Duncan Lloyd
VINE AND WINE EXPERIMENTALIST
For Duncan Lloyd, there are two sides to winemaking: crafting classic wines that honour the work of three generations, and blazing trails with alternative varieties.
After growing up in McLaren Vale on his family’s wine estate, Coriole, and working in wine regions around the world, Duncan returned to McLaren Vale and the family business. He’s now started his own family and loves watching his kids play on the same land that he once did. He’s also following in his family’s footsteps when it comes to winemaking innovation, recently launching a new label with his brother that’s all about showcasing unusual varieties that shine in McLaren Vale’s warmer climate.
Alternative pioneers
Duncan’s grandparents, Hugh and Molly Lloyd, founded the Coriole wine estate in 1967, which was home to vineyards planted in 1919. From the 1980s, Coriole became a pioneer in alternative varieties including Sangiovese, Fiano and Piquepoul, a white variety from southern France. The estate is still in family hands and a third generation is now working in the business, with Duncan as Senior Winemaker and his brother Peter managing sales and marketing.
“I grew up among the vineyards, and for me it was really about experiencing the place through osmosis,” says Duncan. “You’re here, your part of every vintage, you hear the tractors in the morning. It feels like a natural place to end up as an adult.
“I’m very fortunate to have grown up among a wine brand that has a lot of history and tradition but has always been known for its innovation. That’s something that my brother and I can continue.”
In 2017, Duncan and Peter launched a project called Dune Wine, so they could step up their experimentation and explore different varieties. They bought a vineyard where they introduced organic practices and replaced many of the existing vines with varieties better suited to the climate. A fascinating array of varieties now thrives there.
Duncan’s low-intervention wines reflect the vineyard’s diversity and include exciting blends such as the intensely perfumed PYLA, featuring Nero d’Avola, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Negroamaro, plus small amounts of Montepulciano and Grenache.
“As a family we’ve had a long history of experimenting with a lot of different varieties, and really looking to see what works in the region,” says Duncan. “We’re in a luxury position in McLaren Vale and in Australia where we’re allowed to push the boundaries,” says Duncan. “We’re allowed to experiment; we’re allowed to have freedom of expression with our vineyards and our wines.
“We’re in a luxury position in McLaren Vale and Australia where we’re allowed to push the boundaries, experiment and have freedom of expression with our vineyards and wines.”
– Duncan Lloyd
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