Stephen Pannell grew up in the wine industry. In 1967, his family founded Mosswood, the second winery and vineyard to emerge in the Margaret River district. Pannell’s Australian credentials include Seppelts Great Western, Wirra Wirra, Hardy’s Tintarra and BRL Hardy Wine Company where he was the Chief Red Winemaker from 1999 to 2003. Pannell’s ambition has also taken him abroad where he has gained experience in Burgundy at Domaine Comte Lafon and Domaine del la Pousse d’or, Bordeaux at Chateau Mouton, Southern France at Jacques Lurton and Italy at GD Vajra Barolo.
The time spent abroad has influenced Pannell’s view on winemaking, resulting in a conviction that Australia has the potential to produce pure and natural wines that are excellent without manipulation. Harvesting fully ripened fruit from the best vineyard sites eliminates the need for acidification and unnecessary handling in the winery. Pannell seeks to apply European methods to the tremendous raw materials available in Australia without sacrificing flavor and ripe tannins. The minimal use of new oak also highlights the vineyard and regional characteristics of McLaren Vale Shiraz.
