The new faces behind the Curtis Family Vineyards are Mark, Thomas & Jenna Curtis, with the guidance of their father, Claudio Curtis who lives on the vineyard just outside McLaren Vale. The name Curtis is thought to derive from Curtius, a noble and wealthy family of the First and Second Centuries AD, the Roman Empire era originating from the Latinium people. 

This Small Batch Grenache Shiraz is the perfect blend creating a medium to full-bodied plush palate. Displaying bright & vibrant red fruit characters with hints of spice. ​The Grenache fruit was selectively handpicked from 120-year-old bush vines.

Immensely complex and enticing, the wine shows dark fruit richness, cake spice, toasted nut and potpourri characters on the nose. The superbly weighted palate delivers sumptuous mouthfeel combined with finely woven tannins, finishing impressively long and gratifying. At its best: now to 2037. Date: Oct 2023; Price: $80.00; Rating: 96 Points; Sam Kim; Wine Orbit

The delivery of flavour here is excellent. It comes in soft sheets, ingrained with fine-grained tannin, woven with earth and spice notes, and ultimately long and juicy to close. It’s textbook in the most positive of ways; it’s bold and elegant at once; it’s modern McLaren Vale and traditional McLaren Vale in one. This is a beautiful wine. It’s both pretty and powerful. Date Tasted: January 2026; Alcohol: 14.5%; Price: $80.00; Rating: 95 Points; Campbell Mattinson

The Grenache was sourced from 120-year-old vines and the Shiraz came from 80-year-old vines. A vibrant dark crimson colour. Chocolate, dark fruits, coffee grinds, warm earth and bay leaves. A ripe style exhibiting quality fruit, with everything in balance. Silky tannins and very good length. The finish sees the emergence of more fresh cherry notes. Delicious. Enjoy over the next eight to twelve years. Drink to: 2035; Price: $80.00; Rating: 94 Points; Ken Gargett