Spinifex was started by Magali Gely and Peter Schell in 2001. Magali comes from a family that has been growing wine near Montpellier for over ten generations, whilst Peter is a trained oenologist and has made wine in Burgundy, Switzerland, Provence, the Minervois, the Languedoc, Bordeaux and New Zealand. Peter and Magali’s combined backgrounds led to the belief that the vineyard is paramount in the production of unique, authentic wines, and that the wines they produce should not only reflect their sites; showing richness and intensity; but also, be well-balanced and a pleasure to drink.
Pete Schell should be considered one of the pioneers of the ‘new Barossa’, in that he was perhaps the first to truly grasp that seeking ripe fruit at lower Baumé and large format, or at least neutral oak was the way to go in the Barossa. He knew that power came naturally in this part of the world and that his efforts need to be directed at finding perfume and finesse and digestibility. He also grasped the importance of the old parcels of heritage grape varieties (much of which had been grubbed up) and worked hard to lock down what he could.
Miette is the French word for crumbs, and while this label started its life crafted from the (delicious) off-cuts that fell from Spinifex’s top table, today the wine is made from fruit sourced specifically for this wine. The core of the fruit came from five key vineyards in Ebenezer, Bethany, Tanunda and Moppa—serious Barossa terroirs that have delivered bold, honest and deep Shiraz flavours and structure. Schell has also blended in some wines from the higher country of the Barossa Ranges and Eden Valley to bring freshness.
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