Source of the Nile is the personal winemaking project of Scott McGarry, working with carefully sourced fruit from vineyards across South Australia. His approach centres on minimal intervention, wild fermentation and Mediterranean grape varieties, producing expressive, characterful wines with an emphasis on freshness and drinkability.

Clarete 2026 takes inspiration from the traditional Spanish practice of co-fermenting red and white grapes to produce a light, refreshing wine that sits somewhere between rosé and red. This Australian interpretation brings together Grenache Blanc from Heidenreich Vineyards in Vine Vale, Barossa Valley, and Mataro grown by Stan Ivanov at Mill About Vineyard in Williamstown.

The two varieties were co-fermented in equal proportions. The Grenache Blanc was directly pressed, with its juice poured over the Mataro grapes, 95% destemmed and 5% whole bunch. After five days on skins, the wine was matured for six months across seasoned French oak barriques, an old American oak puncheon and stainless steel. Wild fermented, unfiltered and bottled with minimal sulphur.

Wonderfully aromatic and savoury, with blackcurrant, mulberry and sour apple complemented by Szechuan pepper and dried thyme. The Grenache Blanc brings freshness and lift, while the Mataro contributes darker fruit and a subtle savoury edge.

At just 11.5% alcohol, this is a particularly refreshing and versatile wine, made to be enjoyed chilled. A lovely expression of the Spanish Clarete tradition through an Australian lens.