2024 Reed Alexia Grenache – Vine Vale, Barossa Valley, SA – 100–150-Year-Old Vines

🍷 UP TO 150-YEAR-OLD GRENACHE VINES – ONE OF THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY OLD-VINE GRENACHE VINEYARDS IN THE BAROSSA! JUST 333 DOZEN PRODUCED!

2024 Reed Alexia Grenache – Vine Vale, Barossa Valley, South Australia

100–150-Year-Old Biodynamic Bush Vines | Only 333 Dozen Produced | RRP $42

There are old-vine Grenache wines, and then there are wines like the 2024 Reed Alexia Grenache. Sourced from extraordinary bush vines aged between 100 and 150 years in the sandy soils of Vine Vale, this is a remarkable expression of one of Australia's most precious viticultural treasures.

And at just $42 a bottle, the pedigree of the vineyard is nothing short of extraordinary.

This is not your typical rich, powerful Barossa Grenache.

Quite the opposite.

The 2024 Reed Alexia Grenache is all about fragrance, delicacy, elegance and extraordinary vineyard expression.

Produced by the fascinating and fiercely independent winemaker Sierra Reed, this is a wine that celebrates the remarkable character of ancient Grenache vines growing in one of the Barossa Valley's most distinctive subregions.

The fruit comes from Schliebs Family Farm, a biodynamically cultivated vineyard owned and maintained by Wayne and Suzi Ahrens.

These remarkable old bush vines grow in the deep sandy soils of Vine Vale, producing fruit with a distinctive personality that Sierra has spent years exploring and interpreting.

Only 333 dozen were produced in 2024.

Ancient vines. Biodynamic farming. Wild fermentation. Twelve months in large-format neutral French oak. A tiny production of just 333 dozen. And an RRP of only $42.

This is precisely the kind of wine that makes Australian Grenache so exciting.

🍇 Sierra Reed – One of Australia's Most Fascinating Independent Winemakers

Sierra Reed is not your conventional Australian winemaker.

An American-born, self-taught winemaker based on Victoria's Surf Coast, Sierra has developed an extraordinary international perspective through her experience making wine in Australia, Europe, New Zealand and California.

Her approach is deeply personal.

Rather than building a range around conventional regional expectations or commercial wine styles, Sierra focuses on individual vineyards and the unique stories they have to tell.

Her wines are expressions of place, vintage and the people responsible for growing the grapes.

There is an almost philosophical quality to her approach.

For Sierra, winemaking is not simply about producing something technically correct or commercially appealing.

It is about understanding the vineyard, recognising the individuality of the fruit and allowing those qualities to emerge in the finished wine.

The Alexia Grenache is perhaps one of the most compelling examples of this philosophy.

Sierra first made wine from this remarkable Vine Vale site in 2017, and her relationship with the vineyard has continued to develop with each successive vintage.

This is not Grenache made to fit a predetermined style. It is Grenache made to express the remarkable character of one very special vineyard.

🌳 100–150-Year-Old Bush Vines – A Living Piece of Barossa History

One of the most extraordinary aspects of the 2024 Reed Alexia Grenache is the age of the vines.

The fruit comes from Grenache bush vines aged approximately 100 to 150 years, growing at Schliebs Family Farm in Vine Vale.

Think about that for a moment.

Some of these vines were already established generations before modern Australian wine culture began to take shape.

They have survived countless growing seasons, changing agricultural practices and decades during which Grenache was often undervalued.

Today, these ancient vineyards are recognised as some of the most precious assets in Australian wine.

Old bush vines can develop extensive root systems and an extraordinary relationship with their surrounding environment.

Their naturally balanced growth and often modest yields can contribute to wines of remarkable concentration, complexity and individuality.

But the magic of old-vine Grenache is not necessarily about producing bigger, richer wines.

In the finest sandy-soil vineyards of Vine Vale, ancient vines can produce wines of extraordinary fragrance, delicacy and finesse.

The 2024 Reed Alexia Grenache is a wonderful reminder that some of Australia's greatest vineyards are capable of producing wines defined by elegance rather than sheer power.

🏜️ Vine Vale – The Fragrant, Elegant Side of Barossa Grenache

Vine Vale is one of the Barossa Valley's most fascinating and distinctive subregions.

Situated in the eastern part of the valley, it is particularly celebrated for its deep sandy soils and remarkable old Grenache vineyards.

