In Paxton’s home of McLaren Vale, South Australia, our vineyards are spread across a number of sites and soil types which we manage without compromise from planting to harvest. Our mission is to produce and showcase the region’s fruit quality, varietal expression and natural diversity, particularly with Shiraz, which is now well recognised as the region’s top performing variety.
We call our approach “back to the future”. It involves combining traditional, hands-on management, integrated and complemented with modern technology. We choose to propagate vines from old pre-clonal selection vineyards to benefit from stock with a history of low-yield and high quality.
The vineyard site characteristics we target have soil profiles that allow us to perfectly control soil moisture content via irrigation, maximising fruit quality and intensity. We work with the concept of “terroir”, although we do not necessarily agree with the mystery that is often attached to the word. It can be complex but it is not magic. We consider “terroir” as the interaction between a vine, its environment and the impact of man’s management with the moisture balance of the soil being possibly the major influence.
Management techniques are varied to suit variety and style. Utilisation of techniques such as shoot thinning, leaf plucking and fruit thinning are employed to attain superior quality. Targeted crop levels for Shiraz are 6 – 8 Tonnes per hectare.
We continually strive to minimise inputs and, essentially, use only sulphur and copper on our red varieties. Trialling of bio-dynamics and non-chemical weed control is ongoing.
It is impossible to develop intimate knowledge of a vineyard in one or two years which is why our commitment to optimum quality is reflected by our long term staff and management.
McLaren Vale is considered one of the most unique and important wine growing regions in Australia today, as well as one of the most geologically diverse wine regions in the world. It is renowned for the production of super premium quality wines – particularly red wines. Its history dates back to the mid 1800’s and is world renown for the production of not just Australia’s top premium wines but also some of the best wines on a global platform.
This South Australian region, just 40 kilometers south of Adelaide, is known as ‘Sea & Vines’ which perfectly describes the essence of its favourable geographic location in the Gulf of St Vincent; its unique terroir soils, the winds, temperate, and mediterranean climate. All of these unique factors are at the core of why the region’s vineyards produce such high quality premium grapes.
Everything old is new again! Following 3 years of extensive landscaping, building renovation and revegetation, historical Landcross Farm Homestead and Cellar Door was restored to its former beauty. It also received some new additions – a vineyard and the stunning Paxton Cellar Door.
The Mediterranean varieties grown at Landcross Farm’s vineyards are Grenache, Mataro and Tempranillo.
A commanding and regal vineyard. Every vineyard has its story and this one is out of this world. Thomas Block is named after the previous owners, who incidentally, are the grand-parents of South Australian astronaut Andy Thomas. The low lying site where this vineyard sits is one of the coolest (cool as in climate not as in “cool dude”) McLaren Vale sites which produces fruit of exceptional natural balance and flavour.
The flagship EJ block sits in the back left corner of Thomas Block Vineyard, the oldest vines in which were planted in 1887. This one of the oldest surviving vineyards in the region, still on original rootstock, and the vineyard is one of only of five planted in the 1800s – collectively known as the McLaren Vale Icons of Wine.
This old vines vineyard is named after the previous owner of the property – Doug Jones. A well-loved character who was the local McLaren Vale pharmacist, Doug also purchased a prime site and developed what has become one of the best-known red variety vineyards in the region. Today we carefully hand prune and thin them to ensures the low and uniform yield required for super premium Shiraz. Our Paxton Shiraz comes from this vineyard. The Shiraz vines – along with Cabernet vines – were planted in 1965. Tempranillo plantings followed in 2015, 2017 and 2021. Doug would be proud!
When is a Quandong Farm not a Quandong Farm? When it’s part of Paxton Vineyards.
Fully aware of the premium placed on land used for vineyards, David told the real estate agent he bought the land from that he intended to plant Quandong trees. As history has it, the Quandong trees have turned out to look suspiciously similar to Shiraz vines and the fruit they bear is just perfect for producing wine. How lucky is that?
With commanding views across St Vincent’s Gulf and the valley, there is no better place from which to cast your eye across McLaren Vale than 19th Vineyard. Originally a golf course, the aptly named 19th vineyard is planted with a variety of Shiraz clones on predominantly deep sands which typically yield fruit in the more floral (think violets) spectrum than the powerful fruit-driven wines from the heavier soils. Another superior site which compliments the current suite of Paxton vineyards.
We thought long and hard about a name for this vineyard. It’s sits at the entrance to the McLaren Vale township, atop a hill with spectacular views of the majestic Adelaide Hills, the tranquil Gulf of St Vincent and everything in between. Gateway just seemed perfect. The unusual amount of limestone rock in the ground in this vineyard (unusual for McLaren Vale) has seen it produce some very unique fruit.
Paxton Vineyards is a certified member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. Sustainable practices help nurture the land and pass it on in a better condition, creating value and security for generations to come.
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OPENING HOURS:
7 days a week, 10am – 5pm
Tastings available daily –
bookings preferred
Phone: (08) 8323 9131
Email: wine@paxtonwines.com
68 Wheaton Road, McLaren Vale
South Australia 5171
PAXTON SOCIAL WINE CLUB
Phone: 0400 863 400
Email: janet@paxtonwines.com