The Land

Sourced from small, organically farmed vineyard parcels on the Barossa Valley floor, including sites north of Lyndoch and west of Nuriootpa. These vineyards sit on dense dark clay soils, which give the wine its deep colour and firm structure despite Connolly’s early-picking approach. Warm days and cool nights allow for full phenolic ripeness while preserving acidity. The 2022 vintage benefited from an even ripening period, creating the perfect conditions for Connolly’s early-picking philosophy. This is Barossa reimagined—one foot grounded in the old valley soils, the other stepping into the bright elegance of French Syrah.

The Wine

100% Syrah, fermented with 70% whole bunches and native yeast in open-top fermenters using a semi-carbonic method over 14 days. Basket pressed to seasoned hogsheads for élevage with no fining or filtration and minimal sulphur added at bottling. The result is a wine with a plush yet elegant palate: dark cherry, blueberry, cocoa nib, and savoury spice layered over fine, persistent tannins and lively natural acidity. Connolly’s light-touch, low-intervention style yields a Syrah of freshness and precision without compromising depth or texture.

The People

Chad Connolly founded White Gate Wine Co. to explore a lighter, more refined expression of Barossa varieties. Without traditional winery training, Connolly draws on the influences of Beaujolais and Burgundy, combining whole-bunch ferments, early harvests, and minimal intervention to craft wines of clarity and energy. Working closely with select growers and hand-tending every ferment, his aim is simple: expressive, terroir-driven wines that reflect the unique sites and seasons of Barossa, free from formula or convention.

Food Pairings:

Charcoal-Grilled Lamb Chops with Chimichurri – The wine’s bright acidity and fine tannins balance the richness of grilled lamb. The herbal brightness and piquant tang of chimichurri amplify the Syrah’s dark fruit and spice, creating a layered, compelling interplay of savory and fresh.

Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Bison Burger with Blue Cheese – Lean, flavorful bison pairs naturally with the Syrah’s plush fruit and taut structure. Caramelized onions and mushrooms enhance the wine’s earthy undertones, while blue cheese provides a bold, salty counterpoint that resonates with the wine’s depth and energy.

Mediterranean Chickpea and Grilled Vegetable Bowl with Olive Tapenade, Rosemary, Balsamic, and Feta – Grilled eggplant, zucchini, and peppers over chickpeas deliver smoky sweetness that complements the Syrah’s dark fruit core. Salty feta and briny olive tapenade echo the wine’s savory edge, while rosemary and a touch of balsamic lift the dish to meet the wine’s fresh acidity and fine tannins.

Koerner Mammolo 2021

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