Jenny Gardner & Col McBride’s Adelina Vignerons is established upon a very special vineyard on Wendouree Rd East in the Clare Valley’s Springfarm sub-region. The vineyard came into Jen’s Family when her father, Will Gardner bought the property in the 1980s. 40 years later the vineyard still remains a family business.

The wines are taut and fresh, with a style that is distinctly South Australian. Where the Clare tends to be known for Big Wine, Adelina are genuine vingerons; a thoughtful family project that operates in a dynamic that affectionately aligns with their immediate, old vine neighbours, Wendouree & Aberfeldy and with the more modernly styled wines of the likes of a range of small family owned labels from the Clare Valley & Adelaide Hills. The Rieslings are precise and classic, the reds robust and regionally expressive while moderate in alcohol and holding a focus on site expression over style.

With original plantings in 1915 (Shiraz & PX) and subsequent plantings in the 1940’s (Grenache) and again planting more recently. the vineyard is truly an old vine South Australian treasure and is now one of only three certified organic vineyards in the Clare. While the vine age is enviable, Col insists that it’s the soil that is king.

Since the first commercial release of Adelina Jenny & Col have converted the vineyard to organic farming 20 years ago and have greatly extended plantings & grafted across onto old vines. The recent plantings & grafted material is comprised of a range of varieties chosen for their relevance to producing a true field blend. Fruit is still sold to neighbouring producers but the focus of the last few years has been to grow the volume of estate wine produced.

Striking a thoughtful balance with the estate work, Adelina’s negoce wines are, on the whole, an exercise in presenting classic Clare Valley & beyond wine culture through the lens of the small, idiosyncratic producer. The Estate & negoce Clare Valley wines are supplemented fruit from McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills, ranging from sites certified organic to conventional farming.