A long time between fizz for Chapel Hill Wines

McLaren Vale winery Chapel Hill has released its first sparkling wine for twenty years – Adelaide Hills Chardonnay Pinot Noir Sparkling NV ($27).

Sparkling wine was once a cellar door favourite at Chapel Hill.

Winemaker Michael Fragos says the Adelaide Hills is one of his favourite sparkling wine regions, and with its close proximity to the winery’s home in McLaren Vale, makes the ideal region to showcase the return of sparkling wine to the Chapel Hill portfolio.

“The very first sparkling wine from Chapel Hill was released in 1979, only four short years after Chapel Hill released its very first wines,” he says.

“The wines were primarily available through cellar door, with many of our returning guests reminiscing about these sparkling wines for years to come.

“It’s been 20 years since our last sparkling release and I’m excited to see it returning to our portfolio.”

Michael says the craft of sparkling wine requires a different set of skills to still wine production.

“Sparkling winemaking is very unforgiving – absolute attention to detail is required in both the vineyard and winery to avoid any blemishes,” he says.

“The fruit sourcing from the cool climate sites of the Adelaide Hills, coupled with our attention to detail in the winery, results in a wine that exudes finesse, depth of flavour and balanced acidity.”

The Chapel Hill Chardonnay Pinot Noir NV spends a minimum of 24 months in bottle on lees prior to release, creating a complex wine with expressive flavour.

“The Chardonnay fruit provides great purity and acidity to the wine with hints of citrus blossom, while the Pinot Noir supplies the
impressive mouthfeel and length,” Michael says.

While the summer season sees the lion’s share of sales for sparkling wine, the style has become a year-round wine selection amongst Gen Z and Millennial wine drinkers seeking out an array of premium sparkling wine ($20+) to enjoy for everyday and meal occasions.

Chapel Hill is part of Pinnacle Drinks owned by Endeavour Group.

According to findings from Endeavour Group’s own ‘State of the Grapes’ report released in 2025, sparkling wine is part
of the growing preference for light, refreshing, flavourful wine styles.

The new sparkling will be available from the Chapel Hill cellar door and select Dan Murphy’s retail stores.