2025 Claymore “Sunshine of Your Love” – Pear, White Peach & Rose Gold Shimmer from the Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills

When two of South Australia’s finest wine regions come together, something special is created. Claymore Wines from the Clare Valley—known for its precise Rieslings and the artisanal rigor that underpins its great wines—combines equal parts Clare Valley (50%) and Adelaide Hills (50%) in its “Sunshine of Your Love” Pinot Gris 2025. Both regions produced exceptionally intense, ripe fruit in the hot, dry 2025 vintage: the Clare Valley contributes richness and fruit-driven warmth, while the Adelaide Hills bring lively freshness and a pronounced mineral structure. The wine bears the hallmarks of both—and forges something entirely its own.

In the cellar, both batches were deliberately fermented separately to allow their respective qualities to fully develop. It wasn’t until the blending stage that the Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills wines were combined—a step that requires precision and intuition and creates precisely the balance that sets this Pinot Gris apart: fruit-forward and fresh at the same time, textured and lively. Claymore’s deep roots in the Riesling philosophy—balance, finesse, expression—are evident here as well.

What makes the Claymore “Sunshine of Your Love” Pinot Gris so special?

This Pinot Gris is a true portrait of its regions: 50% Clare Valley for fruit-driven warmth and body, 50% Adelaide Hills for freshness, minerality, and vibrancy. The separate fermentation of both lots is the key—it preserves the identity of each region before the blend combines the best of both worlds. The result is a complex, well-balanced wine that has been awarded 92 points (Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot) and 93 points / 5 stars (Sam Kim, Wine Orbit) by two renowned wine critics. Claymore’s Riesling heritage shines through: no wine leaves the cellar without finesse, precision, and a long, clean finish.

And how does the Claymore “Sunshine of Your Love” Pinot Gris 2025 taste?

In the glass, it displays a delicate rose gold hue—typical of Pinot Gris, whose coppery-gray grape skins lend the juice a hint of color and character. The nose is fresh and inviting: ripe pear and juicy white peach dominate the bouquet, which is bright and invigorating. On the palate, the strengths of both regions unfold: The crisp acidity of the Adelaide Hills carries the wine, while the Clare Valley fruit—pear, golden apple—fills the mid-palate and lends body. Subtle notes of almond flour, tarragon, and sage give the wine a delicate herbal spice. The minerality flows rhythmically across the palate, and the finish is long, expressive, and clean.