Why We’re Returning to Cork

A story of tradition, technology, and trust

There’s something deeply nostalgic about opening a bottle under cork. The gentle resistance, the soft pop, the ritual of it, it’s a moment that slows you down and connects you to the wine in a different way. And for us, that feeling has always lingered in the background.

We’ve loved cork since the beginning of our Yelland & Papps journey back in 2005. But like many small producers, we had concerns. The risk of cork taint (TCA), the uncertainty in consistency—these held us back. We needed to know that what we loved emotionally could also deliver technically. That confidence has taken time.

But today, we’re thrilled to say: it’s here.

A Decision Years in the Making

Michael and I have talked about this for years—how cork could be a beautiful, fitting progression for our wines, especially those in our Single Vineyard range. These are the wines that capture everything we stand for: provenance, site, balance, and restraint. They deserve a closure that honours that story.

And then, along came Henri.

Henri is our Amorim Cork representative—someone as passionate about closures as we are about old vines and basket pressing. He introduced us to QORK XPUR, Amorim’s latest advancement: a micro-granulated cork with zero risk of cork taint, consistent oxygen control, and a negative carbon footprint.

That was the moment our conversation shifted from “maybe someday” to “let’s do this.”

Why Cork, and Why Now?

We’ve always believed that great wines evolve, just as people do. A thoughtful cork allows for that gentle, natural evolution in bottle. But this decision is about more than just maturation—it’s about alignment.

Cork aligns with our values:

  • No more TCA – QORK XPUR technology guarantees no trace of cork taint
  • Sustainable at every level – Cork is plastic-free, recyclable, and harvested from trees that live over 200 years
  • Carbon negative – The cork industry stores more carbon than it emits
  • Elevated perception – In export markets especially, cork still signals craft and quality
  • Ecological importance – Cork forests are biodiversity hotspots—one of only 36 globally

This isn’t just a packaging change. It’s a return to something tactile, timeless, and now—thanks to innovation—entirely trustworthy.

A New Chapter for Our Single Vineyard Wines

All Yelland & Papps Single Vineyard wines from the 2024 vintage onward will be bottled under QORK XPUR. This is a confident step forward—not only for the quality in your glass, but for the kind of sustainable future we want to be part of.

We’re proud of this evolution. It reflects how far we’ve come, how much we’ve learned, and how seriously we take the privilege of growing, making, and bottling wine here in the Barossa Valley.

Want to Know More?

If you’re curious about cork closures, their environmental impact, or why we’ve made this move now, we encourage you to explore Amorim Cork’s website. Or simply reach out—we love a good conversation about the details behind every bottle.

Thank you for continuing to share this journey with us.

Susan & Michael Papps
Yelland & Papps – Barossa Valley