Adam Louder
SMASHING THE STEREOTYPE
In the Grampians wine region, surrounded by dramatic natural beauty, Adam Louder is in pursuit of perfection. The winemaker crafts some of Australia’s best cool-climate Shiraz, and it’s only getting better.
After working in wineries around the world, Adam returned to his hometown, and set his sights on making truly world class wines. Victoria’s cool-climate and historic Grampians wine region was home to some of Australia’s pioneering winemakers and today Adam walks in their footsteps, taking fruit grown on a site first planted over a century ago and turning it into vibrant, elegant wine that is helping to change people’s perceptions of typical Aussie Shiraz.
Old vines, new ways
It says a lot about the beauty and winemaking potential of the Grampians that Adam is back here, after years spent travelling and working in France’s Bordeaux, Napa Valley in the US and wineries across Australia.
He grew up just a few minutes’ drive away from Mount Langi Ghiran where he works today – and started his career here back in 1998 as a cellar hand.
“I came here as a kid, so it has a kind of homely feel to it,” says Adam. “I know the property very well. I guess I have a bit of a spiritual connection to the place.”
After gaining experience in wineries around the world, and meeting his partner Nancy Panter in the Napa Valley, Adam was drawn back by the Grampians’ elegant, cool-climate Shiraz – an antidote to the stereotypical big, bold style. He returned to Mount Langi Ghiran as winemaker in 2016.
Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Great Dividing Range, Mount Langi Ghiran is one of Australia’s most unique vineyard sites. Shiraz was first planted here in 1870, and rugged cliffs tower above.
Shiraz is still the star wine and has a reputation for being some of Australia’s best cool-climate Shiraz – elegant and peppery yet full of flavour. Adam’s obsession with Grampians Shiraz drives him to keep perfecting his craft, and his wines are highly acclaimed. He also produces outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling.
“I’m just super passionate about making the best wine that we can off this property,” he says. “We’re concentrating on having the season and the flavour of the property shine through in the wines.
“I take a deep breath sometimes when I’m out in the vineyard and have a look around and think about how spectacular it is. I try and bring what’s around me into the wine, so the minerals, rocky edges, the flavours of the bush in a way.”
“I try and bring what’s around me into the wine, so the minerals, rocky edges, the flavours of the bush.” – Adam Louder
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