Patritti Wines

Giovanni Patritti was among the first Italian immigrants to arrive in South Australia. In 1925, a 25 year old Giovanni boarded a ship at the port of Genoa and left his Piedmontese village of Carru for a brighter future. He believed he was on his way to America to meet his sister. Instead he landed at Port Adelaide, South Australia, on the 28th of April, 1926.

With not a word of English, Giovanni still managed to swiftly gain employment. He changed his Italian name to the more 'Australian' John, and after a number of different jobs, began selling ice-cream at the gates of the Botanic Gardens in Adelaide.

Just one year later, Giovanni was leasing vineyards in the Brighton District, 15km south of Adelaide City (now the City of Marion), and making wine for the 'new Australians'.

By the late 1920s Giovanni owned a number of acres of vineyard and had built a winery with his best friend, Cristiano (Jimmy) Bissacca. From the late 1920s until the 1960s, Patritti predominantly produced dry red table wines and fortified wines.

Out of a need to diversify and continue business growth in the early 1970s, the Patritti family came up with an ingenious and resourceful solution - one that has remained a unique point of difference for more than 40 years. 1974 saw the first release of 100% natural non-alcoholic sparkling grape juices from wine grapes. Some years later apple juice was introduced.

Since the late 2000s, Patritti has shifted their focus towards premium wines and adopted 'new' and rare grape varieties, adding depth and diversity to an already extensive range.

Patritti has been awarded the coveted red five-star winery status by international wine icon, James Halliday, and maintains this ranking by receiving over 90 points for multiple wines each year.

Consecutive vintages of Patritti's flagship wine, JPB Single Vineyard Shiraz, which lauds the arrival of Giovanni Patritti in 1926, have been rated an impressive 97 points by Halliday.

In 1960 the Patritti family needed new land to keep up with the growing wine business, and the natural choice was the nearby region of McLaren Vale.

Two sites, one in Blewitt Springs and the other in Tatachilla, were purchased and planted with Shiraz and Grenache. These now very mature, high-quality vineyards, consistently produce excellent fruit for the family's own wines. 

BLEWITT SPRINGS VINEYARD

After purchasing Lot 3 Elliots Road, Blewitt Springs in 1960, the Patritti family began planting their new Shiraz vineyard. By 1969 twenty-five acres of Shiraz had been planted on the ancient 56 million year old soil known as North Maslin sand. Its elevation of 156 metres and natural balance give the site an identity of its own.

Each year the best rows are selected by our winemakers and the fruit is used to craft our flagship wine, JPB Limited Release Shiraz. Another exceptional parcel is selected for use in our Lot Three Shiraz with the remainder of the vineyard used in our Old Gate Shiraz. 

Despite these wines being crafted from the same vineyard, the changes in aspect, elevation and soil type ensure each has its own personality, requiring a different approach in the winemaking process.

TATACHILLA VINEYARD

Giovanni Patritti purchased Section 181 Branson Road, Tatachilla in the southern region of McLaren Vale in 1960. After its purchase the Patritti family began planting numerous grape varieties, one of which was Grenache. Today, fifteen acres of the original dry grown grenache plantings still remain.'

The fruit from these exceptional old vines is used in the Section 181 Single Vineyard Grenache and Merchant Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre blend.

THE HISTORIC MARION VINEYARD

The city of Marion was once known as the 'Garden of Adelaide', with the rich, fertile soils producing vegetables, fruits and grapes. When Giovanni Patritti arrived in Australia in 1925 he decided the Marion district was the perfect place to grow grapes and set up his family business.

By the 1950s population growth and the demand for housing saw much of the land converted to residential allotments and dwellings. Only a few tiny vineyards remain; the most significant of these is the world famous, council owned, Marion Vineyard. Over 100 years old, the vineyard is a reminder of the history of the district and the quality of the produce it was once famous for.

In 2006 the City of Marion decided that the last operational winery in the district, Patritti, should be given the responsibility of caring for the vineyard. We take our custodianship of this precious vineyard with great pride.

When Giovanni passed away in 1968, his winemaking legacy was handed down to his three sons Peter, John, Geoff and daughter Ines.

In 2001 Giovanni's grandson, James Mungall joined the business and took over winemaking duties in 2004. When he was joined by his friend and fellow oenology classmate, Ben Heide, in 2006 they began to experiment with premium and ultra-premium wines and alternative varieties.

JAMES MUNGALL

In 2001 Giovanni's grandson, James Mungall, joined the business and in 2004 James became Winemaker. As the third generation in a family of winemakers, turning grapes into wine comes naturally to James.

"I wasn't forced into it, I just grew up around the winery and never thought of doing anything else."

James, who is the son of Patritti's Managing Director, Ines Patritti, and one of two winemakers, says the business is a family affair.

"We have modernised the winery a lot in the last few years, but we have maintained the old school values and heritage. It means a lot to me, carrying on the business my grandfather started. When my Nonno came from Italy, he leased and then purchased a piece of dirt. It is the same dirt we are still making wine from and using the original cellar."

BEN HEIDE

Ben first began working part-time at Patritti in 2002 whilst studying Oenology at the University of Adelaide. Upon completing his undergraduate degree in 2003, Ben honed his skills in McLaren Vale before returning to Patritti as Winemaker.

In January 2006, Patritti restructured their winemaking department and Ben was asked to re-join the business as Winemaker. And so, after a short stint in McLaren Vale, Ben returned to the historic winery at Dover Gardens.

Over the years, Ben has been heavily involved in many changes and in some ways a total metamorphosis of the brand and image of Patritti. Today the focus has shifted towards premium wines and an adoption of 'new' and rare grape varieties that add depth and diversity to an already extensive portfolio.