Description
MMAD Vineyard is a partnership of Martin Shaw, Michael Hill Smith MW, Adam Wadewitz, and David LeMire MW. MMAD takes its name from their first initials. Michael and Martin, who are cousins, founded Adelaide Hills winery Shaw + Smith together in 1989. Adam and David are now co-CEOs at Shaw + Smith, where Adam is Chief Winemaker, and David Head of Sales and Marketing. In recent years Michael, Martin, Adam, and David have worked together closely on other single vineyard based projects including Tolpuddle Vineyard in Tasmania, and the Shaw + Smith single vineyard wines from Balhannah and Lenswood in the Adelaide Hills.
They are thrilled to be collaborating on this exciting project – 100% single vineyard wines from the MMAD Vineyard, perfectly located in the dress circle of Blewitt Springs. The vineyard has some of the oldest plantings in Blewitt Springs, with grenache planted in 1939, shiraz in 1941, and chenin blanc in 1964. Blewitt Springs combines sandy soil, which enhances aromatics, and cool sea breezes that maintain freshness. MMAD Vineyard also has a layer of ironstone pebbles beneath the sand, which contributes to the wines’ structure and complexity.
About this wine: MMAD Vineyard has Grenache planted in 1939, Shiraz planted in 1941 and Chenin Blanc from 1964. The vineyard has the fine Maslin sands found in Blewitt Springs, and is exposed to the fresh sea breezes from the south-west. Below the sand is a layer of ironstone pebbles, and this combination of sand, ironstone, and cooling winds gives both perfume and structure to the wines.
The 2024 vintage – A third consecutive wet winter and early spring left MMAD Vineyard with an ideal ful soil moisture profile. December rain (85mm) carried this through the season. A mild back half of the season was folowed by short bursts of heat in late February and mid March which brought the reds home.
Old vine Grenache is hand-picked and fermented in separate parcels mostly large format French oak fermenters and Italian concrete tulips. Extended time on skins post fermentation, before a gentle basket press into old puncheons and demi-muids.
The nose is bursting with fresh cherries and florals with more complex, red fruit flavours on the plush mid-palate. Fine mineral tannins add complexity and structure.
WINNER -Best Australian Grenache Trophy at the 2026 International Wine Challenge (IWC), one of the most highly entered and competitive wine shows in the world. They scored it 96 points – “The Grenache revival continues. This has fragrant red fruits, crushed raspberries and strawberries with a flecking of sweet biscuit, plus a dash of herb leaf, and tannins that are classy and mouthwatering.”
98 points, Shanteh Wale, Wine Pilot “MMAD red wines have a whole new groove and by that I mean they are now sealed under Diam closure, and what a win that is for those that are lucky enough to own a Coravin because this sure is a wine to be savoured each and every sip. Holy heavenly aromas batman, this is seduction in a glass. Tea rose, sweet pea and framboise rise from the glass, followed by an evocative turn into a Chinese tea shop: oolong, burdock root and fine spice. There’s an otherworldly finesse on the palate, where silty, time-worn tannins settle into place with quiet authority. Acidity pulls back like a gathering tide before surging forward with freshness and energy, giving the wine both tension and lift. The fruit and shape reminds you of its Grenache but not like anything you have had before. This is truly special in every way. What to drink with this, well stewed game meats would work nicely but I would be inclined to go for Chinese pork floss milk buns whilst you fall into a soft couch in total happiness. Remarkable wine.”
97+ points, Marcus Ellis, Halliday Wine Companion “This is in excellent form – duskily floral, mineral, with old-vine depth and balance, silky, plush in the right way through the mid-palate, bunch notes adding ultra-subtle spice and chewy tannin to the sandy, silty skin tannin. There’s something about the fruit, off those ’39 vines on sandy soils, that is so distinctive, with deep blue and purple florals, sultry and spicy, dark red fruits, ripe but weightless. There are also blue fruit tones and a maritime, iodine quality, an iron oxide note present but not dominant. The aroma is showstopping but not showy. In fact, it took me some time to taste the wine, such is the allure; but the palate confirms that this is likely the best release yet. “
95 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front “Cherry, raspberry, a dried flower and aniseed perfume, spice, nori and salted pistachio. It’s medium-bodied, red fruit and cherry, a fine sandy and dusty tannin grip, black olive and samphire, fresh acidity, with a crisp, saline finish of excellent length. Strawberry dusted with pepper carries on the aftertaste. Distinctive wine. A very good iteration of this wine for me.”
RRP $80 Our Special INTRO Price $64.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine – LIMITED TIME!
