Dandelion Vineyards
South Australia
Dandelion Vineyards is a unique fusion of vineyards and vignerons. Their wines represent decades of experience, blending the fruit of our heirloom vineyards with the finest traditions of artisan winemaking. Dandelion Vineyards is a combination of old vineyards, a young winemaker, and a couple of mates to help out in-between, which they believe makes for the ideal winery. Dandelion Vineyards is a member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia and is currently working towards certification.
Wines
Menagerie of the Barossa
At the end of Zar and Elena’s old vine garden path there is a historic ‘Menagerie’ of three grape varieties, with adjoining blocks of Grenache, Shiraz and Mataró. 70% Grenache, 25% Shiraz, 5% Mataró, Native fermentation, 100% whole-cluster in stainless steel, 12 months in seasoned French barriques
Pride of the Fleurieu
This Pride of the Fleurieu Cabernet was grown in the family’s pride and joy, the ‘Stranger’s Reach Vineyard’, where low rainfall and deep alluvial soils encourage Cabernet to ‘populate or perish’. Native fermentation, destemmed and crushed in stainless steel, 18 months in French barrique (20% new)
Enchanted Garden of the Eden
The "Enchanted Garden" was planted in 1910 and thrives to this day, a seven-acre Eden Valley Vine Garden lovingly tended by Sue and Stuart Woodman. Free run and pressed juices were vinified separately in small, stainless steel tanks.
Lionheart of the Barossa
Lionheart Shiraz is aptly named after Barossa's lifelong champion of old vines and Dandelion's co-founder, Carl Lindner. These ancient, gnarled vines, many over a hundred years of age, are not only surviving but thriving on their own roots in some of the oldest soils on the planet.
Legacy of Australia
The ‘Legacy of Australia’ is vigneron and lifelong champion of old vines and fortified wines, Carl Lindner, whose family has been making this wine since 1944. The grapes are picked at optimum ripeness and left to dry in the sun, after which the they're fermented and added to a solera system.
People
Elena Brooks
Founder and winemaker of Dandelion Vineyards, Elena Brooks is recognized as one of Australia’s brightest stars with her latest accolade, being crowned as Bushing Queen, at the McLaren Vale wine show 2021, for the Lion’s Tooth of McLaren Vale Shiraz Riesling.
