Hope Springs Eternal is a new project for Bondar, with the vision to produce great, elegant, age-worthy wine from vineyard sites we believe to be among the best for the variety in the region.
The first release includes a Grenache from the Trott Wilpena vineyard high in Blewitt Springs, and a Shiraz from the esteemed Hickinbotham vineyard in Clarendon. And really the heart of these wines is altitude. The vineyard sites sit higher than Rayner, their elevation offering cool nights and warm days — conditions that extend the ripening season and nurture fruit with finesse, concentration, complexity, and beautiful natural acidity.
These wines are currently exclusively available to our mailing list and wine club members via pre-release offer. If you would like to sign up to the mailing list and receive the offer please email us at cellardoor@bondarwines.com.au.
2023 Hope Springs Eternal Grenache - 97 points, Halliday Wine Companion
"From the Trott vineyard’s '52 vines on Maslin Sands. About 80% of the fruit was fermented with 70% whole bunches and two weeks on skins; 20% saw 10% whole bunch and four weeks on skins; matured in sandstone amphorae and older oak. Well, here’s a thing. The darker tones of the Trott fruit are here, but decidedly in the red zone – deep red cherry, pomegranate molasses (not confected, just concentrated), dried cranberry, warm terracotta, crushed dark roses, caraway, white pepper and Baharat spices. There’s a bit of bunch for a cool year, but it quietly meshes in, upping the savoury interest while creating an engaging warp and weft of tannin, intricately woven, fine yet determined. This is detailed, layered and just so engaging. What a triumph."
2023 Hope Springs Eternal Grenache - 96 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
"This is from 1952 plantings on the Trott Vineyard. 70% whole bunch. Ten months in anfora and one seasoned 600L Stockinger barrel. Nice. That’s the way you do it. 778 bottles produced. We have reviewed 66 McLaren Vale Grenache wines from the 2023 vintage – HERE – and this sits near the top.
Here we have rosehip and Earl Grey tea, dusty spices, blackcurrant and raspberry, mint and thyme, hazelnut paste, something stony with a waft of petrichor. Medium-bodied at most, spicy, a pomegranate tang through a dark fruit profile, crushed stone tannin, orange peel, something of a Barbaresco thing happening here too (again, don’t mind me), with a peppery and dusty finish of excellent length. Wonderful wine. Beautifully made. Specific."
