Alkina is crafting Grenache of rare precision, originality, and now, global significance.
Whether the critics are touting as among the world’s finest, likening to the greats of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, or praising as offering unparalleled value…
The message is clear -
Alkina has redefined Barossa Grenache.
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“The Alkina winery at Greenock in the Barossa Valley is one of the most intriguing wineries in Australia now. We’re looking at grenache of the highest order, graded specifically, to site and more importantly to soil. Stay tuned. Alkina is at the pointy end of the new Australian wine order.”
Campbell Mattinson – a 10 Star Winery
“I've been blown away by the Grenache from Alkina – we're edging towards the Australian version of Rayas here.”
Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion, May 2023
“The wines speak for themselves. The excruciating attention to detail produces elegant, highly distinctive wines with unmistakable freshness.“
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com, Oct 2024
“Alkina’s Kin Grenache is easily Australia’s best $35 Grenache, in fact I can’t think of a better Grenache for under $50.”
Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate May 2023
“Alkina is potentially the most exciting new project to hit the Barossa Valley in recent times. It’s the originality of its approach to the traditional grape varieties and wine styles of the region that is so arresting”.
Huon Hooke, The Real Review, April 2024
Monday, June 22nd
Hosted by Dan Coward Alkina’s Head of Sales and Marketing
Masterclass: 5.30–7.00pm | 11 Wines & Kate Lamont’s Nibbles | $160
Dinner: 7.30–9.30pm |11 Wines & 4 Courses, $255
About Alkina
Alkina has rapidly emerged as one of Australia's most celebrated wine estates, producing wines that have redefined expectations for Barossa Grenache and established a global reputation for terroir-driven winemaking. Located at Greenock in the north-western Barossa Valley, Alkina is a certified organic and biodynamic estate where some of the region's oldest vines are matched by one of the most ambitious vineyard projects ever undertaken in Australia.
The modern Alkina story began in 2015 when Argentine vintner Alejandro Bulgheroni acquired the historic Greenock property. Dating back to the 1840s and home to old Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro and Semillon vines planted in the 1950s, the estate possessed all the ingredients for greatness. Together with managing director and winemaker Amelia Nolan, Bulgheroni embarked on a mission to understand the vineyard at a level rarely attempted in Australian wine.
Working alongside legendary Italian consultant Alberto Antonini, voted among the world's leading winemakers by his peers, and renowned terroir specialist Pedro Parra, Alkina undertook extensive geological mapping that revealed extraordinary variations in soil and bedrock across remarkably small distances. This work led to the creation of the now-famous Polygon Project, where individual micro-parcels of vines are identified and vinified separately according to their unique geological character.
The results have attracted international acclaim. Julia Harding MW of JancisRobinson.com described the wines as "superb wines from minutely defined plots", while Robert Parker critic Erin Larkin called Alkina "an unendingly impressive project". Halliday Wine Companion's Dave Brookes has written, "I've been blown away by the Grenache from Alkina – we're edging towards the Australian version of Rayas here", referencing one of the most revered Grenache producers in the world.
Today, Alkina's range spans from the exceptional value KIN wines through to the Estate, Old Quarter and tiny-production Polygon bottlings, some of which are produced in quantities of fewer than 1,000 bottles. Across every tier, the philosophy remains the same: to allow vineyard site, soil and geology to speak clearly through the wine.
Adapted from Alkina Wines, JancisRobinson.com, Halliday Wine Companion, Robert Parker Wine Advocate and The Real Review.
ALKINA’S VINEYARDS
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Just over 6ha of Shiraz, planted in 1998, in deeper alluvial soils. The vines in this area were suffering from increasing eutypa so in 2021 we re-worked these blocks, cutting out as much of the dead arm disease as possible. They always deliver a powerful, rich, round style of Shiraz and will now be much more productive and healthy as well.
