Spinifex Sol Solice Grenache 2023

This is the second release of Sol Solice, a wine that captures the best of Spinifex’s Grenache in a given season. The inaugural release caused quite a stir, and the 2023 looks set to continue that trend. In 2023, the fruit was sourced from three vineyards: Spinifex’s own Rostein Vineyard high in the Eden Valley; the mature Neldner Vineyard in Seppeltsfield; and Saleyards Vineyard in the foothills of the Eastern Ridge between Barossa and Eden valleys. The three hectares of Grenache in Rostein Vineyard were planted in 2018. At 490 metres above sea level, Pete says it’s the highest Grenache block in South Australia. These are all organically managed, dry-grown sites, and the farming is done by hand. Vine age ranges from six to 60 years old.

All the fruit was picked by hand. Three-quarters of the fruit was destemmed and fermented in a combination of small, open-top vessels and terracotta amphora for two weeks. The balance fermented as bunches for six weeks. After pressing, the wine matured in seasoned wood for 11 months before bottling without fining or filtration.