Willunga 100 | McLaren Vale

Willunga 100 has focused on premium Grenache since its first vintage in 2005. It was the sensitivity to site that Grenache displays in McLaren Vale, that attracted owners David Gleave MW and John Ratcliffe during their first recce to the region. They became determined to showcase the old vine Grenache they came across in vineyard after vineyard, particularly at a time when few took this grape seriously.

McLaren Vale has great geological diversity from sub-region to sub-region, and the soils are among the oldest in the world estimated at over 500 million years. This, along with the mediterranean climate and old vines, combine to produce low yields and stunning, concentrated fruit.

Willunga 100 takes their name from the historic ‘Hundred’ of Willunga that was established in 1839, only three years after the settlement of South Australia. At the time, 100 households were needed to occupy an area in order to qualify for a place on the map, this was called a ‘Hundred’. Today, the Hundred of Willunga is where much of the fruit comes from to make their wines. The tree featured on the bottles is an old River Red Gum that stands tall over the vineyards. It was well over a hundred years old when the first vines were planted in Australia in the 1840’s.

In late 2022 Renae Hirsch took over in the winery. A highly accomplished winemaker, she brings a wealth of experience and a passion for McLaren Vale Grenache.