My taste for Durif commenced in the late 1970s with trips to Rutherglen where it has historical connections from 1908. No other region grew the variety though later I discovered it was growing at Griffith in the Murray Basin. The climate of Australia is different to Europe, the source of our vine cuttings, and what varieties suit Australia has yet to be decided so I have a hunch Durif will be a big part of our future. This is the variety that should be used to bolster up other varieties when the vintage leaves them weak on flavour.

From 2004 we developed a feel of what we wished to achieve in the Barossa Valley the idea being to work with Shiraz Mataro and Grenache. Durif though was a background thought and circumstances allowed us to begin working with Durif by 2005. Not much was planted yet over the years has expanded. Initially we saw it as a blending option and from 2015 began to think it was worth promoting as a single variety. Good enough for Rutherglen then good enough for the Barossa Valley.

The elevation of the Barossa Valley is 200 to 300 metres while Rutherglen is 175 metres and the two districts are closer than the distant apart and geography would suggest. The final blend was with the natural partner Shiraz since the Barossa makes such high quality Shiraz.