Based out of the renowned Rayner vineyard in McLaren Vale, Bondar wines have made a big impression on the Australian wine scene. Established by husband and wife duo Andre Bondar and Selina Kelly in 2012, their commitment to crafting exceptional wines has been widely lauded, including being named James Halliday's 'Best New Winery' back in 2017. Andre Bondar and Selina Kelly are on a roll. For 10 years, they have worked the sandy soils of their Rayner Vineyard, patiently coaxing this impressive site back to its full potential, effort that is now paying high dividends.
Rarely does such a new winery make such a fast and international splash. Bondar Wines came to life in 2013 when husband and wife duo Andre Bondar and Selina Kelly purchased the historic Rayner Vineyard at the southern tip of Blewitt Springs in McLaren Vale. In this warm region, as famous for its huge fruit bombs (we’re looking at you, Mollydooker) as for its legions of natty rebels doing the polar opposite, Andre brings to bear his deep appreciation for mid-weight wines of profound balance, wines that are fragrant and bright and complexly structured. Bondar wines exude self-possessed confidence, joyfully straddling the Goldilocks zone of weight and acidity too often obliterated by the pendulum swing of mercurial tastes.
“Bondar is certainly a name worth becoming familiar with.” Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
“Marquee McLaren Vale vineyard now in the hands of some really good people, really good winemakers. It’s a very exciting proposition. The resulting wines, so far, short as the tenure has been, have been great.” Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
“There must be a bit of magic behind Bondar. All of the wines have an ethereal quality”- Jane Faulkner, James Halliday Wine Companion 2018
James Halliday’s Best New Winery in his 2017 Australian Wine Companion
Andre Bondar named in the Top 50 “Young Guns of Wine” in Australia 2018 and 2020
Rayner Vineyard named in the Top 50 Vineyards in Australia 2021 (Young Gun of Wine)
Tasting the Bondar Wines Violet Hour Shiraz 2021
The 2021 Bondar Violet Hour Shiraz is crafted from hand-picked fruit from 65+ year old fruit planted on the Rayner Vineyard in McLaren Vale. Beautifully fragrant on the nose, the palate is silky and soft, while still delivering intensely flavored dark red fruit flavors. Another beautiful rendition of McLaren Vale Shiraz that is a relative bargain at this price.This wine has been highly recognised by wine critics and have been awarded 97 Points by James Halliday, “tapestry of silk and velvet, a little more than medium bodied. Bargain bonanza” and 94 points by Gary Walsh, The Wine Front “beef jerky, with dense silty tannin, and a gently toasty finish of fine length. Good stuff. Beautifully made”
"This is the violet hour, the hour of hush and wonder, when the affections grow again and valor is reborn, when the shadows deepen magically along the edge of the forest and we believe that, if we watch carefully, at any moment we may see the unicorn."
