Touriga Nacional, Tempranillo, Fiano, Nero d'Avola: Emerging Alternatives in McLaren Vale, Clare Valley & Barossa

McLaren Vale sits 45 minutes south of Adelaide in South Australia, bordered by the Mt Lofty Ranges to the east and south and the Gulf St Vincent to the west. Its Mediterranean climate, characterised by warm summers, moderate winters, and winter-dominated rainfall of around 180 to 200 mm during the growing season, makes it naturally suited to heat-tolerant varieties such as Fiano, Nero d'Avola, and Tempranillo. Two distinct wind sources, gully winds from the foothills and sea breezes from the Gulf, moderate temperature extremes and create significant mesoclimatic variation across vineyards that sit mostly between 50 and 250 metres elevation, with peaks above 350 metres near Sellicks and Chandlers Hill. Clare Valley lies to the north of Adelaide, in the northern reaches of the Mt Lofty Ranges, where vineyards are planted at 400 to 500 metres elevation. Its moderately continental climate delivers warm to hot summer days followed by markedly cool nights, with summer daytime maximums approaching 30°C dropping to around 13°C overnight. This pronounced diurnal range slows ripening, retains natural acidity, and underpins the region's reputation for aromatic and structured wines. Barossa Valley, with its warm continental climate, is most relevant for Touriga Nacional and Nero d'Avola in higher-altitude sub-zones, while the neighbouring Eden Valley at cooler elevations has also demonstrated suitability for white varieties including Fiano.

• McLaren Vale: Mediterranean climate, 180 to 200 mm growing season rainfall, maritime moderation from Gulf St Vincent; elevation peaks above 350 metres
• Clare Valley: 400 to 500 metres elevation, approximately 600 mm annual rainfall, continental climate with dramatic diurnal temperature swings up to 17°C during ripening
• Barossa Valley: warm continental climate; elevated sub-zones and the cooler Eden Valley expand the palette for heat-loving and aromatic varieties
• McLaren Vale's diverse soil mosaic, including ironstone, sandy loam, and ancient clay, contributes to the textural complexity characteristic of its alternative variety wines

Touriga Nacional, Portugal's most celebrated red grape, was historically planted across South Australia for fortified wine production. Today it is being reimagined as a table wine, either as a varietal or blended with Tempranillo in the manner of its homeland. Australian expressions are typically well-coloured, rich, and powerful with good natural balance, displaying dark fruit, violet, and characteristic perfumed intensity. Tempranillo, Spain's premier red, has taken enthusiastic root across Australian wine regions from the Barossa foothills to the Riverland. In McLaren Vale and Clare Valley, its natural balance of red fruit, spice, and food-friendly structure makes it equally rewarding as an early drinker or a short-to-medium term cellaring proposition. Fiano, originally from Campania in southern Italy, has become a true Australian alternative variety success story. Its ability to retain high natural acidity and aromatic freshness in warm climates, combined with a textural palate, makes it a natural fit for McLaren Vale and Clare Valley. Nero d'Avola, Sicily's most widely planted red, is finding favour in warmer sites in McLaren Vale and Barossa, where it produces bold fruit richness and spice with good approachability.

• Touriga Nacional: dark plum, violet, and intense perfume; historically used for fortified wine in Australia, now compelling as a table wine varietal and Tempranillo blend partner
• Tempranillo: red cherry, subtle spice, earthy structure; balanced acidity and medium body make it one of Australia's most food-versatile alternative reds
• Fiano: stone fruit, anise, green almond, saline finish; naturally retains freshness and acidity even in warm McLaren Vale and Clare Valley conditions
• Nero d'Avola: bold cherry and berry fruit, spice, and approachable tannins; suited to shorter cellaring with strong affinity for grilled and roasted foods

S.C. Pannell, founded in 2004 by Stephen Pannell and Fiona Lindquist in McLaren Vale, is widely considered the leading champion of Iberian and Italian varieties in South Australia. Stephen saw the potential for Touriga Nacional and Tempranillo while working as Chief Red Winemaker at BRL Hardy in the late 1990s, and his Tempranillo Touriga blend is one of McLaren Vale's most recognised and lauded alternative variety wines. d'Arenberg, the Osborn family estate founded in 1912 and now in its fourth generation under Chester Osborn, has been instrumental in introducing Tempranillo and Souzao alongside its traditional Rhone and Shiraz portfolio. Gemtree Wines, a certified organic and biodynamic third-generation family estate, has managed its 125-hectare McLaren Vale vineyard biodynamically since 2007, with Fiano and Tempranillo among its varietal highlights. Oliver's Taranga Vineyards, a long-established McLaren Vale estate, grows Fiano, Tempranillo, Mencia, and Touriga on its 100-hectare Taranga property and is recognised as a benchmark for McLaren Vale Fiano. Mount Horrocks in the Clare Valley produces a respected Nero d'Avola, and Pikes and Kilikanoon are among the Clare producers exploring Fiano and Tempranillo.

