Bondar Wines Violet Hour Shiraz 2024

The Violet Hour was the first wine the Bondar family made, and it still holds a special place in their collection. The name comes from a harvest sunset at Rayner Vineyard and proved appropriate for the wine: “It evokes purple velvet and flowers and softness,” Selina says.

This year, that floral note is layered with lush spice from an Eden Valley clone that Andre sought out for its Rhône-like aromatics. All fruit comes from the Rayner vineyard, where vines up to 75 years old sit on deep sandy soils with ironstone over limestone. Multiple blocks with varying aspects get bespoke treatment before blending. Some see whole-berry ferment, others longer time on skins, depending on what suits the grapes best.

The wine spent 10 months in mature oak and was blended in January after harvest. In the Bondars’ words: “we want our Violet Hour to be as transparent as possible, to express our unique and beautiful site.” Red fruit, char spice, and elusive elegance deliver just that.