The Old Faithful Story

McLaren Vale is home to some of the most treasured old vine plantings in the world today, with the earliest known plantings dating back into the 19th century. We affectionately refer to them as The Old Faithful. They are a resource we treasure dearly.
The Old Faithful, founded by wine mates in 2005 is an artisan producer of small quantities of exceptional wines from older, exceptional single vineyards. We look for vineyards that are expressive of McLaren Vale, the vintage and the variety and only release our wines when the wines display these finest characters. With the Rhone as its inspiration – Shiraz and Grenache grace our portfolio. Made to age gracefully, we believe in our wines and hope you can enjoy the magic of The Old Faithful.

Cafe Block Shiraz
Is in its 10th vintage release. This Shiraz (Red Tip) from a single vineyard in McLaren Flat and captures select barrels from this eponymous vineyard. This vineyard has anchored the Old Faithful project since its inception in 2005 by wine mates John Larchet and Warren Randall.
After harvesting, the grapes undergo open tank ferment slowly over a week or more. On pressing the wine was transferred to new French oak puncheons to complete fermentation and add structure to the wine and then slowly mature for complexity and tertiary expression.
Only the best barrels were selected for the final wine. Bottled with light filtration, no fining.

Region: McLaren Vale
Variety: Shiraz from Cafe Block in McLaren Flat
Oak: French oak puncheons a score or more of months
Closure: We use DIAM5 cork to provide taint free cellaring.
Winemaking: Nick Haselgrove

Shiraz (Black Tip)
The Black Tip first made in vintage 2016 is a Shiraz (our nickname is ‘Black Tip’) is blended from two expressive sites in McLaren Vale and captures not just select barrels but in the context of a regional but varietal blend.
After harvesting, the grapes undergo open tank ferment slowly over a week or more. On pressing the wine was transferred to new French oak puncheons to complete fermentation and add structure to the wine and then slowly mature for complexity and tertiary expression.
Only the best barrels were selected for the final wine. Bottled with light filtration,

Region: McLaren Vale
Variety: Shiraz from Onkaparinga and McLaren Flat
Oak: French oak puncheons for 3 score months
Closure: We use DIAM5 cork to provide taint free cellaring.
Winemaking: Nick Haselgrove

Northern Exposure Grenache (sold out)

The ‘Northern Exposure’ Grenache is sourced from dry grown vineyard planted over 80 years ago on sandy soils over siltstone, to the North of Blewitt Springs on the edge of the Onkaparinga gorge. The block’s exposure ensures optimal ripeness and pristine definition of varietal fruits, which is captured by the magic of old bush vines and traditional viticulture. Once fully and evenly ripe these grapes are harvested by hand and then gently crushed to our open fermenter. A short cold maceration helps extract fruits and tannin. Then the fermentation is allowed to get hot to extract richness and complexity. The new wine is transferred to seasoned oak for extended maturation and eventual barrel selection to produce a lovely textured wine style.

Trophy McLaren Vale Winemakers Wine Show 2016, Best 2 year old Grenache.

Vintage:2013
Region:McLaren Vale
Variety:Shiraz grown in sand over clay soil.
Oak:25% New French oak for 6 months then 34 months in large format demi-muds (600L).
Closure:We use DIAM 30 technical cork to provide taint free cellaring.
Bottled:August, 2016