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Home to an interesting mix of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Nero d’Avola. A large portion of this area is along the creek line and shows some similarities to the 98 Blocks: deeper alluvial soils without a lot of rock. We’d love to say that we have unlocked the potential of Nero on this site but so far it has eluded us!
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A fascinating part of the vineyard that has needed a lot of work. The western side of the vineyard, in general, is the rockiest and has the most interesting geology. In Owen’s West we have started a long process to raise this area to the potential we feel that it has, by pulling out a significant area of Petit Verdot, which isn’t suited to this site. Years ago this same spot used to be home to a terraced bush vine Grenache vineyard and so in late 2022 we plan to plant this again to Grenache, and according to mapping work we’ve undertaken with Pedro.
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Planted in the mid 1950s, the Old Quarter is home to gnarly old bush vines grown on fabulously diverse and rocky terroir. Remembering that this country has been calculated to have been formed between 600 and 700million years ago, we see significant changes in the soils and rocks across small areas. These ‘patch dynamics’ have evolved over this time largely due to tectonic plate movement and dramatic climatic change and weathering. There is just under 3 hectares, planted to Mataro (0.5ha), Grenache (1.3ha) and Shiraz(0.85ha).
The Grenache plantings we have split into 4 Polygons: 2, 3, 4 and 5, according to their diverse geology (see Polygon Project), and we pick and vinify all of these separately. Polygons 3 and 5 are bottled separately in tiny quantities, while Polygons 2 and 4 are the Grenache base for the wine we call Old Quarter. This is blended with some of the surrounding Shiraz and Mataro and the goal is to make the most beautiful wine that is representative of this special part of the vineyard. Thus far Grenache has always been the dominant variety in the blend and the wine always displays great energy, aromatic lift and velvet texture.
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The Creek Blocks are home to 1.86ha of Semillon plantings from 2017. Skirting the creek line these plantings are somewhat similar in soil composition to the low-lying 98s on the other side. In a curious twist a significant amount of Semillon here has mutated from its white form into a pink/red/gris variation. Even more strangely this seems to change vine-to-vine each season! Either way we love the opportunity to work with both versions of Semillon and it is home to our Kin Red Semillon.
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Greenock Creek runs right through the heart of the farm and is a vital piece of the biodiversity puzzle, as well as being crucial to the geology of the vineyard. Vineyard areas close to the creek tend to have richer, deeper, clay-based soils, while sites on slopes and hills further from the creek are more rocky. Also the creek is home to a great diversity of insects and especially native bees. We know from a recent study that the vertical banks of the creek are crucial nesting sites for white and blue-banded bees, as well as many other important pollinators.
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2017 plantings of Shiraz, Mataro and Grenache that have great potential. Kin Shiraz and Kin Grenache heartland.
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Younger vine bush vine Grenache and Mataro, planted along the contours, stretches up the side of the hill to the highest point of the vineyard. In early 2022 we identified two ridges within this area where the schist bedrock is extremely close to the surface. We have isolated these narrow, awkward areas of vines and vinify the fruit from these c. 200 vines separately...
Meet the Host… Dan Coward
Dan Coward leads Sales, Marketing and Education for Alkina and has become one of the estate's most passionate ambassadors. Working closely with the Alkina team, Dan has played a key role in communicating the vision behind one of Australia's most innovative wine projects and introducing the wines to trade and consumers throughout Australia and internationally.
With extensive experience across fine wine sales, education and brand development, Dan combines deep knowledge of the Alkina vineyard and winemaking philosophy with an engaging and approachable presentation style. His understanding of the estate's unique geological mapping, biodynamic farming practices and the evolution of the Polygon Project provides guests with a rare insider's perspective on what makes Alkina so distinctive.
Having worked closely alongside managing director and winemaker Amelia Nolan and consultant Alberto Antonini, Dan has witnessed first-hand the extraordinary journey of the estate from a historic Greenock farm to one of Australia's most internationally acclaimed wineries. He is uniquely placed to explain how tiny changes in geology can produce dramatically different expressions of Grenache, Shiraz and Semillon across the property.
