Swinney Frankland River Grenache 2022

Winemaking and Drinking

In the quiet, rugged beauty of Western Australia’s Frankland River, something extraordinary is happening. A revolution, not with noise or fanfare, but with vines, soil and a deep respect for place. At the heart of it is Swinney Vineyards, and their now iconic Grenache, a wine that has not only redefined the variety in the west, but has shaken up the entire Australian wine scene.

Origins

The Swinney family has farmed this land for generations, but it was not until the early 2000s that they began to focus seriously on wine. Their Wilson’s Pool vineyard, planted with dry grown bush vines, is now the beating heart of their Grenache story. These low, gnarled vines are a far cry from the high yielding workhorses of old. They are carefully managed, hand picked and treated with the kind of reverence usually reserved for Burgundy.

Enter Rob Mann, one of Australia’s most intuitive winemakers. With a light touch and a deep understanding of fruit, Mann has helped shape the Swinney Grenache into something truly special. His approach is almost Pinot-like whole berries, wild fermentation, gentle extraction and ageing in large seasoned oak. The result is a wine that is both wild and refined, rustic and elegant.

Tasting

The Swinney Frankland River Grenache opens with a captivating bouquet of wild raspberries, rose petals and crushed herbs, underpinned by a subtle earthiness that hints at the ironstone rich soils of its origin. On the palate, it is both graceful and grounded medium-bodied with a silken texture that glides effortlessly. Bright red cherry and cranberry notes lead the charge, followed by layers of blood orange, dried thyme and a whisper of white pepper. There is a savoury edge that adds intrigue, balanced by a fine line of acidity that keeps the wine fresh and focused. Tannins are powdery and persistent, giving structure without weight. The finish is long, mineral-driven and quietly powerful, leaving a lasting impression of purity and place. This is Grenache with soul vibrant, expressive and unmistakably Western Australian.

It is a product of place, of patience and of people who believe that greatness comes from listening to the land. In a world of overworked wines and over polished styles, it stands out as something honest, raw and utterly compelling.

Awards and Accolades

The Swinney Frankland River Grenache, particularly under the Farvie label, has earned a reputation as one of the most critically acclaimed Grenache wines in Australia. The 2020 vintage of the Farvie Grenache made headlines when it received an unprecedented 99 points from Winepilot, marking the highest score ever awarded by the publication to a Grenache. This score was not just a number it was a statement that this wine had redefined what Grenache could be in Western Australia.

The acclaim did not stop there. The Swinney vineyard itself was awarded Young Gun of Wine’s Australian Vineyard of the Year in 2020, a recognition of both the vineyard’s meticulous viticulture and its role in producing wines of exceptional character and provenance. The judging panel praised Swinney for combining modern viticulture with old-world techniques, all while maintaining a strong environmental focus.

These accolades have positioned Swinney’s Grenache not just as a standout in the west, but as a benchmark for the variety across the country. It is now considered one of Australia’s flagship Grenache expressions, celebrated for its purity, structure and unmistakable sense of place.

It has also earned accolades from James Halliday, The Wine Advocate and Winepilot, and has become a must have for serious cellars