A new year often means new beginnings or new chapters, and for one McLaren Vale-based winemaking family, it means a new cellar door.
After more than 25 years of operation, McLaren III Associates – the creator of Squid Ink Shiraz – has rebranded and found a new home on McMurtrie Road (next door to Hugh Hamilton Wines).
Senior Winemaker Campbell Greer says the winery will now be known as ‘Thicker Than Water’, representing the bonds of family and the community they want to foster.
“We’re passionate about family. This is a family-owned business and everyone is involved: mum, dad, my older brother, myself, and my younger sister,” says Campbell.
“We’ve all got kids, so running this business together and still having flexibility to drop the kids off at sport… all these things make what we’ve got special.
“It’s always been our objective to create a wine that overdelivers on value, but now we have the opportunity to extend the social aspect of our brand and we have a home to do that.”
The boutique cellar door is a modest minimalistic structure so you’ll be forgiven if you miss it at first. But once you step inside, you’ll see that the interior is extremely modern and intimate, with matte black fixtures and seating.
The room is divided in the centre by two long oval tables, behaving as the main centre piece of the space.
“We went high-end, so that people can feel special. It’s a mental palate senser for people the moment they walk in, touching on as many sensory aspects as possible,” says Campbell.
“We’ve got wine carts to push around to serve people, so it’s more interactive and communal like a lounge room. This gets people interacting with each other outside of their group.
“We just want to give great vibes and great service, because if people are feeling welcome, they’re going to want to come back.”
Thicker Than Water Wines credits the following businesses for its gorgeous venue: MDLR (Developer/Builder), Das Studio (Architect/Designer), Cook Building, Mixed Goods Studios (Cabinetry), Jam Factory (Fittings and Fixtures), and Hunt Furniture (Stools).
The beloved ‘Squid Ink’ Shiraz will be the shining star on the wine menu, so named due to profound purple colour of the grapes on the family’s first vineyard.
The Squid Ink Shiraz, impressively, has gone on to win a multitude of awards – most recently achieving World’s Best Shiraz at the AWC Vienna International Wine Awards 2022.
“AWC Vienna is the largest officially recognised wine show in the world. It’s 100% blind-tasted, with 12,500 wines entered every year. To take out Best Shiraz from the show is incredible,” says Campbell.
The top three ranking Shiraz’s were not only all South Australian brands, but also produced by McLaren Vale wineries. The Squid Ink Shiraz secured the top spot, while Pirramimma Winery was awarded second place for its 2019 War Horse Shiraz. Finally, Sister’s Run scored third for its 2019 Calvary Hill Barossa Shiraz.
Pirramimma’s War Horse Shiraz is the most expensive of the bunch, priced at $100 per bottle. The Calvary Hill Barossa Shiraz from Sister’s Run can be purchased for a very affordable $22.50 per bottle, while the Squid Ink Shiraz meets at the middle with an approachable $65 per bottle.
Alongside the cellar door’s leading variety, the Shiraz, the Thicker Than Water team also serves their varietal Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend and Sangiovese Rose at the new venue.
To find out more, visit the Thicker Than Water website, Facebook or Instagram page.
Thicker Than Water is located at 86 McMurtrie Road, McLaren Vale SA 5171.
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