Good Intentions

Mount Gambier, South Australia

Winemaker Andrew Burchall is fighting the good fight down on South Australia’s Limestone Coast. Andrew was born in Mount Gambier, and moved back with wife Louise to begin Good Intentions in 2014. They have combined diverse knowledge of organic farming and permaculture with an urge to build their own business on the land, to extreme effect. In their own words:

We wanted to create a community where we could be proud to raise our daughter Frankie. Our dream is to inspire home grown eating, drinking and music that nourishes the land and reflects our personalities and to share it with the community.

Their vineyards are planted in the shadows of Australia’s youngest volcano. A combination of cool climate, prevailing winds and pure water sources make this a prime emerging region for both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Andrew has recently begun planting some new estate vineyards, and plans to trial Nerello Mascalese and other varieties that flourish in volcanic soils around the world in the near future.

Winemaking is hands off, the preference being to do the work in the vineyard and harvest healthy fruit before allowing fermentation to run its course. Fermentations are with wild yeast, and SO2 is used sparingly when necessary. The wines are not fined or filtered and bottled onsite. Andrew and Louise literally do everything themselves. Their wines are vibrant and pure fruited examples, perfectly illustrating the modern Australian drive toward highly drinkable and expressive wines that speak of both variety and region.