From Vine To Glass: Millon Wines Reimagine Authentic Wine

WORDS: Sofia Lund PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied

Setting the tone in authenticity, Millon Wines are the award-winning, family-owned wine producers located in the renowned wine regions of Barossa Valley, Eden Valley and Clare Valley; a trifecta of vineyards that infuse new technologies with old-world traditions. A purposeful story that goes far beyond exceptional wine – but supports the greater good – each Millon Wines vineyard captures the essence of its region, delivering distinctive wines with complex flavour profiles in small batches, a minimalistic approach that allows the fruit to speak for itself.

Built on the ethos “good wines are made, great wines are grown”, Head Winemaker Angus Wardlow facilitates a hands-on approach that begins with the soil, starting with the perfect plot of land. Each grape varietal is then carefully selected to match the vineyards’ unique soil and climate conditions, ensuring that the grapes develop to their full potential. Handling the fruit gently, preserving beautiful whole berries to minimise bruising and unwanted oxidation, resulting in wines with great purity and balance, whilst not over extracting from the skins and seeds.

Since releasing their first vintage in 2014, Millon Wines have invested deeply into their viticultural infrastructure and sustainable practices, significantly improving the quality of the grapes across each unique vineyard. Proving authentic wine is made by the producers who are willing to put in the years to determine what works and what doesn’t, every bottle of wine reflects the region and the passion of the winemaker, and each vintage tells a different story as a new harvest produces unique characteristics, variety, and interest in every bottle.

“I constantly endeavour to ensure that I capture the fruit characteristics of the vineyard, and of the variety that I’m making. I wish to encapsulate those characteristics, refine those characteristics, not overpower them with oak or other winemaking influences, but to let the fruit come forward.” said Angus Wardlow, Head Winemaker.

Offering an expansive wine selection with a diverse range of varietals to suit every palate, the Millon Wines are elegant and an honest expression of flavour with regionally distinct grapes that tell the story of the land. The Millon Wines range features an extensive selection of reds – including Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Merlot, Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Tempranillo, whites – including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Grigio, as well as Moscato ranging in price from $18.00 – $55.00.

 

2021 The Impressionist Pinot Grigio

$18.00

Pale straw with just a hint of varietal blush. Lifted notes of pear, lychee, and hints of lemon zest. The palate displays ripe pears, lychee, and lime juice. This textural, perfumed wine finishes with crisp, refreshing acidity.

Technical Notes

Vintage: 2021
Variety: 100% Pinot Grigio
Region: Eden Valley, South Australia
Alcohol: 13%
Cellaring: This wine can be enjoyed now or until 2026

Awards

DOUBLE GOLD- 2022 Melbourne International Wine Competition
GOLD- 2021 Australian Small Winemakers Show
SILVER- 2021 ANZ Boutique Wine Show
SILVER- 2021 Melbourne Royal Wine Show
BRONZE- 2021 Perth Royal Wine Show
BRONZE- 2023 Halliday Companion
BRONZE- 2022 Cairns Show Wine Awards

Winemaking

Sourced from our cool, high-elevation vineyard in Eden Valley, this fruit was picked and delivered to the winery in the cool of the night. Gently pressed, it was then cold settled for 48 hours before being racked off the lees. Fermented at cool temperatures with a small number of solids. The wine was fermented dry, slightly fined then filtered before bottling.

Winemaker’s Notes

Eden Valley produces beautiful and highly desirable Pinot Grigio fruit, the 2021 Pinot Grigio is rounded in style, bright and aromatic, with a beautiful, textured mouthfeel.

Food Matching

Grilled seafood, creamy fettuccine carbonara, fresh oysters.

 

 

2021 The Impressionist Tempranillo

$18.00

Bright purple hues with lifted and punchy fruit aromatics of dark plums and mulberries are complemented by underlying notes of dried herbs and spice. The medium-weight palate is layered with red berries and mulberries and finishes with bright fruit acidity and fine silky tannins.

Vegan Friendly

Technical Notes

VARIETY: 100% Tempranillo
VINTAGE: 2021
REGION: Barossa, Eden Valley
ALCOHOL: 13.5%
CELLARING: This wine can be enjoyed now or until 2026

Awards

SILVER- 2021 Australian Small Winemakers Show
BRONZE- 2022 Cairns Wine Show
BRONZE- 2023 Halliday Companion
BRONZE- 2022 Sydney Royal Wine Show

Winemaking

This 2021 Eden Valley Tempranillo originates from our Pewsey Vale vineyard with an elevation of 550 metres. All fruits were gently destemmed, not crushed and tipped directly into open top fermenters. The fruits were then held at 10 – 15 degree for 3 days before allowing to warm and start fermentation. After 8 days on skins and pumped over twice daily, the wines were pressed into 100% seasoned French oak hogsheads, where they matured for 6 months. No finning or filtration was used on these wines.

Winemaker’s Notes

The Eden Tempranillo is a lighter style of wine, leaning closer to a Pinot Noir than a Shiraz, with more elegant and delicate flavours. The 2021 The Impressionist Tempranillo is beautifully lifted, complex and concentrated, yet balanced with stunning savoury flavours and a rich, textural mouthfeel

Food Matching

Beef lasagne, seafood paella, smoked chorizos.

 

 

2021 The Impressionist Pinot Noir

$18.00

Bright red hues with enticing aromas of cherries and strawberry are complemented with a delicate hint of spice. This well-balanced, lighter-bodied wine is complex on the palate with red fruit and cherries underscored by herbal and savoury elements, finishing with soft tannins.