These sandy sites can produce wines that differ considerably from the richer, more muscular expressions associated with some other parts of the Barossa.

Vine Vale Grenache is often celebrated for its delicate red-fruit perfume, floral complexity, fine tannins and beautiful sense of freshness.

There can be an almost Pinot Noir-like elegance to the finest examples.

Rather than overwhelming the palate with concentration and alcohol, these wines frequently emphasise fragrance, texture and subtle savoury complexity.

For serious Grenache enthusiasts, Vine Vale has become one of the most exciting places in Australia.

The region's ancient vineyards are capable of producing wines with a wonderful combination of historical significance and contemporary appeal.

Sierra Reed's Alexia Grenache captures the lighter, more fragrant and beautifully nuanced side of this extraordinary Barossa terroir.

🌱 Schliebs Family Farm – Biodynamic Viticulture & Ancient Grenache

The vineyard responsible for Alexia Grenache is Schliebs Family Farm, owned and maintained by Wayne and Suzi Ahrens.

The site is farmed biodynamically, with an emphasis on vineyard health, biodiversity and maintaining a balanced agricultural environment.

The ancient bush vines are particularly significant.

Unlike modern trellised vineyards, traditional bush vines grow as freestanding plants, with their natural form helping define the character of the vineyard.

These old Grenache vines are part of the living history of the Barossa Valley.

Preserving them requires considerable dedication, especially when compared with the convenience and productivity of more modern vineyard systems.

For Sierra Reed, the importance of the site goes well beyond the age of the vines.

It is about the distinctive character of the fruit and the remarkable relationship between Grenache and the sandy soils of Vine Vale.

This is a wine with genuine vineyard heritage, produced from fruit grown by people who understand the importance of protecting Australia's extraordinary old vines.

🍷 Meticulous Winemaking – Hand-Picked, Wild-Fermented & Neutral Oak

The winemaking behind the 2024 Alexia Grenache is every bit as fascinating as the vineyard itself.

Sierra personally hand-picked the grapes at dawn before transporting the fruit across the border to Torquay in Victoria for vinification.

The fruit was then hand-destemmed and sorted.

Fermentation occurred naturally with wild yeasts, allowing the characteristics of the fruit and vintage to remain central to the wine.

Following fermentation, the wine spent 12 months in large-format neutral French oak.

This is an important detail.

Rather than relying on new oak to contribute obvious vanilla, toast or woody flavours, the use of neutral oak provides a vessel for maturation without overwhelming the delicate character of the Grenache.

The emphasis remains firmly on vineyard expression, fragrance and texture.

The finished wine has an alcohol content of 13.5%, reinforcing its elegant, restrained personality.

Hand-harvested ancient vines, wild fermentation and carefully measured oak maturation – this is thoughtful, sensitive winemaking designed to preserve the extraordinary character of the vineyard.

🌹 Rose Petals, Pomegranate, Wild Berries & Beautiful Savoury Complexity

The 2024 Reed Alexia Grenache is a wonderfully delicate and aromatic interpretation of Barossa Grenache.

The wine displays a light garnet colour, immediately suggesting a style built around elegance rather than density.

The aromatic profile is particularly captivating.

Rose petals, pomegranate, delicate red berries and sweet spice are complemented by intriguing notes of pink pepper, native berry characters and earthy complexity.

There is a beautiful interplay between fruit purity and savoury detail.

On the palate, the wine is bright, juicy and beautifully layered.

The fruit is vibrant and expressive, yet the overall impression is one of delicacy and precision.

Fine texture and refreshing acidity provide definition, while the savoury undertones add depth and complexity.

This is not a heavy, extracted Grenache.

It is a wine that achieves intensity through detail rather than sheer weight.

The result is an extraordinarily appealing combination of fragrance, freshness and subtle complexity.

If you love the elegance of fine Pinot Noir, the perfume of great Grenache and the savoury character of beautifully crafted European reds, this wine deserves your attention.

🇫🇷 Grenache with the Elegance of Great Pinot Noir

One of the most fascinating developments in Australian wine over the past decade has been the transformation of Grenache.

For generations, the variety was frequently used in fortified wine production or as a blending component.

Today, it is responsible for some of Australia's most exciting and highly regarded red wines.

And perhaps the most interesting examples are those that emphasise fragrance, finesse and vineyard individuality.

The finest sandy-soil Grenache can possess an elegance that appeals enormously to lovers of red Burgundy.

