On 21 July 1969, as Neil Armstrong took “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”, Bill Taylor took his own first steps onto a very different kind of soil that was to become his family’s estate in South Australia’s Clare Valley.
However, the Taylor family’s connection to Clare Valley began even earlier – way back in in the late 1950s when, as Sydney wine merchants, they partnered with the Clare Valley Co-operative to bottle and distribute wines under the Chateau Clare label. Inspired by Bordeaux’s great estates, the label set out to find the perfect site to craft wines to rival the best in the world. Their search brought them to the Wakefield River – and the journey that began on that moon-landing day continues today.
“Those first vines in 1969 was the biggest planting of cabernet sauvignon in the southern hemisphere at the time” company director, Justin Taylor, tells Verve. “Over the last 55 years the different generations have embraced innovation at both a varietal and range level.”
How do you ensure the winery evolves while still respecting the legacy of previous generations?
“The philosophy is new world wines that exhibit old world finesse, our wines must improve with every vintage but be true to the house style we have developed at Taylors Wines of the past 53 vintages.” Caring for the legacy of something started by your grandfather, and developed by your father, says Justin, is something that inspires great pride, “encouraging you to contribute your bit to current chapter of the journey”.
Though, that’s not to say it’s always smooth sailing!
“There have definitely been some interesting disagreements and debates over the years, particularly in the area of oak and regionality. My father had very clear ideas on what oak goes with what wine varieties.”
My father had very clear ideas on what oak goes with what wine varieties.
His father, he says, “would bleed cabernet sauvignon if cut!” and insists that they are a “cab house”: “We just have so much history with that varietal, the love of Cabernet, show success, real history.”
Sustainability is becoming an ever-increasing part of the Taylors’ story, too.“It’s something we take very seriously,” says Justin. “We signed up to Science Based Targets as part of the Paris Climate Agreement, and we are hitting our emissions reduction targets to reduce our emissions by 50% by 2030.”
It’s all part of a masterplan to ensure the legacy continues to ensure “opportunities for generation four to join the business”.
“We explore all the consumer trends the industry creates, and I love what we are doing in the Chardonnay space.”
And as for a perfect pairing to showcase Taylors wines at their best?
“Riesling and oysters – say no more!”
