Thistledown was established by Master of Wine Giles Cooke, who envisioned crafting a more elegant and textural style of Australian wine. Early on, this vision led to access to some of the country’s finest vineyards, including many previously overlooked Old Vine Grenache blocks. Combining these incredible, historic fruit sources with Giles’ growing expertise has rapidly earned Thistledown a reputation as one of Australia’s premier wine producers.

The Fool on the Hill is sourced from two tiny plots of essentially dry grown bush-vine 
Grenache, planted by Joel Mattschoss, high in the Eden Valley on soils that require a vine to 
struggle. The fruit was hand-picked early in the morning of 27th March before swift transport to the winery where we retained 20% whole bunches. A gentle ferment in concrete egg was 
followed by pressing to 500 litre 2nd and 3rd year French oak.

Only 1101 bottles produced.

Winemaker Notes

The signature Thistledown lifted aromatics are present but the palate offers more sinew 
and spice than those from McLaren Vale. Textural, almost chewy but polished dark cherry, 
mineral and warm spices carry through to a finish of incredible length. Thistledown Wine Company