New premium wine range gives growers recognition for quality grapes

Celebrity helps to sell wine. Just ask Greg Norman, Kylie Minogue or Graham Norton. 

All have enjoyed success adding their names to wine brands. Actor Sam Neill actually makes his own wines. 

Now chef Matt Moran is joining in, partnering with a grower-owned collective to be known as The Group. 

The wines in the range aim to showcase the collective skills, quality and expertise of around 100 grape growers and their families to deliver a range of premium wines from regions including McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills. 

By working with the collective, The Group helps to maintain the collective’s initial goal; to support the livelihood of the growers, and to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and expertise. 

On sale now at Liquorland and First Choice Liquor Market stores nationally, the range includes four core varietals; The Murder 2017 McLaren Vale Shiraz;  The Shadow 2019 Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir; The Quiver 2019 McLaren Vale Grenache and The Fever 2018 McLaren Vale Grower Blend. A limited-edition The Siege 2019 McLaren Vale Shiraz will follow. 

The core range will sell for $34, with The Siege at $70. Half bottles will soon be available for $22. 

Matt Moran (above) says the reason for his involvement - which includes offering food matches for each of the wines - is quite simple. 

“I grew up on the farm and I’ve always had a passion for sourcing great quality produce to create great tasting food," he said. "Like paddock-to-plate, Grower Wines by The Group represent an exciting movement in the Australian wine industry.

"The Group’s collaboration with a Grower-Owned Collective paves the way for the hard-working growers and supports the local, real people behind the label. Establishing these connections is how you create honest, authentic and quality produce – whether its food or wine.” 

The wines are made by the very talented Marnie Roberts (ex Claymore, now Matriarch and Rogue), herself the daughter of a grape grower. 

“The collective knowledge, passion and experience that’s passed down through generations of growers is really special," she said. "These growers are experts on the fruit they grow, and what grapes make the finest wines possible." 

I tried The Murder and The Quiver, with the perky, vibrant and smooth grenache a clear favourite. The grapes for this wine are grown on Dave and Jen Wright’s Wlypena Vineyard in McLaren Flat. The site, which they also call home, is managed by Jen’s son Fred and wife Sarah, making thisa real family affair. 

For details on the range see www.thegroupwines.com.au/