Thistledown, Fool On The Hill Single Vineyard Grenache, Eden Valley, Australia, 2025

Producer Profile

Thistledown was founded by Master of Wine, Giles Cooke who had a vision for a more elegant, textural interpretation of Australian wine.

Initial explorations resulted in access to many of the best vineyards, many of which were the previously unloved Old Vine Grenache. Incredible, historic fruit sources coupled with Giles’ increasingly adept efforts has quickly resulted in a reputation for being amongst the best in the country. Narrating the stories of these wines to an increasingly attentive global audience is Giles’ heartfelt commitment and mission.

Viticulture

The Fool on the Hill is sourced from a beautiful contoured site high above the Barossa Valley. Isolated and challenging, those pioneers who originally had the foresight to plant, must have sometimes questioned their sanity. Now on the second vintage from Joel Mattschoss’ Trial Hill Vineyard, these old bush trained vines have been brought back into rude health and their fruit is filed with energy, intensity and mineral strewn complexity.

Winemaking

The fruit was hand-picked early in the morning before swift transport to the winery where they retained 20% whole bunches. Wild fermented in concrete pyramid before pressing to large format seasoned oak for 11 months

Tasting Note

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.

Food matching

Salted Beef Brisket, Slow Roasted Pork Belly