Organic Hill Founders Preservative Free GSM 2025: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Dark Berry & Spice

A beautifully expressive McLaren Vale blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre, combining juicy raspberry, blackberry and ripe plum with fragrant spice, dark chocolate and savoury depth. Awarded an impressive 96 points by Vino Masters, Organic Hill Founders Preservative Free GSM 2025 is wonderfully generous yet refreshingly balanced. Medium-bodied and supple, with lively acidity, fine tannins and a long, textured finish, this is a particularly appealing expression of the classic Australian GSM blend. Certified organic, vegan and made without added preservatives.

Highlights

• 96 Points – Vino Masters, July 2026
• Certified organic, vegan suitable and no added preservatives
• Classic Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre blend
• Raspberry, blackberry, ripe plum, warm spice and dark chocolate
• Medium-bodied with juicy fruit, supple texture and fine tannins
• Lively acidity and a long, savoury finish
• Enjoy now or cellar carefully until 2035
• 13.7% ABV

Tasting Notes

Deep ruby-crimson in the glass, this vibrant GSM opens with inviting aromas of fresh raspberry, blackberry and ripe plum. Dried herbs, warm spice, dark chocolate and earthy undertones add complexity, while a delicate floral lift brings freshness and fragrance.

The palate is juicy, supple and beautifully rounded. Grenache leads with generous red fruit and floral charm, Shiraz contributes darker berry richness, and Mourvèdre brings savoury depth and structure. Fine tannins and lively acidity keep everything wonderfully balanced, carrying the fruit through to a long, textured finish with lingering spice and savoury notes.

Medium-bodied rather than heavy, this is a GSM with impressive depth, freshness and an irresistible combination of fruit and savoury complexity.

Winemaking

Organic Hill's Founders Release is crafted from premium McLaren Vale fruit grown using certified organic viticulture and biodynamic practices. The traditional Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre blend brings together three complementary varieties, each contributing to the wine's distinctive character.

Grenache provides juicy red fruit and fragrant lift, Shiraz adds darker berry richness and spice, while Mourvèdre contributes savoury complexity and supportive tannins. Produced without added sulphur dioxide preservatives and suitable for vegans, the finished wine balances generous fruit expression with freshness, structure and impressive length.

Vineyard & Vintage

McLaren Vale is one of Australia's most celebrated regions for Grenache, Shiraz and Mediterranean-inspired red blends. Its warm climate, diverse soils and cooling coastal influences provide excellent conditions for producing richly flavoured wines with natural freshness and balance.

The 2025 Organic Hill Founders GSM captures that regional character beautifully. Ripe raspberries, blackberry and plum meet fragrant spice, dried herbs and earthy complexity, supported by lively acidity and fine tannins. The organically and biodynamically managed vineyards reflect Organic Hill's commitment to sustainable viticulture and wines that express their regional origins.

Why We Love It

A 96-point GSM with certified organic credentials, no added preservatives and beautifully balanced flavours? There is plenty to appreciate here.

What makes this wine especially appealing is its combination of generous McLaren Vale fruit and genuine freshness. The raspberry and blackberry flavours are deliciously inviting, while dried herbs, spice and dark chocolate bring a more intriguing savoury dimension. Fine tannins keep the finish smooth, and lively acidity stops the wine becoming too rich or heavy.

It's a lovely example of how beautifully a Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre blend can come together, delivering richness, fragrance and complexity without losing its easy-drinking charm.

Food Pairing

This GSM's combination of ripe red fruit, savoury spice and fine tannins makes it wonderfully versatile with food. The juicy palate complements slow-cooked meats, while its lively acidity and herbal notes work beautifully with Mediterranean vegetables, mushrooms and tomato-based dishes.

Try matching this wine with →

• Slow-roasted lamb shoulder with rosemary and garlic — Find a Recipe
• Chargrilled eggplant with tomato, herbs and olive oil — Find a Recipe
• Mushroom and lentil ragù with pappardelle — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

A long Sunday lunch, a table full of delicious food and friends who appreciate a really good red. Just as lovely for a quiet dinner when you're in the mood for something a little more interesting than your usual Shiraz.

Cellaring

Delicious now for its vibrant raspberry and blackberry fruit, fragrant spice and supple texture. With fine tannins, balanced acidity and impressive flavour concentration, this GSM also has the potential to develop further savoury complexity with careful cellaring until 2035. Store in a cool, dark environment at a consistent temperature, particularly important for a wine made without added preservatives.

Producer

Organic Hill is a McLaren Vale producer founded by Leon Hill, whose passion for organic living and sustainable agriculture helped establish the winery's distinctive approach to winemaking. Since 2005, Organic Hill has focused on producing wines made from certified organically grown grapes, with a strong commitment to avoiding unnecessary additives and added preservatives.

