Why it matters
The producer
Before First Drop, Matt Gant worked vintages in the United States, Spain, Portugal, Italy, New Zealand and Australia, then became a winemaker at St Hallett in the Barossa Valley under Stuart Blackwell. He and John Retsas founded First Drop as friends in 2004. The winery is headquartered in Nuriootpa in the Barossa Valley.
First Drop works with a network of growers throughout the year to ensure appropriate care and consideration in vineyard management. Its wines are modern expressions of grape variety, site and season, made under a minimal intervention philosophy. The range includes Mother's Milk Barossa Shiraz, followed by the Fat of the Land series, The Cream and Cold Sweat.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Nuriootpa places First Drop in the Barossa Valley, while its fruit comes from several South Australian regions. The source regions combine rich soils, differing altitudes and ample sunlight, producing fruit with depth and intense flavour.
Real Time Chardonnay comes from the Adelaide Hills, with Gumeracha named as the vineyard source. The Barossa supplies Shiraz and other lead varieties, while the wider portfolio extends into Spanish, Portuguese and Italian grapes.
Wines to know
The range in view
The portfolio contains around 30 wines, extending from Barossa's lead varieties into Spanish, Portuguese and Italian grapes. Mother's Milk Barossa Shiraz is joined by the Fat of the Land series, The Cream and Cold Sweat, which the range presents as subsequent blends.
Real Time Chardonnay 2022 is a still white Adelaide Hills Chardonnay at 12.5% alcohol. It has apple, nectarine, peach and lemon drop flavours, with almond meal, cinnamon, powdery grip, and a spicy, dusty finish. The wine is presented as an evolving expression of Chardonnay's varietal character and the Gumeracha vineyard.