Spinifex winemaker Peter Schell was named as a finalist in the Winemaker of the Year 2009 Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine.
“Opening his heart and mind to French influences has inspired this young Barossa winemaker to craft a suite of distinct, superlative wines.”
“In an age when many wines are stereotyped, Spinifex’s are a breath of fresh air, including Indigene, a shiraz mataro blend; Taureau, a blend of tempranillo and graciano with more familiar French grapes; and Lola, which combines non-aromatic varieties such as semillon, marsanne with some exotics. The wine Schell is most happy with is Esprit, a blend of southern French grapes, inspired by his time winemaking in the region.
…Schell comes across as thoughtful, even reticent, and not a self-assured promoter in that brash Australian winemaker way. He is, after all, a Kiwi! Instead, he lets his wines speak for themselves, which they do with a confident rather than loud voice.
Success may indeed be unexpected, but in Peter Schell’s case thoroughly deserved.”
Nick Bullied MW, Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine June/July 2009.
