Bondar wines began its life in 2012, after a small group of family and friends hand picked a couple of tonnes of Shiraz grapes for their first ever wine. It was a beautiful, calm, warm summer's evening, and when the sun went down the McLaren Vale sky lit up with one of the most spectacularly beautiful sunsets they had ever seen. Bondar's Violet Hour Shiraz was born out of the inspiration from this magical moment. They have since won multiple trophies at the McLaren Vale Wine Shows and have been named one of the Top 50 Young Guns of Wine.
In May of 2013, the dream of creating great wine became a reality following acquisition of the historical Rayner Vineyard in McLaren Vale. Set amongst two hills on the border of the Blewitt Springs and Beautiful View Seaview sub-regions just north of the township of McLaren Vale, Rayner vineyard is one of the better known blocks of the region. Vine plantings date back to the 1950s when the property was owned by the Rayner family, and are made up mostly of what the region does best, Shiraz and Grenache.
Straddling Twentyeight Road, the eastern side of the road is a huge sandhill, part of the Pirramimma sandstone geology that stretches right through the region. The Shiraz planted here gives lighter wines, with amazing fragrance and a more savoury impression.
The lighter, more fragrant style of Rayner Vineyard is precisely what Bondar are targeting, wines that fit perfectly with their philosophy. Bondar want to make wines that are brighter and more savoury, structured and intriguing. Different.
The Bondar passion for wine came after vintages around the world and Australia, vintages in the Northern Rhone at Domaine Allain Graillot. Senior winemaking at Nepenthe in the Adelaide Hills and a couple of years at Mitolo to learn about McLaren Vale vineyards, meant that finally Bondar could be masters of their own destiny. Wine is about food, friends and family and should reflect place and enhance experience. Wines should be delicious, but also to be interesting; that little bit different to stand apart from the norm.
