Grenache is widely grown across the Mediterranean but arguably reaches its highest expression in Chateunef du Pape and the Rioja in Spain. Old vine Grenache is also revered by some winemakers in the Barossa. It is not generally considered a good subject for Margaret River, let alone Karridale and is produced by very few growers. This represents a deficiency of the imagination. It has proved to be one of the most successful and attractive varieties that we grow and is the backbone of our Happs PF Red. Grenache, left to its own devices will produce a 25 ton to the hectare but the wine will be thin and unattractive. Our vines are thinned to one bunch per shoot which has the effect of removing almost half the crop and concentrating the flavour. We find Grenache a joy to have in our cellar. It provides us with the same relief from full bodied wines that we experience with Pinot Noir, Tinta Cao and Gamay.
