Metala

The wheel has turned full circle at Metala. It began its journey back in 1882 when William Formby purchased Metala Estate; vines were first planted in 1891. In 1962, Metala Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon won the inaugural Jimmy Watson Trophy. In ’66, Wolf Blass made the first vintage of his Yellow Label, based on shiraz and malbec from Langhorne Creek. As each vintage passed, volume soared, as did Grey Label (the first vintage ’67, 100% Langhorne Creek cabernet sauvignon and shiraz). I'm not suggesting Metala was the largest supplier of grapes to Blass: clearly, it wasn't. But it became part of a huge cauldron of wine through the '70s and '80s as Australia moved to one of the world's 5 largest exporters (by value). Metala was a brand that had been swallowed by Saltram, itself thrown away as an autumn leaf. In ’81, 5th-generation Guy Adams began serious attempts to unify the brand name, the 225ha of vines and the surrounding farmland. In ’22, a long struggle saw TWE finally agree to terms for its divestment. In the same year, the Brothers in Arms brand, also owned by the Adams family, became part of Metala. -JAMES HALLIDAY