MMAD VINEYARD


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MMAD Vineyard is owned by a partnership of four wine professionals, Martin Shaw, Michael Hill Smith MW, Adam Wadewitz and David LeMire MW. Michael and Martin, who are cousins, founded Adelaide Hills winery Shaw + Smith together in 1989. Adam and David are now co-CEOs at Shaw + Smith, where Adam is Chief Winemaker, and David Head of Sales and Marketing. In recent years Michael, Martin, Adam, and David have worked together closely on other single vineyard based projects including Tolpuddle Vineyard in Tasmania, and the Shaw + Smith single vineyard wines from Balhannah and Lenswood in the Adelaide Hills. They have now turned their attention to Blewitt Springs in the north-eastern hills of McLaren Vale. The old vines of Blewitt Springs have a unique combination of sandy soils, coastal breezes, and grand old vines. The sandy soils of Blewitt Springs have long been known to give the wines beautiful perfume. In some sites, there is also ironstone, which gives the wine structure to match the beauty. The altitude of 150 – 220 meters means the sea breezes from Gulf St Vincent cool the vines, and keep the acids fresh. MMAD Vineyard has Grenache that was all planted in 1939, as well as Shiraz and Chenin Blanc, the oldest of which were planted in 1941 and 1964 respectively. The MADD team’s philosophy in the vineyard is to continuously improve soil and vine health, and to promote diversity of plants, insects, and the microbiome. “This is rare earth, and the old vines are a precious resource and part of our viticultural history that we are grateful to have the chance to work with.” MMAD Vineyard partner, David LeMire MW.

Reviews for this winery

Wine Advocate

The MMAD Vineyard is an interesting project headed up by Martin Shaw, Michael Hill-Smith MW, Adam Wadewitz and David Le Mire MW (Martin, Michael, Adam, David—the acronym is obvious). The goal was to find a high-quality vineyard to purchase in McLaren Vale, specifically Blewitt Springs. When this vineyard finally became available, they pounced: the real story is more nuanced than that, but all you need is the gist. The wines are excellent and show the confluence of greatly talented wine minds and hands in the group.

Erin Larkin, July 2022

British Columbia