2020 "Rej"

Yeah alright — the goat on the label? That’s Rej. He lived in the Montepulciano vineyard up on the hill in Willunga, down the southern end of McLaren Vale. First time I visited the vineyard, two things hit me:
1. The view — elevated, ocean-facing, absolutely magic.
2. This rogue goat wandering up, cool as you like, looking for a pat… or maybe a headbutt. It was never 100% clear.

From then on, every vineyard check conveniently included a bit of time for goat hugs and vineyard chats. Rej became part of the ritual — and when it came time to bottle this blend, there was no question what it had to be called. Rej. RIP, legend.

As for the wine — this is a blend with grit and generosity. It’s 71% Montepulciano from up top — those leathery skins give it plenty of tannin and structure — and 29% Mataro from down the bottom of the hill, adding spice, earthy depth, and a little juiciness to keep things moving.

What you get is a deep, dark, soulful red. Aromatics of blackberry, dried herbs, leather and violets, with just enough wildness to keep it interesting. The tannins are assertive but not harsh — they give shape without sucking all the moisture out of your mouth. There’s length, there’s weight, and there’s a sense that this wine doesn’t really care what’s trending on Instagram.

This wine wears boots, not loafers. Let it breathe for a bit, pour it with purpose, and maybe raise a glass to the coolest goat McLaren Vale ever saw.

– Grilled lamb ribs with rosemary and a squeeze of lemon – bring the fat and fire.
– Mushroom ragù with hand-cut pasta – earthy, rich, and layered, just like the wine.
– Charcoal chicken or a rotisserie chook with smoky paprika and garlic.
– BBQ veg with Romesco sauce – the Mataro’s spice and the Monte’s grip are perfect with flame-kissed flavour.