Once shunned, now prized: why grenache has become highly valued
South Australia’s old vineyards of this type were overlooked and undervalued. Today they’re in demand. From the upcoming Culinary & Travel issue, out on June 30.
When Vincent Cirillo bought 20 acres of land in the Barossa Valley in 1969, he was more interested in the four-bedroom house and the chicken pens and fruit trees than the dilapidated grape vines planted there.
“This part of South Australia reminded Dad of his home in Calabria,” says son Marco as we walk through those old vines. “And this property made sense to an old-school Italian: mixed farming with a bit of vineyard. He didn’t realise exactly what a treasure he’d bought.”
Max AllenDrinks columnistMax Allen is The Australian Financial Review's drinks columnist. He is an award-winning journalist and author who has written about wine and drinks for close to 25 years. Connect with Max on Twitter. Email Max at max@maxallen.com.au
