Behind the Label

Coriole Vineyards

By Jill Kwiatkoski, Sommelier (CAPS)

Picture it: South Australia 1919. The First World War has just ended, the land is raw and untouched, and on what was known as the old Chaffey Road Estate, new Shiraz vines are planted. Decades go by, land ownership changes, and then along comes 1967, where a young and eager Hugh and Molly Lloyd (and a small group of their friends) decide to purchase 12 acres of those old vineyards and name it Coriole. A couple of years later, the Lloyds become the sole owners of Coriole Vineyards, and in 1970, they release their first wine, a Shiraz, of course.

Along with that famous Aussie Shiraz, the Lloyds have continued to produce other traditional Australian grape varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache, on their McLaren Vale vineyards. In 1979, Hugh and Molly’s son, Mark (second generation) took over the family business and carried on his parents’ winemaking traditions. Then, in 1985, Mark decided he wanted to bring the worlds of food and wine together. He headed to the food mecca—Tuscany, Italy— and fell in love with the famous food-friendly grape variety, Sangiovese. Mark brought Sangiovese back to McLaren Vale and was one of the first to plant it in Australia. Finding huge success, Mark decided to continue planting Italian grape varieties.

Coriole 2020 Chenin Blanc ($21.99); 2016 The Optimist Chenin Blanc ($29.99); 2018 Songbird Cabernet Sauvignon ($23.99); 2018 Sangiovese ($27.99); 2019 Dancing Fig Shiraz Mourvèdre ($26.99); 2018 The Soloist Shiraz ($39.99); 2016 Lloyd Reserve Shiraz ($79.99).

Now Mark’s sons, Duncan Lloyd (head winemaker) and Peter Lloyd (general manager)—the third generation—are taking over the family business, with their dad by their side. Coriole Vineyard traditions continue to run deep in their veins, but each generation brings new and exciting winemaking styles, varieties of wines, and creative ideas to the market. Duncan and Peter are carrying on their family tradition through their love of Australian and Italian grape varieties, as well as through their creativity and focus on diversity in their vineyards.

“Many of the grape varieties that originated in Italy are well-suited to our Mediterranean climate here in McLaren Vale,” explains Peter. “In Australia, we are not bound by appellation restrictions or guided by historical ideas of style, which means we can let the soils, fruit, and climate guide us. We can experiment with grape varieties and alter our fermentation management techniques to achieve the right balance of structure and fruit, producing wines that are fullflavoured with bright, fresh fruit.” The Lloyd family owns and manages 25 vineyards (totalling 54 hectares) with vines ranging in age from 3 to 100 years old. The vineyards comprise 65% Shiraz, 10% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Chenin Blanc, and 5% Nero d’Avola. The final 10% is made up of grape varieties such as Mourvèdre, Grenache, Barbera, Fiano, Piquepoul, Negroamaro, and Montepulciano—all farmed organically and sustainably.

Remember those Shiraz vines planted in 1919? Well, they not only produced that first vintage of Hugh and Molly’s Claret; today, they produce the Shiraz grapes that are used to make their iconic Lloyd Reserve Shiraz.

“We have a more focussed approach and, whilst our experimentation is constant, we have managed to home in on our key strengths and push them forward. We also continue to build a dynamic and focussed team. Coriole may be a family-owned business, but it’s the team of great staff that makes the business what it is.”

Coriole Vineyards represents the best in family-run wineries. For decades, they have thrived on family—and with the third generation of Lloyds at the helm, Coriole Vineyards is producing absolutely stunning, unique, and award-winning wines with the pride of family in every bottle. When you buy Coriole wines, you are not only buying beautifully crafted wines—you are bringing the traditions of generations of the Lloyd family into your home.