Delicate red-fruit perfume, floral complexity, fine tannins and subtle savoury notes are characteristics that both varieties can share.

Sierra Reed's Alexia Grenache belongs firmly within this more refined, aromatic tradition.

It is not attempting to imitate Pinot Noir.

Rather, it demonstrates that Grenache is capable of delivering a similarly captivating combination of perfume, delicacy and complexity.

For lovers of elegant red Burgundy, fragrant cool-climate reds and the finest modern Australian Grenache, Alexia is a particularly exciting discovery.

🍷 The 2024 Vintage – A Remarkable Expression of a Special Site

The 2024 growing season presented several challenges in the vineyard.

Frost, limited rainfall and difficult weather during flowering contributed to reduced yields.

However, dry and consistent conditions during the harvest period allowed the production of high-quality fruit.

For Sierra Reed, the resulting wine is particularly meaningful.

Having worked with this vineyard since 2017, she has developed an intimate understanding of how its character changes from vintage to vintage.

The 2024 release reminded her of that first vintage, highlighting the delicate, haunting and intricately layered personality that makes the site so special.

This connection between winemaker and vineyard is one of the most compelling aspects of the Alexia story.

Each vintage is an opportunity to explore another dimension of these remarkable old vines.

The 2024 release is a fascinating expression of both the growing season and Sierra Reed's continuing relationship with one of the Barossa Valley's most treasured Grenache vineyards.

🍽️ A Beautifully Versatile Food Wine

The elegant, fragrant style of Alexia Grenache makes it wonderfully versatile at the dinner table.

Its delicate red-fruit characters and savoury complexity make it particularly appealing alongside roast chicken, duck, charcuterie, grilled vegetables and mushroom dishes.

It would also be an excellent partner for Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, wood-fired pizza or lighter preparations of lamb.

Unlike richer Barossa reds that can dominate more delicate dishes, this style of Grenache offers freshness and finesse.

Consider serving it slightly cool, particularly during warmer weather, to emphasise its beautiful fragrance and vibrant fruit.

This is a red wine that can be enjoyed throughout the year, whether over a long lunch, with a beautifully prepared dinner or simply shared with friends.

🍷 Why We Love This Wine at Liquid Vibe

At Liquid Vibe, we have enormous respect for Australia's extraordinary old-vine Grenache vineyards.

Some of these vines are among the country's greatest viticultural treasures, and the wines they produce can be absolutely breathtaking.

But what makes the 2024 Reed Alexia Grenache particularly exciting is the style.

This is not another big, powerful Barossa red.

It is a beautifully fragrant, delicate and nuanced expression of Grenache from ancient vines growing in the sandy soils of Vine Vale.

Sierra Reed is a fascinating winemaker, and her commitment to expressing the individuality of this remarkable vineyard is evident in every aspect of the wine's production.

From the biodynamically farmed bush vines to the hand-harvesting, wild fermentation and maturation in large-format neutral oak, everything is directed towards preserving the character of the fruit.

And then there is the price.

Just $42 a bottle for Grenache from vines aged up to 150 years, with only 333 dozen produced.

That is a remarkable proposition.

For anyone who appreciates the finest modern Australian Grenache, beautifully fragrant red wines or the extraordinary heritage of the Barossa Valley's ancient vineyards, this is a wine that deserves serious attention.

100–150-year-old vines. Biodynamic farming. Sandy Vine Vale soils. Only 333 dozen produced. Just $42 a bottle.

This is exactly the kind of extraordinary, individual and beautifully crafted Australian wine we love discovering at Liquid Vibe.

Wine Details

• Producer: Reed Wines

• Winemaker: Sierra Reed

• Wine: Alexia Grenache

• Vintage: 2024

• Region: Vine Vale, Barossa Valley, South Australia

• Variety: 100% Grenache

• Vineyard: Schliebs Family Farm

• Vine Age: Approximately 100–150 years

• Viticulture: Biodynamically farmed bush vines

• Harvest: Hand-picked at dawn

• Fermentation: Wild fermentation

• Oak Maturation: 12 months in large-format neutral French oak

• Alcohol: 13.5%

• Production: 333 dozen

• Closure: Screwcap

• Style: Elegant, fragrant, light-bodied old-vine Grenache

• RRP: $42 per bottle

• Food Pairing: Roast duck, roast chicken, charcuterie, grilled vegetables, mushroom dishes and Mediterranean cuisine

• Serving Suggestion: Lightly chilled, approximately 14–16°C