The joy of terroir

High Sands in McLaren Vale

High Sands vineyard covers 1.7ha in South Australia’s McLaren Vale and was established by Yangarra Estate, part of the Jackson Family Wines company since 2001. These are old Grenache bush vines, planted in 1946, and their yellow foliage marks the end of the growing season. McLaren Vale has a Mediterranean climate and High Sands’ Grenache wines are typically fruit-forward with soft tannins and strong acidity. Situated at the top of an ancient dune, High Sands is named for its deep sandy soils that provide good drainage. Unusually, the sand here is almost 100% silica, meaning that it was formed inland rather than by oceanic influences. Towards the horizon the Willunga escarpment stretches north to the Onkaparinga River National Park.