Langhorne Creek offers winemakers grapes in Project 5255

The first round of Project 5255 delivered three exceptional wines, one of which saw South Australian winemaker Charlotte Hardy of Charlotte Dalton Wines take home the top gong of Young Gun of Wine.

Shining a spotlight on the Langhorne Creek wine region, Project 5255 allows winemakers the chance to discover a grapegrowing region that they may not have explored before to create a limited edition small-batch wine under their own label.

In its first vintage, Rob Mack of Aphelion Wines, Charlotte Hardy of Charlotte Dalton Wines and Turon White of Turon Wines delivered a Malbec, award-winning Fiano and Grenache, each receiving high praise from wine writers throughout Australia.

Following her involvement with Project 5255, Charlotte Hardy continues to work with Langhorne Creek fruit to deliver her Fiano, which sold out within weeks of being released.

Similarly, Turon White has committed again to his spicy, deep cherry note Grenache.

"I found the project to be one of those uplifting things you are lucky enough to do in your career that really changes your thinking and direction," Ms Hardy said.

"I could not recommend this project more.

"I entered the Langhorne Creek Project 5255 Fiano as one of my two wines for Young Gun of Wine - and won it - that seems like a pretty good endorsement!"

Ms Hardy said the project was a great challenge.

"I was so thrilled to be selected for the project but with all the excitement there were also nerves - a new region I knew little about, new people I'd never worked with and a new (old) history to learn about," she said.

"My interactions with Langhorne Creek Grape and Wine incorporated were so great. Right from the start I could tell this was an inclusive region that cared for the people that cared about it.

"I loved working with Fiano - so much so that I have made it again for the 21' vintage plus Carignan, Tempranillo and Montepulciano from Langhorne Creek."

Mr Mack said the project allowed the participants to "really immerse ourselves" in the culture of the region thanks to both growers and wine producers being extremely flexible with their time and experience.

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"The fruit we had access to was of a very high quality and it allowed us to experiment in the winery to create a wine that was very different to the normal style produced but still had a regional stamp on its aromatics and palate," he said.

"I'd strongly recommend any wine producer who has an interest in trying new things and an unwavering pursuit for quality to apply to the program."

Mr White said it allowed him to try something new.

"Having focused most of my career on cool climate wine making it was a fantastic opportunity to get outside my comfort zone and experience a new region with new soils, varieties and growing conditions," he said.

"Having always admired Grenache from afar I was excited to explore the possibilities of this variety with the guidance of local growers and winemakers.

"Overall, it was an amazing and totally immersive experience that I enjoyed and learnt from so much so that I made a second wine from the Creek in 2021."

Langhorne Creek Grape & Wine winemaker committee chair Sam Watkins said the project was hugely successful and - after global recognition - was back to entice emerging or established winemakers to explore the region once again.

"We didn't anticipate the level of interest we received for the inaugural Project 5255 which saw us receive more than 20 winemaker applications," he said.

"The calibre of the applicants was outstanding, and the three finished wines created a real buzz in the industry nationally which is something we're extremely proud of.

"We even received feedback from an overseas wine region asking if they could replicate the program.

"Showcasing the terroir of the Creek and its premium fruit was always our number one objective and we think it's doing just that."

As well as working with Langhorne Creek grapes, the successful applicants will have access to support and mentorship from established, award-winning wine veterans from Langhorne Creek.

Anyone with a Producer's Licence is eligible to apply for Project 5255.

Applications close midnight November 15.

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