McLaren Vale winery Wirra Wirra will acquire the acclaimed Trott Vineyard in Blewitt Springs, one of Australia’s most significant Grenache sites.
It will work with Thistledown Wines – which has sourced fruit from the vineyard for 13 years – to strengthen its global profile.
The Trott name has long been synonymous with Wirra Wirra.
The former owners, Sue and the late Roger Trott, rebuilt Wirra Wirra with Roger’s cousin Greg in 1969.
Planted in 1952 on deep Maslin sands, Trott Vineyard is known for Grenache of exceptional perfume, purity and structure.
Its reputation was underscored at the 2025 MGA Insurance Group McLaren Vale Wine Show, where Thistledown 2024 Sands of Time Single Vineyard Blewitt Springs Grenache was named Best Wine of Show, Best Grenache and Best Single Vineyard (non-Shiraz), while long-time vineyard custodian Sue Trott received the award for Best Single Vineyard Viticulturist.
Wirra Wirra will assume ownership and management of the vineyard, while Thistledown will continue to purchase half of the fruit under a long-term agreement.
Together, the two producers aim to position Trott Vineyard among the world’s leading Grenache terroirs.
While current challenges in the wine industry are well publicised, Wirra Wirra is taking a long-term global view of the industry.
“Trott Vineyard is a rare asset in Australian wine,” said Matthew Deller MW, CEO of Wirra Wirra.
“Its fruit produces a style of Grenache that stands comfortably alongside the great sites of the world.
“We are committed to protecting its identity and working with Thistledown, whose achievements with the vineyard have played a vital role in elevating McLaren Vale Grenache internationally.
“Given the exceptional quality of the fruit, the growing global reputation of McLaren Vale Grenache and the Trott/Wirra Wirra connection, it was an opportunity our family ownership could not let slip by.”
Thistledown founder Giles Cooke MW said, “We have made single vineyard wines from Trott for 13 years, and its character defines Sands of Time.
“Working with Wirra Wirra secures the future of this site and allows us to accelerate its global recognition.
“Trott Vineyard deserves its place among the world’s leading expressions of Grenache.”
Vineyard management will be led by Wirra Wirra viticulturist Anton Groffen, with a focus on preserving original vine material and maintaining the site’s structural and soil integrity.
Blewitt Springs has emerged as one of the world’s most compelling regions for Grenache.
With Trott Vineyard at its core, the partnership between Wirra Wirra and Thistledown aims to further strengthen McLaren Vale’s position on the global stage.
Family-owned and established in 1894, Wirra Wirra is one of McLaren Vale’s most respected wineries.
Its certified organic estate vineyards and biodynamic practices underpin flagship wines including Church Block, RSW Shiraz and The Absconder Grenache.
The group also includes Ashton Hills and Hahndorf Hill in the Adelaide Hills.
Thistledown Wines is a boutique South Australian producer founded in 2010 and owned by Giles Cooke MW and Paddy Gilhooly.
It specialises in small-batch Grenache, Shiraz and Chardonnay sourced from premium vineyards, aiming for elegance, purity and site expression.
The winery is widely acclaimed for its contemporary, terroir-driven Australian wine style.
Photo: Wirra Wirra viticulturist Anton Groffen with Matthew Deller MW and chief winemaker Emma Wood in the Trott Vineyard.
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