How Alexander describes Ministry of Clouds:
"Bernice and Julian produce wines made for the table. I find them singular — focused expressions of the terroir they're sourced from. These aren't flashy or big wines, yet they have incredible energy, brightness and purity. Working with exceptional fruit from McLaren Vale and the Clare Valley, they craft wines of remarkable quality — with a sense of place and a texture that pairs beautifully with food."
Owners
Bernice Ong & Julian Forwood
Founded
2012
Region
McLaren Vale
Appellations
McLaren Vale, Clare Valley
Wines Produced
Red: Grenache, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, LDR
White: Riesling, Chardonnay
Famous For
Ministry of Clouds Riesling
Ministry of Clouds Grenache
Ministry of Clouds
Wines by Alexander, a Quebec wine agency, is proud to present Ministry of Clouds
Ministry of Clouds is one of the most compelling names in modern South Australian wine. Founded in 2012 by Bernice Ong and Julian Forwood, the label was born of a shared desire to leave the security of the corporate wine world for the freedom of their own venture. Both had built careers with celebrated houses including Wirra Wirra, Yalumba and Moët Hennessy, immersed in the great wines of Burgundy, Barolo and the Rhône before setting out on their own.
The wines are made with gastronomy at their heart. Rather than chase power, Bernice and Julian craft mid-weight, food-driven wines built on purity, texture and restraint. McLaren Vale is the heartland, home to their estate vineyard, The Chase, where lean, rocky soils and old vines find their fullest expression. Their reach extends to Riesling from the Clare Valley and Chardonnay from the Adelaide Hills.
From the first release in 2013, the wines announced themselves — all six rating 94 to 97 points in James Halliday's Wine Companion, earning a place among his Top Ten New Wineries.
Today, Ministry of Clouds is a benchmark for a new wave of Australian wine: elegant, honest and deeply expressive of place.
