The Munda project is led by Wirangu man Paul Vandenbergh, known in his other life as an NBL player and working within the AFL in Aboriginal programs and diversity talent managing. Vandenbergh also runs Wanna Mar, an Indigenous-owned-and-operated fishing company and he founded the not for profit Tjindu Foundation which focuses on opportunity making for younger gen Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people. Munda will work in conjunction with Tjindu to invest in Indigenous talent in wine. Watch this space.

Vandenbergh saw an opportunity in wine to acknowledge and broadcast Aboriginal country in a meaningful way – while an increasing number of wine labels are acknowledging Aboriginal country, Munda aims to be at the forefront of this and tell the stories of the country from which the wines emerge. So far, Munda has collaborated with Cirillo Estate (Ngadjuri and Peramangk Country/Barossa Valley) and Chalk Hill Wines (Kaurna/McLaren Vale), with this produced by Renae Hirsch at Chalk Hill. The wines are officially released in March 2023.

Mellow, supple and medium weight red, dark fruited, plummy, peppery and sweet spicy. Strong and rich perfume, gentler flavours with a sense of purity and gentle winemaking application. The tannins are lithe, feathery and lend shape, the finish a little scratchy with lemony acidity but overall refreshing and bright. A premium feel with a sense of understatement. Appealing.

92 points, The Wine Front (December 2022)