The Whole Dam Family
⏳ Drinking Window
2022 - 2028
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Slow-roasted lamb shoulder, grilled barbecue ribs, wood-fired meat lover's pizza
✨ Technical Specifications
Named with a cheeky nod to the diverse family of traditional Rhône grape varieties that thrive in the Barossa Valley, The Whole Dam Family is a clever and robust red blend from the historic Chateau Tanunda. This wine brings together Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvèdre, Carignan, and Cinsault, celebrating the warm-climate varieties that have defined the region's viticultural landscape since the late 19th century. Sourced from select Barossa vineyards, the fruit is handled with traditional winemaking techniques, including open fermenters and basket pressing, to preserve its rich, fruit-forward character and soft, approachable tannins. The result is a harmonious, complex, and spirited blend that showcases the collaborative synergy of these classic varieties, offering a plush palate of dark berries, spice, and savory undertones.
🍾 About the Producer
Constructed in 1890 from local Bethany bluestone, Château Tanunda stands as an iconic monument to early Australian viticulture. Originally erected to fulfill European wine demand following the phylloxera epidemic, the historic estate fell into disrepair until it was acquired and painstakingly revitalized by John Geber in 1998. Today managed by second-generation custodian Michelle Geber alongside senior winemaker Jeremy Ottawa, the property occupies a prized floor position in the Barossa Valley. The estate oversees deeply rooted vineyard parcels anchored in ancient red-brown clays and loams over limestone, moderated by warm Mediterranean sunshine and cool nocturnal katabatic breezes from the Barossa Ranges. Viticulture emphasizes conservation and environmental certification through Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. Winemaking combines basket-pressing and traditional open fermentation with seasoned French and American oak aging. The estate is widely acclaimed for its Old Vine Expressions—including 50, 100, and 150 Year Old Vines Shiraz and Field Blends—alongside the pinnacle Everest Shiraz and benchmark Grand Barossa portfolio.
🍇 Grapes
Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsault
🍷 ABV
14.0-14.5%