“Wine to me is not about tasting blackcurrant and cigar box but how the wine ‘feels’ to drink. I believe in balance, a great wine should have no sharp edges – it should have beautiful smooth curves from front to back.”
Alex, Chief Swirler and Sniffer
SHERRAH Wines celebrate McLaren Vale wholeheartedly.
The geology of McLaren Vale is some of the oldest and most varied in the world. Fault line upheaval has twice lifted the surrounding hills to the height of Everest, and twice eroded them back down again.
From ridges with 700 million year old limestone bases, to alluvial fans with a multitude of rock type fragments from the ages, the geology of each site contributes to the unique characteristics of each wine.
Alex’s focus is firmly Vale-centric, with both familiar varieties and those emerging getting equal airtime, while expressions range from elegant takes on the classics to a skinsy white, pét-nat and zero-sulphur red. His philosophy, and his belief in his region, has produced Sherrah’s range of “smashing, smashable wines which are a true pleasure to drink”.
Alex Sherrah’s experience has taken him from McLaren Vale, to Napa Valley, Clare Valley, Burgundy and Austria, before returning him home to McLaren Vale.
Starting out at Tatachilla in McLaren Vale, Alex then went to the Napa Valley, where he spent time working at Kendall Jackson’s crown jewel, Cardinale Estate, making ultra-premium Bordeaux-based wines. Before returning to McLaren Vale, Alex worked at Knappstein, and O’Leary Walker Wines, both in the Clare Valley. During his time with O’Leary Walker, Alex completed vintages in both Burgundy and Austria.
Moving home to McLaren Vale, Alex became Senior Winemaker at Coriole from 2012 to 2017, before embarking on his SHERRAH Wines journey.
2022 Pet-Nat Fiano
Ned Goodwin MW
2022 Chenin Blanc
A bright summer fruited wine, lemon zest and tropical aromas with a textured palate.
2022 Fiano
Bright and lifted aromas of lemon zest, white florals and hints of sea spray. Refreshing with delicate flavours of citrus and white stone fruits, the palate has a lovey texture with great drive and a moreish finish.
2022 Skin Party Fiano
Tens of thousands of Fiano whole berries writhe together with zillions of partying yeasties for two weeks in an open fermenter. No intervention except for occasionally stirring the pot and provoking another orgy of fermentation. No fining.
2022 Grenache Rosé
60 year old Blewitt Springs bush vine Grenache had 3 hours on skins followed be cool fermentation. Aromatic, dry, and delicate as a pretty in pink ballerina springing across the palate.
2022 Preservative Free Grenache
2022 Nero d’Avola
Single vineyard, hand-picked, small batch, whole berry, open ferment following a cold soak. Beautiful fresh and bright red berried fruit, with a complex mix of dried herb and spice. Refreshing acidity and structured finish.
2021 Red Et. Al. Grenache, Shiraz, Nero d’Avola
Bush vine Grenache stars in this original blend, Shiraz softens the mid palate and Nero brings an Italian twist. Hand-picked, whole berry, small batch open ferments, aged in seasoned puncheons.
2020 Shiraz
Single vineyard, whole berry, small batch open ferment. Matured in 15% new and 2-3 year old French oak. The king of the Vale.
A medium to full bodied Shiraz, bridging old style charm and power with new style freshness and structure.