Meet the Winemaker: Harry Scanlon | Scanlon Wines

Meet the Winemaker: Harry Scanlon | Scanlon Wines

Meet the Winemaker

Scanlon Wines – Boutique Wines from the Heart of the Adelaide Hills

Scanlon Wines is the kind of producer wine lovers chase: small-batch, vineyard-led, and built around the cool-climate purity the Adelaide Hills does so well. If you love whites with texture (not just zing) and Pinot Noir with perfume and precision, this is a winemaker to know.

Portrait photo of winemaker Harry Scanlon standing with his dad. Both are smiling in a relaxed, candid moment, showing the family roots behind Scanlon Wines.
Harry Scanlon (and his dad) — a proper family story behind the label.

The Story Behind Scanlon Wines

Scanlon Wines is driven by winemaker Harry Scanlon, and the best way to describe the brand is simple: it’s personal. This isn’t “wine as a product” — it’s wine as a craft, built from family roots, vineyard time, and a clear point of view on what Adelaide Hills fruit can become when it’s treated with patience.

Harry grew up around the family vineyard at Scanlon Estate in the Adelaide Hills. That early exposure matters — you can feel it in how the wines are put together. There’s a quiet confidence here: letting the vineyard speak first, then making decisions in the winery that protect perfume, energy and texture rather than chasing loud flavours.

A big part of the Scanlon DNA is an obsession with detail. It shows in the way the wines lean toward finesse over weight: bright aromatics, clean lines, and finishes that stay fresh rather than sweet. The goal isn’t to make the “biggest” wine in the room — it’s to make the wine you want a second glass of, then a third… and then you realise the bottle is gone.

In practical terms, Scanlon’s approach is all about small yields, thoughtful picking decisions, and a hands-on mindset at every stage — from fruit selection through to barrel work and bottle. It’s the kind of winemaking that rewards good vineyards and good seasons, but also respects the hard ones. Each vintage is treated as its own story, not a template.

That’s why Scanlon has become one of those Adelaide Hills names that people talk about like they’ve “found” it — because it still feels boutique, still feels real, and the wines keep delivering.

Winemaker Harry Scanlon working inside the winery, focused and hands-on during production, showing the craft behind small-batch Adelaide Hills wine.
Hands-on in the winery — small-batch winemaking done properly.

What Makes Scanlon Stand Out?

  • Adelaide Hills cool-climate edge — fragrance, natural acidity, and definition.
  • Small-batch mindset — the wines feel curated, not mass-produced.
  • Texture without heaviness — especially in the whites (the “Fumé” style is a perfect example).
  • Pinot Noir with precision — bright red fruit, spice, and a refined finish.
  • Quality-first decisions — crafted to taste great now, but built to hold together over time.
Wine Simple note: I’ve poured this Fumé Blanc for people who “don’t drink Sauvignon Blanc” — and watched them change their mind mid-glass. That’s the Scanlon effect: it’s not just fresh — it’s built.

Wines to Buy at Wine Simple

White

Scanlon Fumé Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc, but with an Adelaide Hills “upgrade”: brighter aromatics, more shape through the mid-palate, and a finish that feels clean and classy rather than simple.

Great for: seafood, hot chips, goat’s cheese, roast chook, and anyone who usually says “I don’t drink Sav Blanc”… until this.

Bottle image of Scanlon Fumé Blanc with the Scanlon label displayed clearly.

Red

Scanlon Estate Pinot Noir

Perfumed and structured, with bright red fruit, subtle spice and a silky finish — the kind of Pinot that feels elegant first, then quietly powerful as it opens.

Great for: roast duck, mushroom dishes, charcuterie, or a “just one glass” night that turns into two.

Bottle image of Scanlon Estate Pinot Noir with the Scanlon label displayed clearly.

Why the Adelaide Hills Suits Scanlon So Well

The Adelaide Hills is one of Australia’s best cool-climate regions — altitude and cooler ripening conditions help build wines with natural acidity, perfume, and detail. It’s why Pinot Noir thrives here, and why aromatic whites can feel bright without being sharp.

Browse all wines anytime at https://winesimple.com.au.


Scanlon Wines FAQs

Who is the winemaker behind Scanlon Wines?

Scanlon Wines is made by Adelaide Hills winemaker Harry Scanlon, with deep family roots in the region.

What is Fumé Blanc?

Fumé Blanc is a style of Sauvignon Blanc that often leans more textural and complex, sometimes influenced by time in oak and lees work.

What food pairs well with Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir?

Duck, mushrooms, roast chicken, salmon, and charcuterie are excellent matches for Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir.

Where can I buy Scanlon wines online?

You can buy Scanlon wines online at Wine Simple: Scanlon Fumé Blanc and Scanlon Estate Pinot Noir.


Keep Exploring

Want to keep browsing? Head back to the homepage or jump straight into collections.