For us we didn’t want to produce a weighted Grenache Shiraz blend, but a thirst quenching wine that sits easily in your drinking requirements for summer reds and also something that is easily drinkable on all occasions.
When Michael and I first started making wine in 2005 we were passionate about making wines we actually loved, and in 2006 we found that Grenache took over from our passion of Shiraz very quickly.
In 2006 we made our first Grenache, and I remember when this wine was released we had to twist peoples arms to try it. Once they did, most actually liked Grenache, but it was hard. We persisted because this is a grape varietal that we fall more in love with as vintages go by…….
In 2009 we produced a Grenache Shiraz blend, like most Barossa producers at the time and the focus was still for consumers the Shiraz component and the Grenache varietal seemed to get over looked. For us we thought this was the most exciting part of this wine and really deserved more recognition than it seemed to get.
In 2010 we again produced this blend and it wasn’t until vintage 2011, that we decided to change the name of our blend to ‘Vin De Soif’ which roughly translates to ‘Thirst of Wine’.
For us we didn’t want to produce a weighted Grenache Shiraz blend, but a thirst quenching wine that sits easily in your drinking requirements for summer reds and also something that is easily drinkable on all occasions. 2011 saw for us a comfort-ability on letting the vintage show us what it can do, and although it has been claimed to be a very difficult vintage here in the Barossa, it stretched us to more capabilities and showed us an elegance that we really loved. 2011 Vin De Soif in this house, is a favourite vintage for us and it shows the peeled back and raw elements that let Grenache shine. Vin De Soif is not just a Grenache blend, it is a wine that has a drink-ability, a place in our lives and a down right glugability factor. Food is not required to be consumed with Vin De Soif or does not require a fancy glass. It’s comfortably consumed from a tumbler or while you are cooking dinner or kicking back relaxing on the verandah.
For the 2013 blend, we made the decision not to include the Shiraz component, which was a big decision as a Barossa producer not to include Shiraz but it felt right and true to the style of Vin De Soif. this style really peels elements from the 2011 vintage and is in essence true to the style.
2017 vintage of Vin De Soif is a blend of 70% Grenache 25% Mataro and 5% Carignan, with some components of whole bunching brings a real lift and vibrancy to this wine. This blend is portionally different each year depending on the vintage and the blend components, but it always celebrates Grenache as the hero.Have a glass or two while rolling out your pizza dough and enjoy some Vin De Soif.
Susan and Michael Papps