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Ox Hardy 1891 Ancestor Vine Shiraz, McLaren Vale

Ox Hardy 1891 Ancestor Vine Shiraz is borne from the old vines of the Hardy family’s famed Upper Tintara vineyard. Planted in 1891, the quality and quantity of their yield belies their age. Andrew ‘Ox’ Hardy has taken full advantage of these incredible vines, creating this wine – a drinkable showcase of exactly what this incredible vineyard has to offer.

Lavish and powerful, this wine is rich with black and purple fruits. Full of body, and incredibly long, it nevertheless finishes with remarkable freshness. A standout McLaren Vale Shiraz that harks back to a celebrated history, while looking forward to what can only be a promising future.

Region McLaren Vale

The McLaren Vale wine region is located between the Mount Lofty Ranges and the Gulf of St Vincent just South of Adelaide in South Australia. Historically it was John Reynell who established Chateau Reynella in 1838, and Thomas Hardy who purchased the historic Tintara in 1876, that kick started the development of the McLaren Vale wine industry. The climate is generally considered warm, although different aspects, altitude and the effect of the cooling ocean breezes moderate the climate within the different sub-regions of the Vale. A large number of soil types are present, although red-brown loams dominate. The biggest viticultural challenge is the potential for drought and the overall lack of water. Full bodied, robust and plush reds typify the McLaren Vale style. Plantings are dominated by Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, with smaller plantings of whites including Semillon, and Chardonnay. More recent plantings of Mediterranean varieties particularly suited to the climate, including Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Mourvedre, Savagnin and Fiano have also been very successful.