A year in review.

Well, we've officially celebrated our first year since launching Ledson Vineyards into the world.

Looking back, it's hard to believe just how much can happen in twelve months. It's been a year of steep learning curves, exciting milestones, unexpected challenges and plenty of moments that have reminded us why we started this journey in the first place…along with a few that have made us question it all.

As I found myself reflecting on everything that's happened, I felt incredibly grateful: for everyone who has supported us, the wonderful people we've met along the way, and the lessons that have shaped us as both a business and a family. Every success has been worth celebrating, and every setback has taught us something valuable… or at the very least, built a little resilience.

I thought it would be nice to make this an annual tradition: a chance to look back on the year's biggest moments, celebrate the wins, and be honest about the things that didn't quite go to plan. After all, building a wine brand isn't just about the highlight reel, it's about the whole journey.

So, here’s a look back at the year that was.

The End of One Chapter, and the Beginning of Another

In late June last year, we sat down with a bottle of our 2023 Shiraz and watched the very vineyard it came from go up in flames.

It was a surreal moment. There was sadness, of course, but also a sense of optimism. The decision to remove a 25-year-old Shiraz block planted and worked on by our family for nearly three decades wasn't made lightly. Like many growers across Australia, we've had to adapt to the changing realities of the wine industry. With an oversupply of Shiraz, we made the difficult decision to diversify our vineyard and plant varieties we believe have an exciting future in McLaren Vale.

As the fire worked its way through the cut off vines, we couldn't help but notice something a little eerie. Looking at the label on the bottle in our hands, it almost felt as though it had been foreshadowing this moment all along… or maybe that's just us. We'll let you decide.

Thankfully, this isn't where the story ends. The established rootstock has since been grafted over and is now home to Nero d'Avola and Mourvèdre, two varieties we're incredibly excited about. We can't wait to see what they become, so watch this space.

A New Look (and a Few Design Decisions We’re Still Debating)

After receiving some feedback on our original labels, we spent a long time contemplating a redesign. We loved the story behind our first label, but felt it was time to move away from the wrap-around design and take things in a slightly more traditional direction, while still giving a nod to where we started.

The new labels feel like a step in the right direction, although, in the spirit of being honest, there are still a few things I’d like to refine for the next vintage. I suppose that’s the beauty and sometimes the frustration of building a brand as you go. You learn what works, what doesn’t, and what you might have done differently if you’d known then what you know now.

If you look closely, each label includes a design or illustration that tells part of the story behind the wine. The only catch is that you may need to hold the bottle in just the right light, turn it upside down and squint a little to actually see it.

In hindsight, it may not have been the most practical embellishment or necessarily the best use of our label budget but we wanted to try something a little different. For now, I’m choosing to describe it as sophisticated and mysterious rather than slightly difficult to see.

We also took a leap and decided to bottle almost all of our wines under cork. Well, except for the Fiano because I didn’t quite hustle hard enough to get the corks organised in time.

But despite the extra planning involved, I love the intention behind a cork. There’s something romantic about the ritual of opening a bottle of wine, pulling the cork and sharing that small moment before the wine is poured. It feels like it brings back a little of the ceremony and anticipation that can sometimes get lost.

We hope you love it too. But we’re also genuinely open to feedback.

Is cork a welcome return to a little more romance and occasion? Or is it just incredibly annoying when you find yourself with a bottle, no corkscrew, and have to stare at it longingly while quietly cursing us under your breath for making it so damn difficult to have a wine on a Friday night?

We honestly don’t know, so let us know.

Making Our Commitment Official

This year, we became certified members of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia.

The process involved taking a closer look at the way we farm, reviewing our current practices and making sure we’re doing everything we can to care for our vineyard and the land around it in a sustainable and responsible way. There was plenty of research, a few practical changes around the property and, of course, the very glamorous task of putting together a rather large binder of paperwork.

After completing the process and passing our audit, we’re incredibly proud to now be certified through Sustainable Winegrowing Australia for both our vineyard and wine business.

Sustainability is something we want to continue building on, rather than simply treating as a box to tick. We’re always learning, adapting and looking for ways to improve, and this certification feels like an important step in recognising the work already being done while helping guide where we go next.

A Pretty Good Start

For our very first release, we were incredibly excited and admittedly a little nervous to put our Fiano and Shiraz out into the world. We’ve always believed in the quality of the fruit we grow, but there’s something very different about putting your own name on the bottle and waiting to see what everyone else thinks.

Thankfully, the wines received some wonderful reviews straight out of the gate. Our 2024 Fiano was awarded 93 points by Marcus Ellis for the Halliday Wine Companion and 92 points by Shanteh Wale, earning a place in the 2026 SA Wine Guide.

For a debut release, that recognition was incredibly reassuring. It was a lovely confirmation that the fruit we’ve always seen as exceptional is being recognised and appreciated by others too.

But as exciting as the scores and reviews have been, the messages from people who have enjoyed the wines and the customers who have come back to order again have meant even more to us. Knowing that someone has opened a bottle, shared it with friends or family, enjoyed the experience and then chosen to return is something we’ll never take for granted.

The points are wonderful, but seeing people genuinely connect with the wines is what means the most.

Anyway, I think that’s enough reflecting for one blog post, although, now that I’ve started writing, I’m realising there’s probably still plenty more to share. So perhaps this is only Part One.

If you’ve made it this far, thank you. Whether you’ve supported us by buying a bottle, sharing our story, sending a message, following along or simply taking the time to read this, we’re incredibly grateful to have you here.

We’ve also got a few things currently in the works that we’re very excited to share soon. There’s plenty happening behind the scenes, and we can’t wait to bring you along for what comes next.

Until then, thank you for being part of our first year. We’re only just getting started.