed notes.
Great length and presence."
2025 MMAD Vineyard Chenin Blanc -
2024 MMAD Vineyard Grenache, 96 points - Campbell Mattinson, CampbellMattinson.com
"Glory be.
This is a shockingly beautiful red wine, fragrant and expressive, fruity and savoury, smoky, perfumed, juicy and electrically well sustained. You don’t roll out the red carpet for this wine; it is the red carpet. It shows red and blue berry flavours, floral notes, positive reduction, black olives and whispers of anise. The finesse and stretch of the tannin here, bearing fruit-laden goods as it flares through the finish, is almost worth the price of admission alone.
Blewitt Springs you beauty. Hell yes."
2024 MMAD Vineyard Grenache -
2024 MMAD Vineyard Shiraz, 97+ points - Marcus Ellis, Halliday Wine Companion
"This has been the surprise packet of the MMAD wines, with it duelling for position with the Grenache and Chenin Blanc.
Some whole bunch, concrete and oak vat for ferment, then raised in older, larger oak, as usual. Saint-Joseph resonances. Evocatively aromatic and spicily so. Smoky, darkly mineral. Blackberry pastille, tapenade, lavender, grilled game meat, crème de violette, iodine and nori, star anise, ground clove, allspice, green and black peppercorns, malted barley, freshly ground coffee, powdery rust. Like the Grenache, the nose holds such intrigue, demands attention. That’s matched by the silky flow of the old-vine fruit on the palate and the superfine natural tannin.
This is blisteringly good, again."
2024 MMAD Vineyard Shiraz
