Jauma Wines

Nestled on Peramangk land in the misty Adelaide Hills, Jauma Wines is a family-run adventure led by winemaker James Erskine, a pioneer of Australia’s natural wine movement. Since launching Jauma in 2010, James has championed a bold philosophy: “zero-zero” winemaking—nothing added, nothing taken away—crafting wines that speak purely of their origins.

After a distinguished career in hospitality—including accolades like Gourmet Traveller Sommelier of the Year, exceptional performance in the Court of Master Sommeliers, and further academic training in agricultural and soil science—James turned his passion toward the vineyard and cellar. He transformed Jauma into a living canvas, where hand-harvested grapes and organic farming form the heart of their wines, creating vibrant, expressive bottles celebrated worldwide.

Jauma Farm, which James and his wife Sophie oversee, is a vibrant, multi-generational place teeming with life—700 cherry trees, orchards of apples, pears, apricots, and young vines—plus retreats, yoga, and their beloved annual JaumaFest cherry-picking festival.

Jauma sources fruit primarily from organic vineyards in McLaren Vale, lovingly tended by long-standing collaborators Fiona Wood and David Gartelman. Their winemaking embraces texture, individuality, and terroir: think carbonic maceration, skin contact, aging in clay eggs, steel, and old French barriques—each parcel crafted with intention and minimal intervention.

The result? Wines that are stable, bright, pure, and alive—“wild, expressive, South Australian wine,” as James puts it—with integrity, indexical character, and charm that resonates globally.