They Might Be Giants

[Andrew Jordan]

No this is not a poll about the early 1990's band from the States who sung among other things "Istanbul, Constant in Opal", but the title of an article in the Oct/Nov issue of Gourmet Traveller Wine. The article highlights 8 new-wave Barossa winemakers. Max Allen points out that these are "not CEO's or dentists who fall in love with the idea of owning their own vineyard, but the professionally trained winemakers and grape growers who are either leaving large companies and striking out on their own, or who are making their own wines in their spare time".

Max Allen also points out that this is happening in the Barrosa on a major scale and more importantly, they are making some particularly impressive wines. Now personally, I haven't met all these guys but I have met Dan Standish, Jaysen Collins and Troy Kalleske and all three of these guys are down to earth, approachable and very accommodating, to the point that during the middle of the 2005 vintage, all of them went out of their way to walk us through multiple barrel tastings of wines they were working on, even due to it being the busiest time of the season. So if this is an indication of the rest of the bunch named, then these guys are definitely a new breed, and a refreshing breath of fresh air to the Australian wine industry in general.

But from my limited exposure to these winemakers and their wines so far my favourite "new-wave" winemaker would have to be Troy Kalleske. I cannot think of one wine that he has released that I have not liked. Not only does he make very classy wines (his Greenock Shiraz coverted me to Big Barossa Shiraz) but he is a nice bloke as well and really looks after his customers.

So what about you, who is your favourite "new-wave" Barossa wine maker and why?

[707]

Good list but not comprehensive.

Damian Tscharke of Glaymond fame fits right in there, what about the guys from Tin Shed, Christian Canute of Rusden and don't forget a couple of guys who have been around slightly longer like Reid Bosward of Kaesler and Wayne Dutschke.

The Barossa is certainly a hotbed of new makers and new labels born from family owned old vines and disenchantment with the corporates.

I often wonder how much of the very best material has now left the clutches of the corporates and what effect that will have on their better labels.

[Andrew Jordan]

Nice article by Huon Hooke about the Kalleske Family in today's SMH's Good Living.

[Gavin Trott]

Small note, Jaysen Collins is not a wine maker, he is Turkey Flat's general manager, Dan Standish, as I understand it, makes the Massena wines.

[George Krashos]

Christian Canute at Rusden seems to have everything going in the right direction. And I like his philosophies on the business and making wine in general.

-- George Krashos

[KMP]

Troy Kalleske makes some impressive wines, but my vote goes to Matt Wenk. Not only does he do his own label but he does Two Hands and Branson (and probably others). And he does excellent things with fruit from relatively young vines as well as from a number of varietals. That's talent!

Mike

[DaveL]

Love the reference to Istanbul too, by the way. I always say if more modern music sounded like the 90's I'd buy more modern music.

My vote went to Torbreck - well David Powell anyway.