Vegan Friendly

Technical Notes

VARIETY: 100% Pinot Noir
VINTAGE: 2021
REGION: Barossa, Eden Valley
ALCOHOL: 13.5%
CELLARING: This wine can be enjoyed now or until 2026

Awards

GOLD – 2022 Melbourne International Wine Competition
GOLD- 2022 Cairns Wine Show
SILVER- 2021 Australian Small Winemakers Show
BRONZE- 2023 Halliday Companion

Winemaking

This 2021 Eden Valley Pinot Noir originates from our Pewsey Vale vineyard with an elevation of 550 metres. All fruits were destemmed, not crushed and tipped into open top fermenters, leaving 30% whole bunch clusters. The fruits were then held at 10-15 degree Celsius for 3 days before allowing to warm and start fermentation. After 8 days on skins and pumped over twice daily, the wines were pressed into 100% seasoned French oak puncheons, where they matured for 6 months. No fining or filtration was used on this wine.

Winemaker’s Notes

This beautiful Eden Valley Pinot Noir has savoury textural elements and just a hint of oak influence. This brighter and more fruit-driven style of Pinot is truly unique and something you don’t see often.

Food Matching

Truffle & mushroom risotto, spiced duck confit, garlic baked pork tenderloin.

 

 

2022 Clare’s Secret Grenache Rosé

$20.00

This elegant Rosé displaying pale pink hues has been made using 100% Grenache grapes from our Clare Valley vineyard. Aromas of wild strawberry and pomegranate with a touch of savoury spice give way to a textural palate of fresh-cut strawberries, delicate citrus notes and a refreshingly crisp finish.

Technical Notes

Variety: 100% Grenache
Vintage: 2022
Region: Armagh, Clare Valley, South Australia
Alcohol: 12.5%
Cellaring: This wine can be enjoyed now or until 2027.

Awards

97 Points (4.5 Stars) – 2022 Winestate Magazine
SILVER- 2022 Melbourne International Wine Competition
BRONZE – 2022 Royal Perth Wine Show

Winemaking

This small parcel of Single Vineyard Clare Valley Rosé was pressed directly off skins within 2 hours of harvesting to achieve our desired colour. It was then cold settled for 48 hours. Fermenting at cool temperatures with a small amount of solids allowed us to create this textural perfumed wine. The wine was fermented dry, filtered and bottled.

Winemaker’s Notes

Made with 100% Clare Valley Grenache that is picked early vintage, in the optimal conditions for its type and style. The 2022 Grenache Rose is an elegant wine that is light, dry but beautifully well-rounded.

Food Matching

Rocket salad with pear and shaved parmesan in balsamic dressing, crackling pork belly.

 

 

2020 Estate Shiraz

$27.00

This single-vineyard Shiraz comes from our Eden Valley estate in the rolling hills of Pewsey Vale. This wine is delicately balanced and well-structured. A fine expression of Eden Valley Shiraz.

Vegan Friendly

Technical Notes

Variety: 100% Shiraz
Region: Barossa, EdenValley
Alcohol: 14.5%
Vintage: 2020
Cellaring: This wine can be enjoyed now or until 2030

Awards

GOLD – 2022 Melbourne International Wine Competition
97 POINTS (4.5 STARS) – 2022 Winestate Magazine
SILVER – 2021 ANZ Boutique Wine Show:
BRONZE – 2021 Australian Small Winemakers Show
BRONZE – 2022 Cairns Show Wine Awards

Winemaking

This single vineyard Shiraz comes from our Eden Valley estate in the rolling hills of Pewsey Vale with an elevation of 550 metres. All fruits were destemmed, not crushed and gently tipped into open top fermenters. The fruits were then held at 10 – 15 degree Celsius for 3 days before allowing to warm and start fermentation. After 10 days on skins and pumped over twice daily, the wines were pressed into 20% new, 80% seasoned French oak hogsheads, where they matured for 15 months.

Winemaker’s Notes

The 2020 Estate Shiraz is a classic Eden Valley styled Shiraz that is sure to please any red wine lover. This wine has beautiful, lifted violets on the nose and quite a bit of oak influence that drives it to the next level.

Food Matching

Smoked beef brisket, roasted rack of lamb with crushed potatoes.

 

 

2021 Estate Riesling

$27.00

Picked at the cool of night, the fruit was then pressed directly off skins. Using only the best free-run juice. Pale straw in colour with lifted floral notes of intense lime and lemon aromas. The same citrus notes are echoed on the palate, accompanied by alluring minerality. A well-balanced wine with a crisp natural acidity typical of exceptional Eden Valley Riesling.

Vegan Friendly

Technical Notes

Variety: 100% Riesling
Region: Barossa, Eden Valley
Vintage: 2021
Alcohol: 12%
Cellaring: This wine can be enjoyed now or until 2031

Awards

SILVER- 2022 Royal Queensland Wine Awards
BRONZE- 2022 Cairns Show Wine Awards
BRONZE- 2023 Halliday Companion
BRONZE- 2021 ANZ Boutique Wine Show
BRONZE- 2021 Perth Royal Wine Show
BRONZE- 2021 Royal Adelaide Wine Show

Winemaking

This single vineyard Riesling comes from our Eden Valley estate in the rolling hills of Pewsey Vale with an elevation of 550 metres. Picked at the cool of night, the fruit was pressed directly off skins using only the best free-run juice. Fermenting at cool temperatures allowed us to create a perfumed and delicate wine. This wine was only slightly finned, filtered and bottled to perfection.

Winemaker’s Notes

The 2021 Estate Riesling is a classic Eden Valley style Riesling. Dry, with beautiful acidity and a fresh and crisp mouthfeel. An elegant wine that is ready to drink now but will also age well over time.

Food Matching

Grilled fresh seafood medley, sushi & sashimi or aglio e olio.