Region: McLaren Vale
Sub Region: Blewitt Springs
Variety: Grenache
Country: Australia
Vintage: 2024
The Wine
Ovitelli is one of Yangarra’s three pinnacle single-vineyard Grenaches and perhaps the purest expression of the estate’s remarkable old-vine sands. It comes from Block 30, a two-hectare parcel of dry-grown bush vines planted in 1946, immediately beside the High Sands block at approximately 205 metres elevation. The deep weathered sands of Blewitt Springs naturally restrict vigour and produce Grenache of fragrance, fine tannin and remarkable transparency rather than simple power.
The real distinction is what happens after harvest. The fruit was hand-picked, selectively berry sorted, completely destemmed and crushed directly into 675-litre ceramic eggs. Fermentation takes place in ceramic with gentle hand plunging, followed by an extraordinary three months on skins. No pressings are used and there is no oak whatsoever; the wine remains in ceramic egg for a total of 11 months before bottling.
It is a fascinating approach to Grenache. Extended skin contact provides structure and savoury detail, while ceramic allows the wine to breathe without contributing any flavour of its own. The result is markedly different from richer, oak-matured Australian Grenache: lifted florals, red berries, spice and earthy mineral notes carried by finely etched tannin and freshness.
The 2024 season brought a warm finish after useful summer rainfall, giving excellent fruit intensity without sacrificing purity. Ovitelli has the amplitude of the year, but the ceramic élevage draws everything into a remarkably focused, tightly framed wine.
Its quality has now been emphatically recognised: Ovitelli 2024 was named Grenache of the Year at the 2027 Halliday Wine Companion Awards, the third time Yangarra has taken the Grenache title.
Cellared Says
This is a brilliant example of where Australian Grenache is heading. Ovitelli isn’t chasing power or sweetness; it is about perfume, texture and incredibly fine tannin. The old bush vines give it depth, but the long ceramic fermentation keeps the wine transparent and energetic. At this level of quality, it remains exceptional value.
Reviews
“The wine is a pure and exacting expression of variety and region.”
98 Points – Halliday Wine Companion
2027 Grenache of the Year
“The wine looks both supple and tightly coiled… This is a super wine.”
97 Points – Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Region: McLaren Vale
Sub Region: Blewitt Springs
Variety: Grenache
Country: Australia
Vintage: 2024
The Wine
Ovitelli is one of Yangarra’s three pinnacle single-vineyard Grenaches and perhaps the purest expression of the estate’s remarkable old-vine sands. It comes from Block 30, a two-hectare parcel of dry-grown bush vines planted in 1946, immediately beside the High Sands block at approximately 205 metres elevation. The deep weathered sands of Blewitt Springs naturally restrict vigour and produce Grenache of fragrance, fine tannin and remarkable transparency rather than simple power.
The real distinction is what happens after harvest. The fruit was hand-picked, selectively berry sorted, completely destemmed and crushed directly into 675-litre ceramic eggs. Fermentation takes place in ceramic with gentle hand plunging, followed by an extraordinary three months on skins. No pressings are used and there is no oak whatsoever; the wine remains in ceramic egg for a total of 11 months before bottling.
It is a fascinating approach to Grenache. Extended skin contact provides structure and savoury detail, while ceramic allows the wine to breathe without contributing any flavour of its own. The result is markedly different from richer, oak-matured Australian Grenache: lifted florals, red berries, spice and earthy mineral notes carried by finely etched tannin and freshness.
The 2024 season brought a warm finish after useful summer rainfall, giving excellent fruit intensity without sacrificing purity. Ovitelli has the amplitude of the year, but the ceramic élevage draws everything into a remarkably focused, tightly framed wine.
Its quality has now been emphatically recognised: Ovitelli 2024 was named Grenache of the Year at the 2027 Halliday Wine Companion Awards, the third time Yangarra has taken the Grenache title.
Cellared Says
This is a brilliant example of where Australian Grenache is heading. Ovitelli isn’t chasing power or sweetness; it is about perfume, texture and incredibly fine tannin. The old bush vines give it depth, but the long ceramic fermentation keeps the wine transparent and energetic. At this level of quality, it remains exceptional value.
Reviews
“The wine is a pure and exacting expression of variety and region.”
98 Points – Halliday Wine Companion
2027 Grenache of the Year
“The wine looks both supple and tightly coiled… This is a super wine.”
97 Points – Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
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