White Gate Wine Co. Syrah Barossa Valley 2022
We have 10 in stock (Inventory is live and accurate)
The Land
Sourced from small, organically farmed vineyard parcels on the Barossa Valley floor, including sites north of Lyndoch and west of Nuriootpa. These vineyards sit on dense dark clay soils, which give the wine its deep colour and firm structure despite Connolly’s early-picking approach. Warm days and cool nights allow for full phenolic ripeness while preserving acidity. The 2022 vintage benefited from an even ripening period, creating the perfect conditions for Connolly’s early-picking philosophy. This is Barossa reimagined—one foot grounded in the old valley soils, the other stepping into the bright elegance of French Syrah.
The Wine
100% Syrah, fermented with 70% whole bunches and native yeast in open-top fermenters using a semi-carbonic method over 14 days. Basket pressed to seasoned hogsheads for élevage with no fining or filtration and minimal sulphur added at bottling. The result is a wine with a plush yet elegant palate: dark cherry, blueberry, cocoa nib, and savoury spice layered over fine, persistent tannins and lively natural acidity. Connolly’s light-touch, low-intervention style yields a Syrah of freshness and precision without compromising depth or texture.
The People
Chad Connolly founded White Gate Wine Co. to explore a lighter, more refined expression of Barossa varieties. Without traditional winery training, Connolly draws on the influences of Beaujolais and Burgundy, combining whole-bunch ferments, early harvests, and minimal intervention to craft wines of clarity and energy. Working closely with select growers and hand-tending every ferment, his aim is simple: expressive, terroir-driven wines that reflect the unique sites and seasons of Barossa, free from formula or convention.
Food Pairings:
Charcoal-Grilled Lamb Chops with Chimichurri – The wine’s bright acidity and fine tannins balance the richness of grilled lamb. The herbal brightness and piquant tang of chimichurri amplify the Syrah’s dark fruit and spice, creating a layered, compelling interplay of savory and fresh.
Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Bison Burger with Blue Cheese – Lean, flavorful bison pairs naturally with the Syrah’s plush fruit and taut structure. Caramelized onions and mushrooms enhance the wine’s earthy undertones, while blue cheese provides a bold, salty counterpoint that resonates with the wine’s depth and energy.
Mediterranean Chickpea and Grilled Vegetable Bowl with Olive Tapenade, Rosemary, Balsamic, and Feta – Grilled eggplant, zucchini, and peppers over chickpeas deliver smoky sweetness that complements the Syrah’s dark fruit core. Salty feta and briny olive tapenade echo the wine’s savory edge, while rosemary and a touch of balsamic lift the dish to meet the wine’s fresh acidity and fine tannins.
We ship wine to most states with a $100 minimum order for shipping. We don't ship spirits nor beer.
Weather shipping advisory: Orders placed during times of extreme heat or extreme cold will be held for no charge until more favorable weather returns.
South Australia is home to many of the country’s most famous wine regions and accounts for nearly half of Australia’s total wine production. The Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale are known for their warm climates and powerful Shiraz, Grenache, and Cabernet Sauvignon, often grown on ancient soils. Clare Valley and Eden Valley offer cooler conditions at higher elevations, producing intensely aromatic Riesling and finely structured Shiraz. The Adelaide Hills, with its cool nights and varied aspects, excels with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. Coonawarra, farther south, is famous for Cabernet Sauvignon grown on its distinctive terra rossa soils over limestone.
Australia - South Australia
Syrah is a dark-skinned grape of French origin, specifically from the Northern Rhône Valley, where it produces some of the world's most powerful and complex wines. Known as Shiraz in Australia, Syrah is capable of displaying a wide range of aromas and flavors. Cool climate Syrahs tend to express floral notes like violets, along with savory elements like olives, while those grown in warmer climates like Australia are more likely to show black pepper and dark fruit notes such as plum. The grape's versatility allows it to adapt to various climates and soil types, but it maintains its unique characteristics no matter where it is planted.
