In 1839 William and Elizabeth Oliver travelled to South Australia from Scotland and eventually settled in 1841 on land at McLaren Vale. Whitehill and Taranga farms, the names given to the northern and southern sections of this land, are located 2 km north of McLaren Vale overlooking the township. Both properties are still run by fifth generation descendants of William and Elizabeth and are planted to many different varieties of red and white wine grapes.

Sourced from five estate blocks, from six to 21 years old. Pressed mainly to steel, with about 15% in concrete eggs and 10% in second and third passage French oak; high solids with natural yeasts, 25% mlf, and no additions until sulphur at bottling. It’s another excellent release, with the warm and dry year highlighting what a great variety this is for the Vale. Golden apples, preserved lemon, grapefruit pith, sea spray, tonic, a hint of lemon curd and oyster shells. There’s intensity of fruit here, with a textural roundness preceding a pithily racy drive, suspending the flavours long. Date: Oct 2025; Rating: 95 Points; James Halliday Wine Companion

This is the wine that helped start the stampede towards Fiano. It remains a solid benchmark, and no doubt will be celebrated on inaugural National Fiano Day on October 17, established by the maker and like-minded winemaking Fiano believers. I remember tasting the 2011 back in the day with its bitter almond notes and texture and being blown away with its individuality. It is still a feature of Fiano today. Stone fruits, nectarine, white peach, Asian pear aromas mingle with honeysuckle florals, almond and lemon curd. Textural, warm-hearted and cuddly with a gentle nuttiness, it brings additional savoury almond, lemongrass to taste together with bright lemon pastille. Fiano offers no angles, no attitude, it’s sunny and lively and seamless with tangy acidity puts on a star turn. And, boy, does it linger long. Date: Oct 2025; Rating 95 Points; Jeni Port; Wine Pilot