Ministry of Clouds Onkaparinga Rocks Shiraz 2021

Ministry of Clouds was established in 2012 by Bernice Ong and Julian Forwood, born out of their shared passion for wine and a desire to create a life immersed in its world. After years spent working with prestigious European wines and later with esteemed family-owned wineries in McLaren Vale, they developed a deep appreciation for the intricacies of viticulture and winemaking. Their journey fostered a love not just for wine itself but for the entire process—from walking the vineyards and understanding seasonal nuances, to working closely with growers and carefully guiding each vintage from vine to bottle.

Determined to chart their own path, Ong and Forwood created Ministry of Clouds as a way to pursue creative freedom and authenticity. The name reflects their belief in the delicate balance between control and unpredictability in winemaking—a humbling reminder that nature often has the final say. Ministry of Clouds is both a tribute to their meticulous craft and an embrace of the spontaneous beauty that makes wine so compelling.

From the First Australians through to our most recent migrants, our lives are enriched by their cultural capital. Our estate vineyard – The Chase – sits atop the Onkaparinga Gorge looking out over some of the oldest farms of McLaren Vale…

With the Seaview winery conceived in the 1850’s, and Kays Amery still in the founding family’s hands since 1890. They were drawn to the elevated sites, the cooling afternoon breezes, and the promise and potential for structured, long lived, quintessential McLaren Vale red wines. We thank all the founding families for the opportunity to continue in their legacy.

A lifted but deep expression of McLaren Vale shiraz, tending towards blue and back fruits, Garrigue herbs, picked necessarily early to retain freshness, and layered in shyly supporting French Oak. Powerful on the palate, this wine is an interplay between the waves of intense crunchy plumlike fruit, and the tensile strength of the mineral and tannin laden structure beneath.

Ideal serving temperature is 16 °C, please take the time to splash in a decanter for as long as you dare – and serve with a slow cooked middle eastern lamb shoulder over a bed of cous cous and watch the wine slowly unfold... Cool cellaring between 5 years to 15 years will be rewarded.