Barossa Valley has a reputation for power, depth, and serious old-vine swagger. But every now and then, a winery comes along that keeps the Barossa soul… while letting a little more light in. Yelland & Papps (run by Susan and Michael Papps) is exactly that: modern Barossa Grenache and Shiraz/Syrah that leans into perfume, texture, detail, and drinkability — without losing the region’s natural intensity.
If you love red wines that feel alive (bright fruit, savoury edges, fine tannin, and that “one more glass” pull), Yelland & Papps is a name worth knowing — and a style that fits perfectly into the way Australians actually drink wine now.
How Yelland & Papps began (and why their story matters)
Yelland & Papps doesn’t feel like a brand created in a boardroom — it feels like a winery built from lived experience. Susan’s pathway into wine started on the retail side, where she soaked up knowledge about Australian wine from the ground level: what people love, what they chase, and what actually gets poured at the table. She even studied wine in New York through the Windows of the World Wine School — a detail that says a lot about her curiosity and commitment.
Michael’s story is classic Barossa in the best way. His family moved to the region when he was young, and he worked his way through the industry step by step — from picking grapes after school to lab work and assistant winemaking roles. That technical foundation matters, because it’s often what separates “minimal intervention” as a marketing line from minimal intervention as a disciplined, quality-first practice.
The label was born while Michael was making wine and building relationships across the Barossa. Then in 2010, Susan and Michael bought their Nuraip Road property and committed fully to their own wine path. That’s the turning point: not just making wine, but making wine with a clear point of view.
Their mindset in one sentence:
“We don’t want wine to taste the same each year. We want the vintage variation. The imperfections. The story.”
Where they’re based: Barossa Valley (South Australia)
Yelland & Papps calls the Barossa Valley home — one of Australia’s most famous wine regions, known globally for old vines, warm days, cool nights, and reds with natural concentration. But “Barossa” isn’t just one flavour. It’s a patchwork of subregions and soil types that can shape wines in totally different ways — from deeper, darker profiles to lifted, fragrant reds that feel almost Rhône-like in structure.
What Yelland & Papps does well is use Barossa’s strengths (old vines, intensity, depth) while aiming for restraint, clarity, and freshness. In other words: they’re not trying to make the biggest wine in the room — they’re trying to make the most compelling wine in the glass.
Their house style: Barossa with elegance, perfume, and shape
Yelland & Papps is often described as a “modern Barossa” producer — but that can mean a lot of things. Here, it’s about detail:
- Lifted aromatics (florals, spice, herbs, red fruits)
- Medium-weight structure rather than heavy, thick palates
- Fine tannins that feel chalky or silky instead of chunky
- Fresh acidity that makes the wine feel energetic and food-friendly
- Oak that supports rather than dominates
You’ll notice they often use the word “Syrah” for some of their Shiraz — that’s not just aesthetics. It’s a hint at what’s inside: more savoury, more perfumed, more “mid-weight and lingering” than stereotypical blockbuster Shiraz.
Vineyards and sourcing: old vines, great growers, and the right sites
One thing that stands out with Yelland & Papps is how much they value site. They’re not chasing “Barossa” as a single stamp — they’re chasing specific vineyards that deliver a specific feel.
A perfect example is their Old Vine Grenache sourced from Vine Vale, grown on deep sandy soils that are famous for producing Grenache with fragrance and finesse. The vineyard was planted in 1956, and they’ve worked with this block since 2013. Their approach is thoughtful: they’ve even harvested in two separate picks at times — one earlier for aromatic lift and vibrancy, and one later for structure and depth.
For Shiraz/Syrah, they also work with vineyards that let them express a more refined style. One example is fruit from the Stone Well area, where their Syrah aims for “speaks softly but lingers long” energy: perfume, spice, savoury length, and freshness.
Winemaking philosophy: minimal intervention (but never minimal effort)
Yelland & Papps sits in that sweet spot where tradition and modern thinking actually work together. They’re big on methods that build texture and complexity without making wines feel engineered. Their toolkit includes:
- Spontaneous (wild) fermentation to keep wines expressive and site-driven
- Whole bunch fermentation (in the right proportion) to lift aromatics and add structure
- Large-format oak so the barrel supports the wine rather than flavouring it
- Low intervention in the winery, letting vintage variation show up honestly
Even when they use new oak, it’s typically measured and framing — like a picture frame around a great photo. For example, their Old Vine Grenache uses only a small portion of new French oak to add subtle shape without drowning out the fruit.
