Let me tell you a story about Dandelion Vineyards and their exceptional wines. Dandelion Vineyards is a renowned Australian winery that has carved out a reputation for producing exceptional, award-winning wines. Founded by winemaker Elena Brooks, this unique winery is a fusion of old vineyards, a young winemaker, and a team of passionate individuals dedicated to the art of winemaking. The vineyard is also certified bio-dynamic since February 2022.
The story of Dandelion Vineyards begins with Elena Brooks, who grew up in Bulgaria with a mother working in a winery. By the age of 12, she was interpreting barrel tastings with the winemakers. By the age of 15, she had the wine knowledge and vocabulary of a veteran, and by 16 she was making her first batches of Chardonnay. After studying and working in various wine regions around the world, Elena settled in the renowned McLaren Vale region of South Australia, where she now crafts the Dandelion Vineyards range.
The winery's vineyards are spread across different regions, from Lake Alexandrina to Eden Valley, each contributing unique terroir and character to the wines. Their portfolio includes Riesling from Eden Valley, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay from Adelaide Hills, and Grenache and Shiraz from McLaren Vale and Barossa. Here are two notable wines:
Enchanted Garden of the Eden Valley Riesling: Produced from vines planted in 1910, this dry Riesling offers honeysuckle, lime, and rose petals on the nose —heightened, pure, and exotic. The wine features searing acidity coupled with a textural mouthfeel, with citrus fruits like lime, lemon, mandarin, and grapefruit. The acidity refreshes the back palate, leaving you ready for another sip.
Lioness of McLaren Vale Shiraz: Crafted from mature Shiraz vines in ironstone pebble clay loam, this wine undergoes a 12-day fermentation and 18 months in older French Oak barriques. The nose reveals pepper, earth, plums, white chocolate, tar, and aniseed, complemented by cinnamon, mixed spice, leather, and coffee from the oak. The palate is rich and round, with dark fruits like plums, blackberries, and mulberries leading to a dry, long finish.
The dandelion flower, featured on the winery's labels, is elegantly designed against a white background, with seeds appearing to float in 3D. This design mirrors the dandelions blooming across the owners' vineyards, which are spread from Lake Alexandrina to Eden Valley.
If you ever find yourself in Australia, a visit to Dandelion Vineyards is a unique experience. The winery invites guests to discover the "Wonder Room," where they can explore the winery's offerings and immerse themselves in the art of winemaking. Address: Dandelion Vineyards: 191 Chaffeys Road, McLaren Vale SA 5171
Looking to buy Dandelion Vineyards wines? They are available in many countries worldwide, find a distributor in your area:
Europe
Bulgaria - A2B Operations
Croatia - Enozoik
Finland - Cisa Drinks
Germany - Wine In Black
Romania - Wine Point
Sweden - The Wine Team
United Kingdom - Liberty Wines
North America
United States of America - Vine Street Imports
Canada - Artisan Wines, Profile Wine Group
Asia - Pacific
New Zealand - Procure Liquor
Malaysia - The Fine Wine Merchant
Thailand - Wine Garage
Japan - Colonial Trade Co
South Korea - Vinokims
