If there’s one grape that captures versatility in the Camino range, it’s Grenache. I’ve had the pleasure of working with this variety for over 15 years, in Australia, France, and California and it continues to impress me. Often seen purely as a red varietal, Grenache has an incredible ability to transform. At Camino, we craft three distinct wines from the same Grenache vineyard at Hemera Estate in the Southern Barossa: a white, a rosé, and a red.Â
It’s something that still surprises many wine lovers: one grape, one site, and yet three completely different wine styles in the glass.
2024 Camino Grenache Blanc de Noir
This is our white wine made from red grapes — and one of the most talked-about wines in our range. Using 112-year-old Grenache vines, the grapes were handpicked, crushed, and immediately pressed to avoid skin contact, preserving the pale colour. Fermented wild and undergoing full malolactic fermentation, the wine was stirred on lees every two weeks, giving it a creamy texture and added complexity.
Expect subtle notes of red apple and wild strawberry with a clean, crisp acidity and a soft, creamy, rounded finish. It’s a conversation starter and a favourite at tastings!
This rosé is all about balance and vibrancy. The fruit from Block 3B was carefully managed throughout the growing season to ensure maximum flavour, with daily sampling helping us choose the perfect harvest date.
After a brief two-hour maceration to pick up colour and a touch of natural tannin, the wine underwent a cool, wild ferment and was matured on lees for six months. The result? A dry, textural rosé with layers of cantaloupe, red currant, wild strawberry, morello cherry and freshly grated ginger, pink peppercorn and a whisper of gunflint. The palate offers red apple skin, ruby grapefruit and rhubarb flavours, with a long, refreshing finish.
2023 Camino Centenary Vines Grenache
For our red expression, we let the fruit show its full depth and character. The handpicked grapes were mostly destemmed with some whole bunches added for complexity. A portion of juice was bled off for rosé, intensifying the skin-to-juice ratio for added concentration.
Fermented slowly and aged in seasoned French oak for nine months, the wine is fragrant and spicy, with notes of red currants, cranberry, red liquorice, and brown baking spices finishing with some white pepper notes. The palate is a youthful, fresh palate of juicy red to crimson fruits, with plush piquant tannins, and a fine acid line.
Whether you’re after a crisp white, a refreshing rosé, or a refined red — Grenache has you covered. It’s not just versatile; it’s a true shape-shifter, and we love exploring its full potential here at Camino.
Ready to explore Grenache in all its forms? Visit ourShopthe full range ordrop us a line— we’d love to chat wine with you.
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Jason x
