S.C. Pannell Cellar Door

The S.C. Pannell label was born in 2004, when Stephen and Fiona bravely established a new brand dedicated to their adopted region of McLaren Vale. Perhaps most directly influenced by Stephen’s experience as Chief Red Winemaker at BRL Hardy, the choice of McLaren Vale was founded in the confidence of a region with an already established reputation, but, more importantly, also one that had the potential for a ground-breaking future.

Stephen’s vision of what was possible was equally shaped by his childhood upbringing on Margaret River’s renowned Moss Wood, as well as later tenures at some of the leading family estates of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Barolo and Priorat.

It is here that S.C. Pannell diverts from most other pathfinders, for as well as celebrating established regional styles – like Grenache, Shiraz and Cabernet – the new company also encouraged a belief that a benign, Mediterranean climate and a complex mosaic of ancient geology could foster a palate of varieties with the potential to become future signatures – Agliancio, Fiano, Nero d’Avola, Tempranillo and Touriga Nacional, among others.

This view of McLaren Vale as a region projecting an eclectic and colourful expression of new wine style has led the brand beyond the coastal sands and foothills and into the surrounding Adelaide Hills, to further interrogate the boundaries of possibility and cooler climes. 

The result is an S.C. Pannell portfolio of diverse range, united in the common understanding that a progressive business has a responsibility to reflect the evolving reality of modern Australian life, culture and flavour.