The Wine List
First Bracket
2023 Alkina KIN Semillon
This is a Semillon of its own design. It’s designed flat, as if the flavours come sheeted. It tastes slatey and dry, its fruit notes in the spectrum of tonic, honey, citrus and grapefruit, the texture applied with a squeaky kind of ripple to it. It’s a disciplined wine and yet it keeps you guessing, in a good way.
93 Points, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
2025 Alkina Estate Semillon
The second release of our Estate Semillon and one in which you can really see the flavour development typical of a warm, lowyielding vintage. Waxy citrus, white flower and biscuity richness form a complex picture on the nose and the palate follows this through with a great balance of richness and freshness. Light stone fruit and lemon meringue pie flavours characterise the fruit power here, with soft, round natural acidity prolonging the finish.
Alkinawine.com
Salmon tartare, black olive, cauliflower cream
Second Bracket
2022 Alkina KIN Grenache
This is the perfect entree into the wonderful world of Alkina. This is a Greenock producer that you really want to become familiar with. This is juicy, friendly, dry and serious at once. It’s all flowers, berries and earth with lots of juice and a good amount of tension. Red cherries and cranberries with juniper berries and purple flowers. It’s fresh. It’s pure. It’s energetic. And yet it’s structural. I like this a good deal.
92 Points, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
2024 Alkina Estate Grenache
These new Alkina ‘Estate’ releases are ultra exciting. You would have heard all the raves about this place over the past few years but, like me, maybe, baulked at the pricing. Here we get an insight to the Alkina magic at a more palatable level. These wines had me rushing to the keyboard. Personally, I’m in. This is grown organically, using biodynamic principles. 200-ish dozen were made. Wine Front subscribers should take up the whole production and clear them out. It was fermented and matured in concrete only.
94 Points, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
2025 Alkina Fractures Grenache
A blend of plots, but portions that have been selected for their incremental improvement year on year for fruit and resulting wines… Bouncy, juicy, and yet shaped well with a fine web of silty, granitic tannin. Excellent energy and drive here, red fruited, a crunch, woody spices meshed in, dried rose petal, a bergamot tea-like quality and general lift and poise. It feels lighter weight and yet concentrated at once. Tannins are impressive, to stutter. Italianate in a way. Like this.
94 Points, Mike Bennie, The Winefront (May 2026)
Abrolhos scallops, nori, Jamon bits
Third Bracket
2023 Alkina Old Quarter Grenache Shiraz Mataro
#1 of 22 2023 Grenache blends from Barossa Valley
Vibrant ruby red with a purple tint into the rim. Raspberry, rose and bresaola aromas. Medium weighted with a slipperiness to the blue and red fruited palate that really appeals. Rose and musk notes, with a deep ageing meat undertone that fills towards the back of the palate and fine tannins bring everything together with style and grace. There’s purpose to the power here, with a subtlety that beguiles
95 Points, Stuart Knox, The Real Review
2022 Alkina Old Quarter Grenache Shiraz Mataro
A 60/35/5% grenache/shiraz/mataro blend. Deep, saturated crimson-purple. An entirely different play to that of its 2021 sibling, emanating polished leather, black licorice and satsuma plum. It isn't just a collection of bits and pieces, the synergy beating a big bass drum of a wine of memorable quality.
95 Points - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion
2023 Alkina Striato Shiraz
A fusion of two Polygon components within Alkina’s Greenock vineyard pulls together a sublime chorus of subtle notes. Showing a shade less body weight than previous vintages allows the flavours to slide more easily, piqued by a pleasing savory lick at the finish. There are more lean, crunchy red berries in the mix, ahead of black olive flanking sharp blackberry and a sprinkling of allspice atop rich blueberry. It’s the seamless flow of the combined Polygon parcels that impresses the most, its gently ebbing tide of different flavour and texture notes washing gently, teasingly across the palate. So seductive.
