Aphelion Wine

Rob and Lou Mack founded Aphelion in 2014, backing McLaren Vale grenache when few could have foreseen quite how far the variety would come. Rob has become one of its most ardent advocates, using a single-site program to elucidate the nuances of individual sites and vineyards. His credentials are substantial: AWAC, the Len Evans Tutorial, French Wine Scholar, a current Master of Wine scholar, national and international judging, and a 2023 shortlist for Winemaker of the Year. Co-founder Louise Rhodes Mack is alongside him, and together they have built a label with a clear sense of purpose. Grenache is the star, and Aphelion is dedicated to exploring it ever deeper, with wines that show the natural tannin, detail and persistence that make the variety so compelling. Textural white wines, with an emphasis on chenin blanc, round out the range, alongside mourvèdre, shiraz, nero d’Avola, grenache blanc and falanghina. Across the range, there’s a striking fidelity to site, from the entry-level Welkin wines through to the premium single-site bottlings. Fruit is sustainably sourced, almost exclusively from McLaren Vale, from some of the region’s most renowned sites and growers. The Welkin range uses lighter glass, while 20-litre KeyKegs supply wine on tap to hospitality venues, reducing the need for individual bottles and their packaging faff. Aphelion is helping McLaren Vale grenache command attention well beyond its home ground, and drinkers are embracing the wines with equal fervour. -KATRINA BUTLER