Paxton is a family owned and run McLaren Vale wine company; founder and owner, David Paxton, is one of Australia’s most highly respected viticulturists; David’s son Michael oversees the winemaking and second son, Ben, manages Cellar Door. Paxton vineyards are managed using biodynamic farming principles – farming without the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides with a focus on promoting healthy, living soils through natural compost preparations.

Independent sommeliers Ben Edwards and Dan Sims present Paxton ‘AAA’ Shiraz Grenache as one of three delicious Australian wines made with chemical-free biodynamic processes:

Paxton

From vintage 2010 Paxton vineyards are NASAA certified “organic/biodynamic in conversion”

The first Australian winery member of 1% For The Planet
1% For The Planet is a global network of environmentally conscious companies that give at least 1% of their annual sales to environmental causes.

One of the ‘Best of the Best’ and 5/5 star winery rating
James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2011

“David Paxton is one of Australia’s leading practical (as opposed to academic) viticulturists”
“David Paxton is one of Australia’s leading practical (as opposed to academic) viticulturists. He was the first mover in establishing vineyards high in the hills of the Upper Yarra Valley, drawing on the experience he had gained in the 1980s establishing vineyards on steep hillsides for Petaluma. He designed and supervised the establishment of two very large vineyards at Hoddles Creek that were acquired by Hardys (now Constellation) in 1995. Coldstream Hills had been a significant purchaser of grapes from the Hoddles Creek vineyards up to the sale of those vineyards to Hardys. At my request, he identified two properties, one with steep slopes, the other more gentle, thereafter developed (under Paxton’s guidance) as associated ventures with Coldstream Hills.  In other words, we go back a long way.

He has always been known for his willingness to enter into spirited discussions with his associates, and could fairly be categorised as a no-bullshit grapegrower, his long term involvement stemming from his continuing ownership of Paxton Vineyards in McLaren Vale. He was not the first person I would have thought of as likely to become involved in biodynamic grapegrowing, but that is exactly what he has done with his own vineyards. Since 2005, they have been farmed using biodynamic practices, and are now certified by NASAA, the nation’s leading organic certifier.”
James Halliday, www.australianwinecompanion.blogspot.com, April 2010

Paxton ‘AAA’ Shiraz Grenache

One of the ‘Best of the Best by variety’ and 94/100 points (2008 vintage)
“… a beautifully modulated and balanced wine with delicious red fruits to the fore, free of any confection characters whatsoever; the structure is outstanding, built on the foundations of silky tannins…”
James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2011

Gold Medal (2008 vintage)
Judges comments: “Lovely ripe berries on nose. Elegant, smooth with a great finish.”
International Wine Challenge 2010, London

“(…) Seriously slurpable…” (2008 vintage)
“(…)  Seriously slurpable.  Slips down ever so easily. Raspberries and blackberries, earth and spice.  Nice lick of fine-grained tannin too.  Juicy and lingering. You have to enjoy some bright, red fruit in your wine (because it’s not a dark, inky monster by any stretch) but this is deliciously pure, regional drinking.”
Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, Nov 2009

91/100 points (2008 vintage)
“This wine is lovely and juicy without being overripe.”
Dan Sims, The Wine Guide, Cheers TV Episode #5, Crikey.com.au, May 2010

Paxton ‘Quandong Farm’ Shiraz

One of the ‘Best of the Best by variety’ and 96/100 points (2008 vintage)
James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2011