Smallfry Wines: A Barossa Valley Gem with Roots in the Past and Eyes on the Future

Tucked away in South Australia’s celebrated Barossa Valley, Smallfry Wines is a love story between the land, the vine, and the people who tend them. Viticulturists Suzi Hilder and Wayne Ahrens aren’t just making wine—they’re custodians of history, guardians of old vines, and champions of a biodynamic, minimal-intervention philosophy that lets the vineyard speak for itself.

Two Vineyards, One Vision

Smallfry’s story unfolds across two remarkable vineyards.

• Eden Valley – Established by Suzi and Wayne in 1994, this site produces fruit with elegance, freshness, and finesse.

• Vine Vale (Barossa Valley) – Known locally as Schlieb’s Garden, this historic site has been farmed for more than 52 vintages and is home to some of Australia’s viticultural treasures: original plantings from the 1850s of Grenache, Shiraz, Semillon, Cinsault, Cabernet, and Mataro.

Walking these vineyards is like stepping through a living museum—one where history isn’t kept behind glass but bottled, corked, and poured into your glass.

Biodynamics and Minimal Intervention

Smallfry is proudly Australian Certified Organic, but they go beyond the certification. Their vineyards are farmed biodynamically, with an emphasis on creating a thriving ecosystem where plants, animals, and microorganisms all play a part. This healthy environment translates directly into the vibrancy and character of their fruit.

In the winery, the approach is resolutely hands-off. Wild yeast fermentations, old oak barrels, and minimal adjustments ensure that each wine is a clear expression of its vineyard origins. “The fruit knows what it’s doing,” Wayne likes to say—and judging by the results, he’s right.

Diversity in the Vineyard

Smallfry’s vine portfolio reads like a passport of the wine world:
Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Semillon, Cinsault, Bonvedro, Trousseau, Roussanne, Marsanne, Pedro Ximénez, Tempranillo, Graciano, and Tinta Amarela.

Old-vine preservation is a cornerstone of their work, with around 40% of their vineyards over a century old. Varieties once considered unfashionable—like Semillon and Pedro Ximénez—have been lovingly rehabilitated into crowd-pleasers, most famously in their skin-contact white, Tangerine Dream.