Winemaker Notes
Mollydooker is a family owned and operated winery based in a charming part of the world that is McLaren Vale, South Australia. The dedicated team make a portfolio of wines that beautifully represent the warm, coastal climate of the region, but with the uniqueness that results from their trademarked winemaking techniques.
Established in 2005, the name Mollydooker – Aussie slang for a left-handed person – was a fitting choice given the majority of the team, including owner Sarah were themselves left-handed. This point of difference runs through all the winery’s operations, from greeting visitors with a left hand, to always placing the wine glass to the left of a table setting.
In 2007, Mollydooker found a permanent home in McLaren Vale, with 116 acres of vineyards, and the following decade saw ambitious growth. Now, the team of 50 produces 80,000 cases of wine each year, across five different tiers to wine-lovers across Australia, the US and beyond. Its ‘hero’ grape is the quintessential McLaren Vale grape, Shiraz, whilst other varieties, including Cabernet and Merlot are also prominent, on their own and in blends. To offer a full range to suit all palates and occasions, Mollydooker also offers three styles of Verdelhos (including a sparkling), and a Merlot Rosé.
Mollydooker’s wines have been praised globally, including receiving five 99-point Wine Advocate scores by renowned wine critic, Robert Parker. Its Carnival of Love Shiraz has also been listed a record three times in Wine Spectator’s Top 10 Wines in the World. Under the ambitious leadership of owner Sarah Marquis, the company has been recognised for its business success, being chosen as the 2019 South Australian Business of the Year at the much revered Telstra Business Awards.
Using its success, Mollydooker’s passion is about making a difference to the lives of those less fortunate through ‘sipping it forward’. Each year, a portion of its proceeds is directed towards supporting its local and international communities. Locally, Mollydooker supports the Hutt Street Centre, which provides meals, social and support services to the homeless community of Adelaide. On an international scale, Mollydooker sponsors three schools through Transform Cambodia, which helps to educate street kids, and 20 women through Mercy Multiplied each year, providing a safe space for victims of abuse.
South Australia is the historic heart of Australian wine, a great wine capital of the world, and home to some of the most famous regions. It produces more than 80% of Australia’s premium wine from some of the oldest vines in the world. There is an abundance of varieties and wide spectrum of styles to explore. From the rogue to refined, discover Australian wines that are far from ordinary.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”