ThistledownSouth Australia, Australia

Thistledown Winery: Australia’s Modern Voice for Grenache

Thistledown has swiftly become one of Australia’s most exciting and admired producers, redefining what’s possible for Grenache on the world stage. Founded by Giles Cooke MW and Fergal Tynan MW, Thistledown is built on a shared belief that Grenache, when grown in the right sites and handled with sensitivity, can produce wines of thrilling perfume, energy, and elegance. Based in the Adelaide Hills, they work primarily with old-vine Grenache from McLaren Vale and the Barossa Valley, focusing on small parcels that reflect the nuance and diversity of South Australia’s ancient soils and varied climates.

Thistledown’s approach is meticulous. They champion dry-grown, bush-vine vineyards, many planted on deep sands or ironstone-studded soils, with some sites dating back to the 1940s and 1950s. In the winery, the philosophy is one of restraint, favouring whole-bunch ferments, wild yeasts, neutral oak, and minimal extraction to capture the natural beauty of Grenache in its purest form. This gentle, hands-off style yields wines of remarkable finesse, clarity, and structure, offering a vibrant contrast to the heavier styles historically associated with Australian Grenache.

While Grenache remains at the heart of Thistledown’s reputation, the winery also crafts a small but focused range of other varietals that reflect their pursuit of finesse and balance across South Australia’s finest terroirs. These are wines that speak of site, season, and sensitive winemaking, earning them international acclaim and a devoted following.

Thistledown Wines

This Charming Man

Sourced from Clarendon’s iconic Smart Vineyard, this single-vineyard Grenache offers extraordinary depth and refinement. Fermented with 20% whole bunches, it delivers notes of sour cherry, blood orange, and graphite, underpinned by tea-like tannins and iron-rich minerality. Complex and brooding, it promises decades of graceful evolution.

Sands of Time

From Blewitt Springs’ deep sandy soils, this is Grenache of purity and finesse. Whole-bunch layers and concrete fermentation preserve its floral lift and silken structure, revealing rose, cherry, pistachio, and earthy spice. A poised, layered wine with fine tannins and vibrant acidity, built for long-term ageing.

She’s Electric

Old bush vines rooted in Seaview’s quartz and ironstone sands produce this bright, aromatic Grenache. Wild-fermented with 50% whole bunches, it brims with redcurrant, cherry, and spice, finishing with savoury depth and texture. A wine of energy, perfume, and quiet power, it showcases Grenache’s lighter, more elegant side.

Where Eagles Dare

A high-altitude Chardonnay from the Adelaide Hills, offering precision and purity. Citrus and white stone fruits meet chalky texture and refreshing acidity. Fermented in oak for subtle complexity, this is a mineral-driven, elegant expression of cool-climate Australian Chardonnay.

Gorgeous Grenache

An accessible, vibrant Grenache with juicy red fruit, spice, and soft tannins. Designed for immediate enjoyment, it offers an introduction to Thistledown’s house style—fresh, fruit-forward, and balanced, with bright acidity and effortless charm.