Protero

Back in 2004, Stephen Pannell’s family returned from Piedmont to find Nebbiolo growing in the northern Adelaide Hills just outside Gumeracha, on a vineyard planted by Rose and Frank Baldasso in 1999. Steve started working with the fruit in 2005. The dynamics of tannin, first and foremost, drive all of Stephen’s red-winemaking decisions, and good Nebbiolo hinges on understanding tannin. It is this vineyard that has finally lead to the creation of the Protero Nebbiolo and Protero Aromatico.

In late December 2019 Fiona and Steve signed a contract for the Baldasso’s vineyard. It was planted to all the wrong varieties bar one: five clones of Nebbiolo. A week later, it was on fire, and only through the courage of others was Protero spared. Surrounded by brave people, the Pannells knew they too had to be courageous. To that end they removed Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Viognier and planted varieties we like drinking and believe in for the region: Barbera, Dolcetto, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Riesling. All well suited to the landscape, the region and in particular this place, Protero.