Thistledown proprietor and winemaker Giles Cooke MW and director Patrick Gilhooly have been crowned McLaren Vale Bushing Monarchs after their Sands of Time 2024 Single Vineyard Blewitt Springs Grenache won Best Wine at the McLaren Vale Wine Show.
Chair of judges Toby Barlow praised the vineyard selection of the wine and the reflection of place.
“The most pleasing element of the Best Wine of Show taste-off was the quality and personality across all the trophy winning wines,” he said.
“Respectful mentions go to the Shiraz, Chenin Blanc and Grenache dominant blend which polled well and evoked some good discussion.
“However, it was clear from the vote that the Grenache had captured the judges’ attention and was a clear winner.
“Thistledown 2024 Sands of Time Blewitt Springs Grenache has captured that elusive balance of bright aromatic, even long flavours and a tannin framework that really spoke to site and region.
“It is a compelling example of Grenache grown in a region that is gaining global recognition for this variety.”
Mr Barlow said the show results demonstrate a palpable sense of evolution and progression in both growing and winemaking for traditional and emerging varieties and styles.
“Grenache continues to shine with clarity and confidence that is evident in the wines and styles,” he said.
“The region’s Mediterranean varieties are evolving and showcasing viticultural improvements and winemaking evolution with producers leaning into site expression and freshness.
“The traditional and emerging reds deserve the attention they receive, however, I continue to be excited by fabulous examples of Chenin Blanc, Fiano, Grenache Blanc, Rosé and Vermentino that are being carefully grown and crafted into delicious wines with balanced acidity, alcohol and phenolic textures that have great relevance to consumers.
“This year’s results are a great reminder of just how dynamic and diverse the region has become; exciting times.”
UK writer, broadcaster and Master of Wine Peter Richards MW – co-host of the Wine Blast podcast – joined the 2025 McLaren Vale Wine Show as international judge.
“First: a confession,” he said.
“I came to judge the McLaren Vale Wine Show because I wanted to see if this Grenache-based renaissance was real.
“My conclusion? Hell yeah, in spades. These new-wave Grenaches (and Grenache-based blends) were the clear standouts from the show.
“The best of them married beguiling, heady scents with refreshing acidity, eye-opening energy, serious complexity and grippy, insistent tannins.
“A new-wave fine wine category fit to join the world’s greats?! Better believe it.
“The Shiraz and Cabernet classes were more mixed, as you might expect, with both traditional and modern styles.
“The best married complexity with elegance and perfume (with those taking a leaf out of Grenache’s book – i.e. majoring on refinement and perfume – clearly the best).
“But it didn’t end there – the alternative reds were an intriguing bunch, with Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Mencía and Nero d’Avola showing promise.
“Grenache Blanc was the standout white alongside Fiano: both these varieties will have a bright future in the Vale.”
The panel of sixteen judges included chair of judges Toby Barlow (Treasury Wine Estates), international judge Peter Richards MW and panel chairs Jack Glover (Hill-Smith Family Estates), Steven Paul (Oakdene Vineyards) and Stuart Hordern (Brokenwood Wines).
The show attracted 707 entries and culminated with the awards ceremony at the traditional Bushing Lunch on Friday.
Best Wine oF Show & Bushing Monarch
Thistledown 2024 Sands of Time Single Vineyard Blewitt Springs Grenache
Chairperson’s Trophy
Mitolo 2024 Trovato Fiano
International Judge’s Trophy
Ministry of Clouds 2024 Grenache
Wines of Provenance Trophy
Reynella 2022, 2017, 2012 Basket Pressed Cabernet Sauvignon
Best Museum Wine
Hardys 2012 Eileen Hardy Shiraz
Best Shiraz
Dune 2024 Shiraz
Best Grenache
Thistledown 2024 Sands of Time Single Vineyard Blewitt Springs Grenache
Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Richard Hamilton 2021 Hut Block Cabernet Sauvignon
Best Single Vineyard Shiraz
Chalk Hill Wines 2023 Alpha Crucis Seaview Syrah
Best Single Vineyard Wine Any Style (Other Than Shiraz)
Thistledown 2024 Sands of Time Single Vineyard Blewitt Springs Grenache
Best Single Vineyard Viticulturist
Sue Trott, Trott Vineyard
Best Small Producer of Show
Paralian Wines
Most Successful Exhibitor
Vinarchy
Best Two Year or Older Grenache
S.C. Pannell 2023 Old McDonald Grenache
Best Two Year Old Shiraz
Serafino 2023 Black Label Shiraz
Best Two Year or Younger Cabernet Sauvignon
Coriole 2023 Mary Kathleen Cabernet Sauvignon
Best Other Red & Blends
Battle of Bosworth Wines 2024 Heretic Touriga Nacional Graciano Mataro Shiraz
Best Shiraz Blend
Shottesbrooke Vineyards 2024 Engine Room by Hamish Maguire Shiraz Mataro Grenache
Best Grenache Blend
Paralian 2024 Blewitt Springs Grenache Shiraz
Best Tempranillo & Blends
Gemtree Wines 2024 Luna Temprana Tempranillo
Best Nero D’Avola
Hugo Wines 2024 Nero D’Avola
Best Rosé
Mazi 2025 Limited Release Grenache Mourvèdre Rosé
Best Fiano
Hugo Wines 2025 Fiano
Best Traditional White Wine
MMAD Vineyard 2024 Chenin Blanc
Best New and Emerging White Wine
Harrison 2025 Tan Fresca Grenache Blanc
Best Three Year or or Older Shiraz
Wirra Wirra 2022 RSW Shiraz
Best Three Year or Older Cabernet Sauvignon
Richard Hamilton 2021 Hut Block Cabernet Sauvignon
Best One Year or Younger Shiraz
Dune 2024 Shiraz
Best One Year Old Grenache
Thistledown 2024 Sands of Time Single Vineyard Blewitt Springs Grenache
Trott Family Award
Jim Ellis, Ellis Butchers
d’Arry Osborn Award
Willunga 100
Photo: Thistledown owners Giles Cooke MW and Patrick Gilhooly. Photo credit: Ben Macmahon.
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