97 Points, David Sly, Decanter
Tomato tart tatin, frache, basil
Fourth Bracket
2023 Alkina Polygon No. 5 Grenache
A wine of extreme finesse and restrained beauty. Wild strawberry, wild flowers and dark red fruit combine with super-fine tannins and remarkable length.
18.5/20 Points, Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
2020 Alkina Polygon No. 5 Grenache
More depth to the purple-crimson colour than Polygon No. 3, and a darker expression on the bouquet and palate alike. Black cherries add a note as do the rolled gold tannins. Overall rich, and velvety in the mouth, its depth, balance and length will give it exceptional longevity.
97 points, Halliday Wine Companion
2019 Alkina Polygon No. 5 Grenache
The two Polygon Grenache expressions from 2019 are such different wines despite being sourced from two nearby blocks. While the No. 3 is more elegant and subtle, the No. 5 is a thoroughbred, with muscular power at its core, and the better of the two in 2019. Bright mid cherry in colour, it is immediately savoury and brooding rippling with dark cherry, spice, baked earth, black liquorice and cola aromas that are dense and powerful. A muscular, full-bodied and weighty palate follows that is beautifully expressive with dark fruits well matched to savoury earth and spice. It’s intense but also incredibly fine as it builds greater complexity through to a long and rich finish. Benchmark Barossa Grenache.
96 Points - Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot
Pork belly, apple cider crema, petit greens
ALKINA OVERVIEW & TIMELINE
The farm at Alkina was established in 2015 when Argentinian vintner, Alejandro Bulgheroni purchased a property near Greenock in the Barossa Valley. The property consisted of a vineyard planted in the 1950s and old stone buildings built in the 1850s. Together with local winegrower, Amelia Nolan, they both loved the rolling hills and the promise of the geology that lay beneath, as well as the area of old Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro and Semillon vines that we now call the Old Quarter.
The old stone buildings recalled the area’s period of German settler history and the establishment of a farm on this country by the Schulz family in the 1840s. Working with local tradesmen and artisans, we have lovingly brought these buildings back to life, using stone dug up on the property to ensure the authenticity of the restoration.
We have 43 hectares of organically farmed vines with younger plantings accompanying the old, still focusing on the heritage varieties that have found their natural home in the region. We grow and make all Alkina wines on the farm, hand picking the fruit and moving them to our small winery, which is also housed in an original 1850s building. In addition, the Homestead (1900), the Cottage and Tasting Room (both 1850) make up our ‘village’ situated right in the heart of the vineyard.
TIMELINE
Below is a recent set of events that we know about in the area. Pre-dating these are the Ngadjuri Dreaming and Creation stories that have been passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years.
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1840s – The Schulz family arrives
1850s – Family dwelling built (now the cottage), as well as the barn (winery) and woolshed (tasting room)
Mid 1950s – 5ha of old vines planted, the area we now call The Old Quarter
1998 – plantings of Shiraz on the other side of Greenock Creek
2015 – A property called Greenock Farm purchased by Alejandro Bulgheroni
2016 – Significant new plantings of vines
2017 – Owens Vineyard (20ha of contiguous vineyard behind original farm) purchased
2017 – Alberto Antonini introduces us to his friend, Pedro Parra, who visits for the first time. The Polygon Project starts to take shape.
2017 – We pick and crush our first grapes in our small winery
2018 – Original part of vineyard receives organic and biodynamic certification through NASAA
2018 – First Alkina red wines produced: Polygons 3 & 5Grenache and Field Red
2019 – First Alkina white wine is produced: Field White, as well as the first vintage of Old Quarter
2020 – Building work is completed and the Tasting Room opens to the public on 1 November
2021 – First wines exported to USA and Europe
2022 – Back blocks (Owen's East and Owen's West) receives organic and biodynamic certification through Southern Cross Certified