What the locals are loving: Sister’s Run & Dandelion Vineyards

If you’re curious about McLaren Vale winery Sister’s Run, their logo might give you a few clues. A steel-capped boot next to a stiletto, it’s the picture of what the female-led winery represents: hard-working women joining forces to make some of the best wine coming out of South Australia.

(One of which, Sister’s Run Cabernet Sauvignon, has a Gold and two Bronzes in its medal tally). Led by winemaker Elena Brooks, Sister’s Run takes its wine seriously — itself, less so — and is all about championing the women at the forefront of making damn good drops.

Elena is, though, a busy woman – she is also the Founder and Winemaker at Dandelion Vineyards. A member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (and currently working towards certification), Dandelion Vineyards is the home to award-winning wines. Among the favourites are Dandelion Vineyards Menagerie of the Barossa GSM, the perfect dinner companion, and their Wishing Clock Sauvignon Blanc, a go-to for any summer afternoon.

Ahead of International Women’s Day, we pick Elena Brooks’ brain about being a female winemaker, the advice she wouldn’t give her younger self, and the inspirational women she’d love to crack a bottle with.