The Opportunist: Leske acquires Nepenthe winery, a new home for Alliance in Australia

In 2004, I visited Nepenthe winery in the Adelaide Hills, meeting with then Chief Winemaker Peter Leske who developed an exciting and innovative range of wines which, in addition to the Adelaide Hills’ regulars (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Noir), featured a few less than usual suspects, including a Tempranillo. 

Leske left Nepenthe to work for The Australian Wine Research Institute, but kept his hand in as far as winemaking was concerned, among other projects, developing brands for UK importer Alliance Wine’s Australian subsidiary.  Very good they are too if the entry level One Chain The Opportunist Sauvignon Riesling 2009 from the Adelaide Hills is anything to go by – a great summer sip and snip at £6.99 at Find Wine. 

And the range looks set to become more interesting now that Leske has acquired the old Nepenthe facility at Lenswood, which had been moth-balled by the previous owners.  For Alliance it’s an opportunity to increase their commitment to Australian wine and make some of their range from scratch at the old Nepenthe winery, which has been re-named Revenir. 

Revenir indeed because Alliance’s new range will include Some Old Bull made by Leske from a specially selected parcel of Adelaide Hills Tempranillo and Grenache grapes from this year’s vintage.  It’s slated for release next year.