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Description
Duncan and Peter Lloyd of Coriole fame are making waves in McLaren Vale with their side project Dune.
Centred on a beautiful, organically farmed Blewitt Springs vineyard, they craft an eclectic array of wines in both classic McLaren Vale styles, as well as from emerging varieties finding a new home in the region.
Their wines are deliciously pure, thought-provoking, and represent truly unbeatable value for money.
- 2023 Dune Blewitt Springs Shiraz
- 2023 Dune The Empty Quarter GSM
- 2024 Dune Tirari
- 2023 Dune Pyla
- 2024 Dune Cactus Canyon Grenache
- 2023 Dune Ain Salah Cinsault
2023 Dune Blewitt Springs Shiraz
The 2023 Dune Blewitt Springs Shiraz is a cracking example of what makes this McLaren Vale sub-region so special.
Crafted by Duncan and Peter Lloyd from their organic vineyard, this Shiraz leans into the sandy soils of Blewitt Springs, bringing a softer, medium-bodied style with fine tannins and plenty of character.
It’s all about balance here—dark fruits, a touch of spice, a savoury edge, and that hallmark chalky texture from the sands. The Lloyd brothers keep the winemaking simple, letting the vineyard do the heavy lifting, and the result is a Shiraz that’s ripe, vibrant, and ridiculously drinkable.
Whether you’re sharing it over dinner or enjoying a glass on its own, this is McLaren Vale Shiraz with a difference—elegant, layered, and ready to go now. Perfect for those who love their reds approachable but packed with interest.
93 points
"There’s so much to like about these Dune wines. Stylish (visually as well) and well-priced. Lots of perfume and exotic spice, some black olive and dried herbs, fresh blackberry and cherry. It’s medium-bodied, supple in fine-grained tannin, has a sort of glassy acidity, quite meaty, with something of a fresh black berry tang, and a long gently grainy finish. Lovely wine. Understated, but complex."
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)
2023 Dune The Empty Quarter GSM
The 2023 Empty Quarter from the Lloyd brothers’ Dune Wines is a fresh spin on the classic GSM blend, with a splash of Touriga Nacional for extra character. From their Blewitt Springs vineyard, this is McLaren Vale done their way—organic farming, low-fuss winemaking, and a willingness to mix things up.
Medium-bodied, fragrant, and packed with flavour, it’s got those juicy blue and purple fruits, a savoury edge of sage and spice, and fine, dusty tannins that pull it all together. There’s plenty of personality here, but it’s still the kind of wine you’ll happily crack open any night of the week.
Duncan and Peter Lloyd—of Coriole lineage—are proving they’ve got a knack for walking the line between tradition and modern energy. The Empty Quarter is a seriously tasty red with just enough polish and plenty of charm. If you’re after a GSM that’s a bit different, this one’s got you sorted.
94 points
"Such a pleasing wine to drink. Blue and purple fruit, coal dust and ozone, sage and thyme, some dried flowers, pastrami and aniseed. It’s medium-bodied, has a distinctly ‘mineral’ feel to it, with fine dusty and peppery tannin, a quiet juicy blueberry succulence, and it’s also quite savoury, bresaola and Spanish black olive, I reckon, with a gently sticky and tactile finish of excellent length. Fresh. Spicy. Yum."
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)
2024 Dune Tirari
Dune continues to offer up some of the best bang for your buck in McLaren Vale, and here again, the Lloyd brothers have created a medium-bodied red that’s juicy, characterful, and seriously easy to love.
The Tirari is a unique blend of Negroamaro, Touriga, and Mataro, with just a dash of Grenache (5%). The result is a wine that feels perfectly balanced between juicy fruit and savoury depth. Sourced from their organic Blewitt Springs vineyard, this blend speaks to the Vale’s future—varieties that thrive in the warmth while delivering freshness and elegance.
It smells of wild berries, dried herbs, and a hint of spice. On the palate, it’s plump and supple, with bright red fruit, a touch of earthiness, and fine, chewy tannins that lead to a savoury, moreish finish. It’s the kind of wine that begs for food—think woodfired pizza or chargrilled meats—but it’s just as good on its own for a casual midweek pour.
Dune is all about crafting wines that are fun, approachable, and seriously high-quality, and the 2024 Tirari is no exception. A wine with personality, versatility, and a glimpse into McLaren Vale’s bright future.
2023 Dune Pyla
A new age McLaren Vale red wine here from the notable Lloyd family of Coriole fame. The brothers Duncan and Peter have forged a new project from their Blewitt Springs vineyard, and their whole range proves to be all killer no filler.
Italian varieties have become one of the great stories of McLaren Vale, with Coriole doing plenty to champion these sun-loving grapes. Here, Nero d'Avola takes centre stage, surrounded by Negroamaro & Montepulciano as well as Rhone classics Carignan and Mourvedre.
It's savoury, spicy and full of lush McLaren Vale dark fruit. Not a foot wrong so far from this exciting rising McLaren Vale project.
2024 Dune Cactus Canyon Grenache
The latest single-varietal wine from this energetic and evolving project that in a short period has helped the Lloyd brothers burst out of the shadow of their family estate Coriole.
2021 was the first time they released the Cactus Canyon Grenache, and the subsequent releases have been brilliant follow-ups. It's a deliberately lighter style, picked early and with minimal oak influence.
It's a spicy, floral little number that really bursts out of the glass with gorgeously exotic Grenache aromas and a fresh and lively palate.
Give it a light chill when the sun's out and you're in for a treat!
2023 Dune Ain Salah Cinsault
Made in only minuscule quantities, this single-varietal Cinsault from Dune is a wine to jump on quickly before it’s all gone.
Cinsault is a fascinating variety and one proving to be well-suited to the sunshine of the Vale. Easy to grow, light-bodied and full of bright red fruits - it's a name we're bound to see a lot more of.
This is a jubey, spicy, herbal, wildly delicious little red. Low alcohol and low tannin make it the perfect lunchtime option too, and it loves 20 minutes in the fridge!
Gulp gulp gulp!
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