The Brain child of David Gleave MW, founder and owner of UK Importer Liberty Wines, and industry veteran and former managing director of Oddbins and Aussie wine devotee John Ratcliffe. Willunga 100 was conceived from their perception that Aussie wines had lost their way somewhat from the dizzying heights it saw in the hay days of the 1980’s and 90’s. They wanted to put the value and quality back into the bottle of mid-priced Aussie wines and thus Willunga 100 was conceived in 2005.
We like to think of ourselves as the “new kids on the block” when it comes to our modern McLaren Vale style, with an aim to capture the essence of the region by making wines that inject quality, excitement and value back in the bottle. They are approachable, well put together wines. As Matthew Jukes has quoted – “if only life was as joyous and worry free as Willunga 100!” Based in the premium growing region of McLaren Vale, South Australia we source our fruit from vines with an average age of 50 years. Given the proximity of the region to the coast (Gulf of St Vincent) McLaren Vale has a climate not unlike the Mediterranean, warm days moderated by cooling sea breezes, combined with ancient soils lending its self to be one of the most exceptional grape growing regions in Australia.
Where does the name Willunga 100 come from?
The term “hundred” originates from late Saxon and Norman England. It was an administrative unit of government, meaning that 100+ households had to live in the area to qualify for its place on the map. Just as the McLaren Vale district was divided up into 100's, or small lots, we select our fruit from such parcels. Much of our best fruit comes from the area that once was the Hundred of Willunga. Other sub-regions we source from is the exceptional Blewitt Springs area which is synonymous for old vine Grenache, the Willunga Foot Hills, Seaview, Sellicks Hill and Clarendon. The Tree on our label is an old river red gum that towers over the vineyards.
What do we get excited about?
Apart from the hope of winning lotto, landing that big Tuna that "didn’t get away" and actually winning a Jimmy Watson (not just being a finalist….twice). Our passion is Grenache. We know you shouldn't name your favourtie child, but lets be honest everyone has one and Grenache is ours. McLaren Vale is an exceptional region for this variety and this is reflected in us having 4 individual Grenache wines in our portfolio. Viva le Grenache!
Did you know...
Willunga 100 was a Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy finalist two years running for the 2010 Willunga 100 McLaren Vale Grenache in 2011 and the 2010 Willunga 100 McLaren Vale Shiraz Viognier in 2012.
- Tim James, Chief Winemaker