The premium Founders Release celebrates Leon Hill's organic, biodynamic and sustainable winemaking journey. Sourced from McLaren Vale, these wines combine certified organic viticulture with recognised biodynamic practices, emphasising healthy vineyard environments and authentic regional character. Organic Hill's vineyard and cellar door are located at 36 Twentyeight Road, McLaren Vale. The winery continues to champion preservative-free, vegan-friendly wines that place the quality and natural expression of the grapes at the centre of the winemaking process.

Related Wines To Try →

If you love the juicy fruit and savoury complexity of this GSM, explore another expression of the classic blend alongside two favourites from Organic Hill's Founders collection.

• Juicy raspberry fruit, spice and bright acidity — Organic Hill Founders Preservative Free Grenache
• Vibrant cherry, blueberry and savoury spice from the biodynamic Barossa Valley — Kalleske Clarry's GSM
• Generous dark berries, pepper and savoury spice — Organic Hill Founders Preservative Free Shiraz

FAQ

What does Organic Hill Founders Preservative Free GSM 2025 taste like?

This wine combines juicy raspberry, blackberry and ripe plum with dried herbs, warm spice, dark chocolate and savoury earthy notes. The palate is medium-bodied, supple and rounded, with fine tannins, lively acidity and a long, textured finish. Its 96-point Vino Masters rating reflects the quality and balance of this expressive McLaren Vale blend.

Is this GSM dry, sweet or full-bodied?

This is a dry, medium-bodied red wine with generous ripe fruit flavours rather than sweetness. Fine, supple tannins provide gentle structure, while lively acidity keeps the palate fresh and balanced. It's lighter and more fragrant than many full-bodied McLaren Vale Shiraz wines, without sacrificing depth or richness.

What grape varieties are used in Organic Hill Founders GSM?

GSM stands for Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre, three varieties traditionally blended in southern Rhône-style red wines. Grenache contributes raspberry fruit and fragrance, Shiraz provides dark berry richness and spice, and Mourvèdre brings savoury character and structure. Together they create a layered, balanced and food-friendly wine.

What does the 96-point Vino Masters rating mean?

Organic Hill Founders Release Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2025 received 96 out of 100 points from Vino Masters in July 2026. The review praised its vibrant red and dark berry fruit, savoury complexity, supple texture and lively acidity. It is an excellent recognition for this premium McLaren Vale GSM.

Does Organic Hill Founders GSM contain added preservatives or sulphites?

This wine is made with No Added Preservative, meaning no sulphur dioxide preservatives are added during winemaking. Small amounts of sulphites may still develop naturally during fermentation, as they do in other wines. Preservative-free therefore refers to the absence of added preservatives, rather than a guarantee of zero sulphites.

Is Organic Hill Founders GSM certified organic, biodynamic and vegan?

The wine is certified organic and vegan suitable, and comes from vineyards farmed using organic and biodynamic practices. Organic Hill's Founders Release is produced with a focus on sustainable viticulture and minimal unnecessary additions. These principles are central to the producer's approach to premium McLaren Vale wines.

What temperature should I serve this GSM, and does it need decanting?

Serve at approximately 16–18°C in a medium-to-large red wine glass to appreciate its fragrant raspberry, blackberry and spice aromas. Decanting for 20–30 minutes can help the wine open up, although it is equally enjoyable straight from the bottle. Avoid serving too warm, as a slightly cooler temperature helps preserve its lovely freshness.

What food goes best with this McLaren Vale GSM?

Slow-roasted lamb, grilled meats, Mediterranean vegetables and mushroom-based dishes are particularly good matches. The wine's juicy fruit complements herbs and roasted flavours, while its fine tannins and lively acidity balance richer dishes. Try it with a mushroom and lentil ragù or chargrilled eggplant for a delicious vegetarian option.

Can Organic Hill Founders Preservative Free GSM 2025 be cellared?

Yes, this wine can be enjoyed now for its bright fruit and fragrance or carefully cellared until 2035. Over time, its primary fruit characters should soften as more savoury and earthy complexity develops. Keep it in a cool, dark location with a stable temperature and avoid exposing the bottle to unnecessary heat.

How long will this preservative-free red last once opened?

For optimum freshness, enjoy within one to two days of opening. Reseal the bottle and store it in the refrigerator to slow oxidation, allowing it to return to a suitable red wine serving temperature before drinking. Its vibrant fruit is at its best when freshly opened.

Who will love Organic Hill Founders Preservative Free GSM?

This is a lovely choice for anyone who enjoys juicy, medium-bodied reds with fragrant fruit, savoury spice and fine tannins. If you enjoy McLaren Vale Grenache or Barossa GSM blends such as Kalleske Clarry's GSM, this offers another beautifully balanced expression of the style. It's particularly appealing for wine lovers seeking premium organic, vegan and no-added-preservative wines without compromising on flavour.

(SKU: OH_FGSM_CV)