Born in 1969 and raised at the legendary Moss Wood in Margaret River, Stephen Pannell was destined for a life in wine. In 2004, he and his wife Fiona founded S.C. Pannell, driven by a passion for McLaren Vale and its ability to produce expressive, dry-grown Shiraz and Grenache with a strong sense of place. Widely regarded as one of Australia's most innovative winemakers, Steve's accolades include the Jimmy Watson Trophy, International Red Winemaker of the Year, and recognition by Decanter Magazine as one of the 50 Most Influential Contributors to the World of Wine.
At the heart of Steve's story is Koomilya Vineyard — an extraordinary vineyard in the centre of McLaren Vale that he pursued for more than 20 years before finally acquiring. Established in the early 1800s, this historic site now forms the foundation of his deeply personal Koomilya wines, capturing the character and heritage of one of Australia's great vineyard sites.
