In the latest of our Interviews with wine makers we talk with Kevin O’Brien from Kangarilla Road in Mclaren Vale South Australia. Kangarilla Road has previously been described by Robert Parker as his “favourite vineyard” in the Mclaren Vale region. The wines have consistently scored well with the critics and is currently rated 5 stars by James Halliday. Lets see what Kevin had to say when we put our questions to him.
1. Can you tell us why you believe that your wine region is such a fantastic place to produce wine ?
The Key is McLaren Vale’s proximity to the sea (Gulf St Vincent) together with its diverse and ancient geology makes it a unique place to grow Mediterranean varieties and wine styles.
2. What are the key qualities that you are trying to reproduce in your wines ?
The resultant wines of Kangarilla Road are a wonderful expression of the particular grape variety displaying an abundance of complex aromas and flavours yet elegant at the same time.
3. What would be your desert island wine from your region/country ?
Expecting conditions to be hot and dry I’d go for a dry, crisp citrus/waxy/zesty Clare Valley Riesling.
4. What would be your desert island wine not from your region/country ?
Domaine Bonneau Du Martray Corton-Charlemagne, I don’t care how hot it is!
5. What is your favourite wine region in the wine world ?
In a word – Burgundy ! Does it all for me.
6. Can you name some producers who inspire you ? or who you keep an eye on ? Either in terms of innovation, marketing or production ?
Oh there are many but some key ones for me would be Bonneau Du Martray, Eves Cuilerion, Yves Cuilleron, Antinori, Amano (Puglia), Steve Pannell.
7. What are your thoughts on the ever present question – Cork or Screwcap ?
Every cork is different; every screw cap identical – this inconsistency in cork creates major issues from wine taint to variable rates of oxidation. If somebody tried to sell us cork today as a brand new technology for closing a bottle of wine we’d split our sides laughing. We spend too much time in the vineyard, the winery and subsequently aging our wines for a little piece of softwood that we have no control over quality to undo everything.
8. If you could make wine anywhere else in the world – where would that be and why ?
Burgundy, it’s the ultimate challenge viticulturally and in wine making. The result, when good, is stunning!
9. Are there any grape varieties that you would like to experiment that for either geographic or commercial reasons you haven’t done yet ?
There a couple – would like to see how some less famous Italian and Spanish varietals such as Greco Di Tufo, Vermentino, Mencia, Sagrantino.
10. Wine Critics ? Do you make wines that you know will get high scores or wines that you believe in ?
Scores are a pain in the neck – however, we’ve never been unhappy with a good one.
We would like to thank Kevin and Emily for their time and fantastic answers to our questions. For further information on Kangarilla Road follow them on twitter, facebook, or check out their website. We will also be posting full tasting videos on our website of the wines in coming weeks. The wines have also featured on a number of occasions on WLTV so check out these videos. Gary Vaynerchuk said in his November 2010 Wine Club video on the Kangarilla Road Shiraz ” kinda use this as a house wine, 90 pts spectator, 91 points James Halliday, really one of the clear champion values in Wine Library and at this price point you can’t beat it [$15 wine at Wine Library]. Big Fruit, Big Body, Great Wine. I enjoy it A LOT”. That says it all really 
PS – The beautiful dogs in pictures are Mo [Lab] and Bille [black-coated dog]. Beauties mate !
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