Cellar Door Fest Winter Edit 2026 is on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 July, bringing together 50 South Australian wineries and distilleries. While the focus is firmly local, a closer look reveals a handful of French connections, from winemakers with experience in Burgundy and the Rhône Valley to producers working with French grape varieties lesser seen in Australia.
WINEMAKERS WITH FRENCH EXPERIENCE
Several producers at this year’s festival have spent time working in France, particularly in Burgundy and the Rhône Valley—regions whose influence continues to shape South Australian wine.
Marie Clay completed cellar and vintage work at Maison Camille Giroud in Burgundy
Tim Smith, one of the winemakers., worked harvests for Chapoutier, Gabriel Meffre and Domaine du Mandeville in France’s Rhône valley. That experience has most strongly shaped where Tim’s wines are today.
French varietals include Viognier, Sparkling Viognier
Winemaker Reid Bosward worked in the South of France at 23 years of age, with a work car and a mandate to produce Chardonnay. In 1994, Southern France he was making white wine from Cabernet Sauvignon for an English supermarket chain.
French varietals include White Cabernet, Semillon
Owner and winemaker, Jason Barrette also works as a Winemaking consultant in France under the name Barrette Winemaking.
French varietals include Grenache Rosé, Grenache, Grenache Blanc de Noir
Gaston worked for Chateau Clarke at Bordeaux, one of the Médoc’s historic estates.
Bryn Richards spent long summer holidays in the south of France — with many pilgrimages to Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas in the Southern Rhône, and across to Priorat in Spain — sparked a love affair for the beauty and versatility of Grenache.
French varietals include Mourvèdre Grenache Shiraz; and a Grenache Gris.
They exhibits their wines at Wine Paris;
French varietals include Piquepoul, Roussanne, and Grenache
Founder Mark McGill undertook a European wine tour visiting leading houses in Burgundy and Bordeaux, which is described as sparking his wine passion.
French varietals: Shiraz Cabernet
Mark Hickin has completed vintages in Burgundy.
French varietals: Grenache; and Shiraz
His Pinot Gris was inspired by Alsace vineyards.
French varietals: Pinot Gris, Grenache, Merlot.
Winemaker Jason Schwarz worked in Bordeaux
French varietals: Burgundy. Grenache Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Grenache, Shiraz
FRENCH VARIETALS
They make their Angelique Premium Cuvée in a French style.
Grenache, Malbec, Shiraz
Roussanne; Moonrise Kingdom of McLaren Vale Shiraz, Grenache, Petite Sirah.
Roussanne; Shiraz Roussanne; Gamay
Grenache Rosé; Syrah
Syrah Grenache; Syrah
They have a Fumé Blanc; and a Syrah
They have a Shiraz Grenache blend.
They have a Blanc de Blanc.
They have a Rose of Syrah made with the vin gris method.
They have a Pinot Noir Rosé
They sell French Cognac.
Lesser common French varietals they propose are: Durif; Petit Verdot; Mourvèdre, Durif
—
So, as you can see, while the producers are South Australian based, there are French influences to be found throughout. What wines are you looking forward to tasting at Cellar Door Fest Winter Edit 2026?
KEY INFO FOR CELLAR DOOR FEST WINTER EDIT 2026
WHAT: Cellar Door Fest Winter Edit 2026
WHEN: Choose from three sessions:
- Friday 17 July 5-9pm
- Saturday 18 July 11am-4pm, or
- Saturday 18 July 5-9pm
WHERE: Adelaide Convention Centre, ADELAIDE
HOW: Purchase your tickets here
HOW MUCH: $42 plus booking fee for Friday and Saturday evening sessions, $47 + booking fee for first Saturday session
For more events with links to France and the Francophonie happening in Australia this month, check out our What’s on in July
