Geyer
Born into a family of grape growers in the Barossa Valley, Dave Geyer knows exactly how to persuade the intricacies out of his meticulously tended grapes. Quickly carving his family name into the deeply historical troughs and troves of the Barossa Valley, his nurtured old vines make prized wines that brim with character, depth and interest that you don’t find in just any wine.
Old vines make prized wines
The heady lifestyle of a vintner is alluring for some more than others — hard work balanced with just as much frivolity and interesting bottles of wine shared amongst friends. Dave, unable to resist the pull, made his entry to winemaking at Torbreck in the wee 2000s. A hands-on experience that enthralled him to learn from other winemaker luminaries, namely Lammershoek in South Africa and with cult producer Matassa in France.
Returning to his Barossa Valley home with a wealth of experience, he landed at Spinifex with Pete Shelle. This was the final catalyst that propelled him into a project of his own. Thus was born the man under many monikers. A virtuoso of wine and a frenetic fermenter.
His side project and collaboration with Koen Janssens, Yetti & the Kokonut, pushes the boat out. Broadening their repertoire with wilder wines, turning common varieties into uncommon drops. Their early harvest reds tickle with acidity and skin fermented whites are a textural affair. Sustainable and playful.
Similarly, his solo project leans into lesser known varieties and harnesses an unconventional winemaking philosophy. An advocate for the unsung heroes of the Barossa Valley, his lineup of wines shine a light on varieties that don’t swim in the mainstream but are interestingly delicious just the same.
Returning to his Barossa Valley home with a wealth of experience, he landed at Spinifex with Pete Shelle. This was the final catalyst that propelled him into a project of his own. Thus was born the man under many monikers. A virtuoso of wine and a frenetic fermenter.
His side project and collaboration with Koen Janssens, Yetti & the Kokonut, pushes the boat out. Broadening their repertoire with wilder wines, turning common varieties into uncommon drops. Their early harvest reds tickle with acidity and skin fermented whites are a textural affair. Sustainable and playful.
Similarly, his solo project leans into lesser known varieties and harnesses an unconventional winemaking philosophy. An advocate for the unsung heroes of the Barossa Valley, his lineup of wines shine a light on varieties that don’t swim in the mainstream but are interestingly delicious just the same.
As old vines are ripped from their roots and replaced with fruitful, money-making varieties (typically Shiraz), Dave sees their hibernating possibility. Nurturing old vines from their wild descent, meticulous care underpins his whole operation. After weathering years of neglect, he dotes on them. Pruning and picking, restoring them to pinnacle condition and allowing their true potential to shine. Reward is in the glass with wines that yield complexity and concentration.
Semillion, Geyer’s self-proclaimed defining variety, blends fruit from three separate vineyards. Tying together a kaleidoscope of sites, soils and flavour profiles, and vinifying each to best represent the site.
Unfussed and unfiltered in the cellar, the wines themselves are beguiling and charismatic. Wines for drinking and thinking, but that are equally fitting at a seaside day away. His thoughtful, sustainable approach to winemaking shines in each bottle. So much so, that any conversation about progressive winemaking in the Barossa Valley simply must involve his name.
On the leading edge of emerging winemakers shaping the future of Australia’s wine identity, these wines are worth a sit-in. So pull up a seat and pour yourself a glass.
Semillion, Geyer’s self-proclaimed defining variety, blends fruit from three separate vineyards. Tying together a kaleidoscope of sites, soils and flavour profiles, and vinifying each to best represent the site.
Unfussed and unfiltered in the cellar, the wines themselves are beguiling and charismatic. Wines for drinking and thinking, but that are equally fitting at a seaside day away. His thoughtful, sustainable approach to winemaking shines in each bottle. So much so, that any conversation about progressive winemaking in the Barossa Valley simply must involve his name.
On the leading edge of emerging winemakers shaping the future of Australia’s wine identity, these wines are worth a sit-in. So pull up a seat and pour yourself a glass.
Nurturing old vines from their wild descent, meticulous care underpins his whole operation. Reward is in the glass with wines that yield complexity and concentration.