Greek for Aphelion means from the sun and this concept is central to Aphelion Wines winemaking philosophy. Premium, small batch, delicious wines direct from the sun to you.
Aphelion’s first vintage was 2014. They processed 1 tonne of Grenache (which is the same Grenache vineyard where they still source most of their fruit). From that one tonne winemaker Rob Mack made 4 different wines – a 100% whole berry fermented, 50/50 whole berry whole bunch fermented, pressings and a combination of the three. A second vintage and another tonne of Grenache sold out in 2015, and in 2016, they went for it and tripled production.
Image credit – Aphelion Wines
Good thing they did. In 2017, Aphelion was named in the Top 50 in Young Gun of Wine Awards and Rob took out Best New Act. Aphelion wines took off and we didn’t slow down.
Vintage 2017 they reached for the sky and bought 19 tonnes of grapes. This made new wines, Sagrantino, Mataro, Shiraz.
Aphelion produces exceptional wines like their Confluence 2019 Grenache as well as the Tendance Shiraz 2018 to name but a few.
Although they do not own vineyards or a winery of their own, they instead create lasting relationships with growers of only the most extraordinary fruit, and lease space in a winery where they have full use of facilities and equipment to craft the best wines possible. Essential to create the premium quality of Aphelion Wine.
Image credit – Aphelion Wines
McLaren Vale itself is incredibly diverse, boasting 19 different soil types and over 60% of its’ land being managed under our world leading Sustainable Winegrowing Australia program.
Grenache is a versatile grape which lends itself to many winemaking techniques such as whole bunch fermentation, extended time on skins (they keep some batches on skins for up to 4 months). The aromatics of Grenache can be stunningly complex and alluring, and the medium bodied nature means they can be approachable when quite young. The combination of the region and the variety are perfect, the Mediterranean climate of the Vale suits the ripening pattern of the variety perfectly
Rob uses minimal intervention winemaking techniques, allowing the sun’s life sustaining force to shine out of the wines. Wines that are bright and fresh.
Using a sun-driven and ancient photographic technique called cyanotype, Lou crafted the recognisable Aphelion labels. In cyanotype a flat object is placed onto a piece of photographic paper. Two natural chemicals are brushed over the object. Finally, the paper is placed under the direct midday sun for about an hour to prove. Everywhere the light touches becomes beautiful shades of cyan blue. The space under the object remains white.
Their object was a feather with the top cut off that was on Rob’s Akubra hat. In the white space of the feather they gave each wine its own personality and its own colour, which is washed over images of clouds.
Image credit – Aphelion Wines
Aphelion have added a new range, they welcomed the Welkin, a range that is drinkable, out of McLaren Vale, and experimental wines. Welkin means vault of the sky. From the sky, from the sun, they craft these beautiful bottles for you. Crafting a range of up to 12 wines.
After winning the Young Gun of Wine Award in 2018, they leapt into the sun with both feet and now work with 32-35 tonnes of grapes a year.
Winning McLaren Vale’s Best Small Producer in 2019 gave them confidence that they were on the right trajectory.
Each with its’ own personality, its own deliciously sunny story to tell in your nose and mouth. Let the sunshine in and give them a try.
Image credit – Aphelion Wines
