Zonte’s Footstep – Independent Australian Wines from McLaren Vale

Crafted with curiosity since 2003, rooted in 19th-century vines and

driven by a spirit of exploration.

Zonte’s Footstep is a proudly independent Australian wine producer established in 2003. From our heritage vines in Langhorne Creek to hand-selected partners across McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, the Barossa, and beyond, we create wines with personality, provenance, and a dash of fun.

“We take our vineyards and our wine—just not ourselves—seriously.”

Our Story & Heritage

A Vineyard Planted in 1890

Origins: In 1890, the original vineyard in Langhorne Creek was planted with Zante currant (the original table grape). By the 1920s, these rows were replaced by Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, forging the backbone of our first releases.
Rediscovery: A group of wine enthusiasts acquired the property in 1999, replanting with Viognier, Sangiovese, and other experimental varieties. While unearthing new vines, they uncovered fossilized footprints of the Diprotodon—the largest known marsupial ever to roam Australia.

The Name: Zonte’s Footstep

Tribute to History: “Zonte’s” nods to “Zante,” the original currant grape, with a single-letter twist to comply with labelling rules.
A Fossilized Footprint: The Diprotodon prints inspired “Footstep,” symbolizing our journey from 19th-century beginnings to today’s boundary-pushing expressions.
Key Dates
1890: Original Zante vineyard planted in Langhorne Creek.
1920s: Replanted to Shiraz & Cabernet Sauvignon.
1999: Acquisition and replanting with experimental varieties.
15 August 2003: First official Zonte’s Footstep vintage released.

Vineyards & Sourcing

Our Grapes, Our Mates’ Grapes
We source fruit from:

Langhorne Creek (Heritage Shiraz & Cabernet)
McLaren Vale (Bold, sunbaked reds & expressive whites)
Adelaide Hills (Cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc & Chardonnay)
Barossa Valley (Rich Shiraz, Grenache & more)
Select Regions “Further Afar” for distinctive terroirs

'Z Force' Shiraz'

Overview
Zonte’s Footstep’s flagship red blend (Shiraz with Durif/Petite Sirah, often labeled “Z-Force”) has garnered consistent acclaim—double‐gold medals, trophies, and 90+ point scores from top critics. Below is a vintage‐by‐vintage summary of its standout wines and accolades.

Highlights

Consistent Double-Gold & Trophy Wins at China Wine & Spirits Awards for 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019.
Multiple Gold Medals from AWC Vienna, San Diego Wine Competition, Decanter, Winemaker Challenge, Sommelier/Sommelier Challenge (USA, UK, EU, China).
High Critic Scores:
- 2014: 96 points (Halliday); 2015: 94 (Halliday);
- 2016 & 2017: 95–96 (Halliday, Sam Kim);
- 2018: 96 (Sam Kim, Winestate);
- 2019: 96 (Sam Kim);
- 2020: 95 (Ray Jordan).
Notable Media Praise:
- Peter Muscet (95, 2012), Campbell Mattinson (“Hulking” 93, 2013), Sam Kim’s repeated 96+ scores (2016–19).
Signature Style Across Vintages: Deep, inky purple colour; concentrated dark-fruit profiles (blackberry, cherry, cassis), spice, mocha, licorice, with seamless tannins and a long finish—hallmarks of Z-Force’s McLaren Vale/Shiraz‐Durif expression.