Michael Corbett’s passion for the Rende Vineyard is as deep as the sands it’s rooted in. A relatively late discovery for him, the Blewitt Springs site has become not just a canvas for his mastery of Grenache, but the heart of his winemaking journey. In Michael’s words, “I walked in here, and I felt alive.” That visceral connection to the land is evident in every bottle he produces from Rende, a vineyard that channels both the beauty of McLaren Vale and Michael’s meticulous attention to detail.
"I walked in this vineyard in 2015, and on the back of my French experiences... I walked in here, and I felt alive..."
- Michael Corbett on Rende Vineyard
Michael first stumbled upon Rende Vineyard in 2015, drawn to its sandy soils and its gnarled, goblet-shaped bush vines, which reminded him of his time in the South of France. “The sand and Grenache just go hand in hand,” he says, referring to the unique way the vines grow deep into the earth, accessing nutrients and minerals that lend a taut, fresh energy to the wine.
Situated at the top end of Blewitt Springs, just 14 kilometres from the ocean, Rende Vineyard enjoys a cooler, sea-breeze-kissed climate compared to lower sites in McLaren Flat. This combination of sand, altitude, and oceanic influence gives his wines a brightness and finesse that sets them apart.
The distinctive sandy soils of Rende are key to its magic. Michael explains, “You know, obviously it's quite easy for roots to penetrate through the top surface... there are sand quarries close to here that go 30 metres deep.” This depth allows the vines to access different layers of soil, including red ironstone and clay loam, which build complexity into the wines. For Michael, this connection to the vineyard is about more than just terroir—it’s a long-term love affair. He leases and farms the vineyard organically, balancing a busy life between his family in the Barossa and his hands-on role at Rende.
"It's about the sand... the vines can access the nutrients and minerals, and yeah, I think it helps keep the wines really alive and fresh and more taut."
- Michael Corbett
His Grenache expertise, honed through years of working in the Pyrenees and South Australia, is at its pinnacle here. Michael’s winemaking style is meticulous yet unforced, letting the vineyard do much of the talking. He runs multiple micro-ferments every year, blending different parcels to express both the vivid fruit and the structure of the site. “It's about purity, intention, and length,” he says of his approach to Grenache, constantly refining the balance between elegance and power.
Vanguardist’s V Grenache is the flagship—a wine that balances delicacy with power, lightness with tannin. The Rende Vineyard Grenache, meanwhile, is a special expression, only crafted in exceptional years, like 2021. Michael likens it to the single-perfect-pick—when a single ferment stands out enough to be bottled on its own.
"I don’t go out to try and craft a Rende ever. I’ve done it two in ten years... when we have these barrels sitting in the middle, I always keep a couple or a few separate every year."
- Michael Corbett
Michael's newly released Botanic Wines mark an exciting evolution for the brand. The 2024 Vanguardist Rosé leads the pack with its classy, savoury, serious blend of Grenache and Syrah, offering blood orange, pink grapefruit, and a savoury mineral edge. The 2023 Oeno Grenache highlights the lighter, friskier side of the vineyard, with bright raspberry and cherry notes and a fine tannin structure that will age gracefully. Rounding out the collection is the 2023 Blewitt Grenache Syrah, a stunning 55/45 blend of Grenache & Syrah that is delicious drinking - the plump, juicy Shiraz perfectly complimenting the nervy Grenache. These wines are an exciting development for Michael and the brand as he's raised the bar of quality to the entry point into Vanguardist.
Michael’s commitment to sensitive winemaking is clear across the board, with all wines being organically-farmed and treated with the utmost care. He’s not concerned with colour or over-extraction; instead, he focuses on slow, gentle fermentation and skin contact, allowing the wines to “infuse” rather than extract. “We’re chasing lightness on its feet but with power,” he says, describing his goal of making Grenache that can hold its own with any great wine region globally.
The results speak for themselves. In Michael’s hands, Rende Vineyard has found its perfect custodian—someone who can coax the absolute best from this ancient land while respecting its unique qualities. As he puts it, “I feel lucky and blessed to be able to do it, and I don’t take it for granted.”
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