• S.C. Pannell (McLaren Vale, est. 2004): benchmark Tempranillo Touriga blend, plus varietal Fiano, Nero d'Avola, and Aglianico; four-time Bushing Trophy winner
• d'Arenberg (McLaren Vale, est. 1912): pioneer of Tempranillo and Souzao introduction to the region; biodynamic and organic certified since 2016
• Gemtree Wines (McLaren Vale): certified organic and biodynamic estate since 2011; Fiano and Tempranillo among its premium varietal range
• Oliver's Taranga Vineyards (McLaren Vale): 100-hectare estate growing Fiano, Tempranillo, Mencia, and Touriga; widely cited as a regional Fiano benchmark

Organic and biodynamic viticulture has taken strong hold among McLaren Vale's alternative variety producers, driven partly by the climate suitability of Mediterranean varieties, which tend to be drought-tolerant and require less management than classic French varieties in warm conditions. Gemtree has managed its entire 125-hectare estate biodynamically since 2007, achieving ACO certification in 2011. d'Arenberg converted all estate and leased vineyards to NASAA-certified organic and biodynamic management in 2016, making it one of the largest biodynamic certified wine grape growers in Australia. Yangarra Estate Vineyard began its organic and biodynamic journey in 2008 and has been certified since 2012. Over 37 percent of McLaren Vale's vineyards are now certified organic or biodynamic, with a further significant number participating in Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. Canopy management, dry-grown viticulture, and minimal-intervention winemaking are common features across alternative variety producers, with a focus on preserving freshness, natural acidity, and textural complexity.

• Gemtree Wines: biodynamic management from 2007, ACO certified 2011; 125 hectares including Fiano, Tempranillo, Grenache, and Shiraz
• d'Arenberg: all vineyards NASAA certified organic and biodynamic since 2016; traditional basket pressing and foot treading maintained
• Over 37% of McLaren Vale's vineyards are certified organic or biodynamic, one of the highest concentrations of any Australian wine region
• Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (SWA) program, developed with significant McLaren Vale producer participation, provides a framework for non-certified sustainable producers across all three regions

One of the compelling selling points for these four varieties in South Australia is their natural affinity with food, driven by genuine acidity, moderate tannin structures, and aromatic complexity rather than sheer weight or alcohol. Corrina Wright of Oliver's Taranga has noted that the key to whites in warm regions like McLaren Vale is to work with varieties that maintain high natural acidity, and Fiano satisfies this requirement while also thriving in low-vigour, low-water conditions. The S.C. Pannell team describes their Tempranillo Touriga blend as the ultimate charcuterie wine, suited to salumi, Serrano-style ham, grilled chorizo, and hard ewe's milk cheeses. Nero d'Avola's bold fruit richness and spice makes it a natural partner for grilled and roasted meats and rustic Italian preparations. Fiano's textural palate, anise notes, and crisp finish align beautifully with seafood, lighter pasta dishes, and herb-driven Mediterranean cuisine.

• Touriga Nacional: Portuguese-style grilled meats, aged hard cheeses, slow-braised lamb; tannin structure rewards pairing with rich, savoury dishes
• Tempranillo: charcuterie and cured meats, grilled chorizo, roasted lamb shoulder, hard ewe's milk cheeses; the variety's signature spice bridges Iberian and Australian food cultures
• Fiano: grilled seafood, light pasta, burrata, herb-crusted fish; natural freshness and textural palate are ideal for warm-weather Mediterranean dining
• Nero d'Avola: grilled and barbecued meats, wood-fired pizza, rustic Italian preparations; fruit richness and spice pair well with boldly flavoured food

The Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show (AAVWS), which grew from the Sangiovese Challenge founded in Mildura in 1999 by Stefano de Pieri, Dr Ron Bonfiglioli, and the Chalmers family, has been the principal platform for recognising and promoting these varieties nationally. The show's 25th edition in 2025 received 789 entries spanning 69 regions and 98 grape varieties. Fiano was cited as the standout alternative white variety success story, with high entry numbers, strong regional distinctions, and a developing Australian personality distinct from its Campanian origins. Nero d'Avola similarly earned recognition, with Orbis Wines Nero d'Avola 2024 winning both Best Red Wine and Best Italian Red at the 2025 AAVWS. Industry commentators increasingly regard Fiano, Tempranillo, and Nero d'Avola as moving beyond novelty status to genuine regional signatures, particularly in McLaren Vale where they are now listed in mainstream wine show classes. The term alternative variety is itself being questioned, with leading winemakers and educators suggesting these grapes have become part of the permanent Australian wine lexicon.

• Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show (AAVWS), founded 1999 in Mildura, reached 789 entries across 69 regions and 98 varieties at its 25th edition in 2025
• Fiano recognised as the leading alternative white variety success story in Australia at the 2025 AAVWS, with strong regional expressions from McLaren Vale and Clare Valley
• Orbis Wines Nero d'Avola 2024 won Best Red Wine and Best Italian Red at the 2025 AAVWS, validating the variety's standing in Australian wine culture
• Industry consensus is shifting: Fiano, Tempranillo, and Nero d'Avola are increasingly considered part of Australia's permanent wine landscape rather than niche curiosities