Project Wines

Penley Estate’s Project Wines are where curiosity takes the lead.

A small-batch, ever-evolving series, these releases step outside convention to explore what wine can become when tradition loosens its grip.

At the centre is winemaker Kate Goodman, whose approach balances precision with instinct. “Project Wines give us the freedom to ask what if,” she says. “They’re not about chasing a style—they’re about discovering one.”

Each release is deliberately distinct. Project E reimagines Cabernet Sauvignon through maturation in concrete egg, preserving purity of fruit and texture without oak influence. Alongside it, the Project Grenache draws from hand-picked fruit grown on 120+ year-old vines in McLaren Flat—an expression of history and vitality, where old vine intensity meets a lighter, more lifted winemaking approach.

Then there is Solera—a bold exploration of time itself. Built from multiple vintages of premium Cabernet, layered and reworked across releases, it challenges the notion of a single vintage wine. “Solera is about patience and perspective,” Kate explains. “You’re not just making a wine—you’re building something that evolves beyond one season.”

Across the range, minimal intervention, extended maceration, and natural ferment are not trends, but tools. “Coonawarra is known for structure and polish,” Kate says. “With Project Wines, we lean into texture, energy, and detail—letting the vineyard speak without too much interference.”

The result is a collection that feels both grounded and progressive—wines shaped by place, but not confined by it.

As Kate puts it: “This is where we experiment. Sometimes quietly, sometimes boldly—but always with purpose.”