IN PRAISE OF SHADOWS

Inspired by Jun’ichirō Tanizaki’s celebrated essay In Praise of Shadows, In Praise of Shadows (IPOS) is a thoughtful wine project founded by Brett Trewartha and brought to life in collaboration with consultant winemaker Rob Mack.

At its heart is the belief that great wine should express character rather than conform to a formula. The name itself suggests that beauty lies not in obvious brightness or power, but in subtlety, nuance, mystery and restraint. Just as shadows reveal depth and atmosphere, these wines seek to communicate emotion rather than simple fruit intensity.

Since joining IPOS in 2019, Rob Mack has become the winemaking voice helping translate this philosophy into the bottle. One of Australia’s most respected winemaking talents, Rob brings creativity, precision and a deep understanding of McLaren Vale’s unique terroir. Working closely with Brett, he helps shape wines that are fine-boned, energetic and expressive, guided by an exceptional palate and extensive technical expertise.

The fruit is sourced largely from the elevated sandy soils of Blewitt Springs and the cooler reaches of Clarendon, two of McLaren Vale’s most distinctive subregions. Many of the vineyards are farmed organically or biodynamically, though such practices are viewed as a means rather than an end. In the cellar, the approach is similarly restrained: vegan-friendly wines made with minimal intervention, unfined, unfiltered and crafted with a deliberately light touch.

At the summit of the range sit three striking single-vineyard wines. Kokoro Shiraz and Akira Grenache are sourced from Gary and Anthony Whaite’s Springs Hill Vineyard in Blewitt Springs, while Komorebi Grenache comes from the Smart family’s Clarendon vineyard, first planted by Wayne Smart’s grandfather in 1922. These are not wines preoccupied with power, extraction or volume. Their appeal lies elsewhere—in fragrance, shape and the quiet accumulation of detail.

“We make bright, energetic and soulful wines that are true to their origins and the soil in which the grapes were grown,” says Trewartha. “Wines that are as suited to a quiet evening by the fire as they are to those unforgettable moments when your ribs ache from laughter.”

Ultimately, In Praise of Shadows is less about winemaking dogma and more about discovering meaning in what lies directly before us. Drawing inspiration from the Japanese concept of ikigai—our reason for being—the wines invite drinkers to slow down, pay attention and find beauty in subtle expression.