S.C. Pannell Wine

It’s little more than a decade since Stephen Pannell struck out on his own with the S.C. Pannell label. He marked the 10-year milestone in style, buying a vineyard he’s loved for years, acquiring a winery and cellar door in the heart of McLaren Vale and scooping the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for his 2013 Adelaide Hills Syrah.

Steve earned his stripes working with some of Australia’s iconic wineries including Wirra Wirra, Hardy’s Tintara and BRL Hardy, where he was Chief Red Winemaker from 1999 to 2003. He has worked numerous vintages overseas, with the likes of Domaine des Comtes Lafon in Burgundy, Château Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux and G.D. Vajra in Barolo. He's one of the most liked and respected winemakers in the business, loved also by a wine-drinking public looking for refreshing, aromatic whites, and reds that are approachable and moreish - in essence, wines that are serious while remaining irresistible to drink.

It's this that made Steve an irresistible choice as Gourmet Traveller WINE Winemaker of the Year in 2015. From its new permanent home in McLaren Vale, S.C. Pannell continues its quest for “wines that are grown, not made” – wines that are delicious, that taste of where they're from and that are a natural partner for the food and lifestyle of their home.