Many years down the track after both finalising our chosen careers, Helen as a primary school teacher and me as a retail executive we retired ready for a new challenge together. Meanwhile, midway into our Barossa life (1996) we fell in love with a small 12 acre property just outside of Nuriootpa at Light Pass. The Germanic high pitched roof of the 1870’s cottage, the beautiful stands of mature cor
k elms and the abundant fruit trees lining our North Para River boundary sold us! In 2003 after taking seven years to clear a slaughter house, piggery, stock yard and chicken shed from our little patch we planted our Alicante Bouschet vineyard. We loved the viticultural experience and found our rural transformation a welcoming homecoming for our now adult children and their families. It appears however that we are slow learners as it has taken eighteen years from our initial settling into 700 Research Road Light Pass for us to release our first home block wine. We are delighted with our first limited release vintage 2014 with a wine that captures perfectly our perception of Alicante Bouschet at its best. With the guidance of our talented consultant winemaker, Jo Irvine, we present to you McArthur Park Alicante Bouschet 2014. As the back label advises the wine is a light and easy style, not sweet, and not dry, a balanced mouthful of zesty ripe cherries, best served chilled.
