THISTLEDOWN WINES

The Thistledown philosophy relies entirely on minimal intervention and a profound respect for the vineyard. Working closely with historic, old-vine sites, the team pushes for absolute clarity of flavour rather than heavy sugar extraction. By championing wild ferments, gentle handling, and a highly restrained use of oak, they produce wines that are wonderfully vibrant, structural, and perfectly suited to complement artisan produce.

The very name of the enterprise honours the Scottish thistle, a nod to the ancient Battle of Largs. This historic Scottish ingenuity, paired with exceptional Australian fruit, creates a highly tactile and engaging portfolio.

Though crafted in the Southern Hemisphere, these remarkable wines are available as an optional addition to our Scottish hampers. We selected them for their uncompromising quality, their refreshing contemporary style, and their genuine connection to the Scottish diaspora.

The label of this beautiful wine pays direct homage to Dr Alexander Kelly, an Edinburgh physician who established some of the first vineyards in McLaren Vale. This is a highly contemporary Shiraz, sourced from low-yielding fruit and handled with absolute care. The nose delivers vibrant dark red fruit, while the palate remains wonderfully fresh and crunchy, supported by a discreet, highly structural use of oak. It provides a robust, deeply rewarding anchor to our wild venison charcuterie.

Sourced from the cool, high-altitude vineyards of the Adelaide Hills, this crisp provision completely redefines modern Australian Chardonnay. By picking the fruit early to preserve natural acidity and strictly avoiding heavy oak, the team has created a lean, beautifully balanced wine. It delivers a striking white peach character and a clean, refreshing finish that pairs exceptionally well with our traditional cold-smoked Highland salmon.

Taking its name from the iconic, towering peak located just a short trip north of our studio here in Ullapool, this premium Chardonnay represents the absolute pinnacle of their Adelaide Hills fruit. It is a highly textured, deeply complex wine that balances a tight, mineral core with beautifully layered stone fruit and a subtle, savoury depth. It provides a magnificent, grounding anchor to any celebratory curation, offering a quiet moment to appreciate the enduring link between our local Highland landscape and the finest global viticulture.