Notable wines (and what they’re known for)
Yelland & Papps has a few different “moods” across their range, but the common thread is always purity + texture + place. Some of the names you’ll hear wine people talk about include:
- Old Vine Grenache — fragrant, red-fruited, fine-boned, and quietly cellar-worthy.
- Syrah/Shiraz from standout Barossa sites — savoury spice, dark cherry, floral edges, and long, structured finishes.
- Roussanne and other alternative whites — built for texture and interest, not just “easy white wine”.
- Rosé (often from varieties like Cinsault/Mourvèdre) — dry, serious, and food-friendly.
Awards, reviews, and Halliday recognition
Yelland & Papps is one of those producers that regularly pops up in conversations around “new wave Barossa” — and the reviews back it up. Their wines have attracted strong scores and commentary across Australian wine media, and they’re also recognised in the Halliday Wine Companion world.
To give you a feel for the level they’re playing at: their Single Vineyard Old Vine Grenache (from 1956 vines in Vine Vale) has received high-90s praise from respected reviewers, and their Syrah/Shiraz releases have also scored strongly — often with reviewers calling out the elegance and medium-weight structure that defines their style.
The key point isn’t just “points” — it’s consistency. Yelland & Papps has built a reputation for wines that deliver flavour, interest, and balance year after year, without chasing the same formula every vintage.
Wines to try (shop Wine Simple collections)
If Yelland & Papps sounds like your vibe, here are the best Wine Simple “paths” to explore — collection links only (so they’ll always stay current):
- Shop Grenache — for fragrant, silky, modern reds.
- Shop Shiraz — Barossa spice, structure, and savoury depth.
- Shop Red Wine — if you want to browse across styles and regions.
- Shop White Wine — for textured whites like Roussanne and more.
- Shop Rosé — dry, food-friendly rosé for Aussie summers.
- Shop Halliday-rated wines — if you love critic-recognised bottles.
- Shop Barossa Valley wines — the region, all in one place.
Food pairing suggestions (built for the table)
Because their style is fresh and detailed (not heavy and blunt), Yelland & Papps wines are genuinely easy to pair with food. Try these:
- Grenache: lamb skewers, chargrilled vegetables, roasted capsicum pasta, or a simple BBQ chook.
- Syrah/Shiraz: slow-cooked pork, peppered steak, mushroom risotto, or duck with a cherry glaze.
- Textured whites: roast chicken, creamy seafood pasta, grilled prawns, or baked pumpkin and feta.
- Dry rosé: hot chips (seriously), prawns, mezze plates, salads, and anything Mediterranean.
Buy Yelland & Papps online (Australia-wide) with Wine Simple
If you’re chasing modern Barossa that still feels authentic — wines with old-vine soul but a fresh, elegant edge — Yelland & Papps belongs on your shortlist.
Shop online at Wine Simple and explore our curated collections (reds, whites, Grenache, Shiraz, and more), with delivery available to Australian customers.
FAQs
Who are Yelland & Papps?
Yelland & Papps is a Barossa Valley winery run by Susan and Michael Papps, known for modern, minimal-intervention wines that highlight site, vintage variation, and the Barossa’s old-vine heritage.
What does “minimal intervention” actually mean in their wines?
It means using techniques that let vineyard character show through — like wild fermentation, careful oak use, and a light touch in the winery — without trying to “iron out” every natural variation that happens each vintage.
Are Yelland & Papps wines more “traditional Barossa” or “new wave”?
They sit firmly in the “new wave” space: still Barossa (depth, old vines, intensity), but with more lift, perfume, freshness, and medium-weight structure — especially in Grenache and Syrah-styled Shiraz.
What grapes are they best known for?
Grenache and Shiraz/Syrah are the big ones, but they’re also known for championing alternative varieties like Roussanne, plus dry, serious rosé styles that suit Australian summer drinking.
How should I serve Grenache and Shiraz from producers like this?
Try serving Grenache slightly cooler than room temp (even 15–17°C). For Shiraz/Syrah, a quick decant or a big swirl in the glass helps the aromatics open up, especially with younger vintages.
Where can I buy Yelland & Papps wines online in Australia?
You can shop curated Australian wine collections at Wine Simple, including Grenache, Shiraz, Barossa Valley wines, and Halliday-rated bottles — all in one place with easy browsing via collection pages.
