Samuel's Gorge

Justin McNamee founded Samuel's Gorge in 2003 after working as a winemaker at Tatachilla and gaining experience in the Yarra Valley. The winery is based in a historic farm shed built in 1853, which originally belonged to the Seaview Homestead and was once owned by Sir Samuel Way. This building sits on a high ridge that offers views of the Onkaparinga River National Park to the north and the ocean to the south. The historical site was previously used for various agricultural purposes, including a dairy and a meat curing room, before its conversion into a winemaking facility. The operation remains privately owned and maintains a focus on small batch production within the McLaren Vale region.

The winery sources fruit from a network of local growers across different sub regions of McLaren Vale. This approach allows the winemaking team to work with a diverse range of soil types, including the sands of Blewitt Springs and heavier clays found in the southern parts of the vale. Production takes place in a compact, open air winery that uses traditional equipment. The process includes the use of old slate fermenters lined with beeswax and a manual basket press. Indigenous yeasts are used to start long and slow ferments that encourage the development of texture. Most of the red wines are aged in seasoned French oak hogsheads to preserve the primary fruit characteristics and ensure they are not overwhelmed by new wood.

Samuel's Gorge is associated with red wines made from Rhone and Mediterranean varieties. Its signature offerings include Grenache, Shiraz, and Mourvèdre, alongside Spanish grapes like Tempranillo and Graciano. The producer has earned a reputation for a style that emphasizes silkiness and balance over heavy extraction or excessive ripeness. In addition to the core varietal range, the winery produces experimental small parcel reds under the Piñata People label. These wines often reflect the rugged landscape surrounding the cellar door and the individual personality of each vintage. The estate is a significant participant in the contemporary movement of McLaren Vale producers focusing on varietals suited to the Mediterranean climate of South Australia.