Welcoming Hither & Yon to the Saint portfolio.

It's with great excitement we welcome one of McLaren Vale's most exciting and dynamic wine brands to the Saint Wine portfolio this week!

What started as a simple bottle project between brothers Richard and Malcolm Leask in 2011, Hither & Yon has emerged as one of the gems of McLaren Vale and a leader in innovative and futurist wine growing in Australia.

Richard Leask (L) and Malcolm Leask

​Championing the importance of soil health and water capture in both farming and vineyard, they place vital emphasis on new wave varieties matched to the Fleurieu Peninsula’s sunny maritime climate, without forsaking the modern classics that make McLaren Vale the dynamic force it is today.

As a result, the Hither & Yon range is as alternative and fun as it is compelling and diverse.

In terms of sustainability, the team employs a complete regenerative agriculture system to encourage thriving biodiversity both above and below the ground, bringing their unique biota and site geology into their wines. Additionally, the Leask family's estate vineyards and brand are certified sustainable by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, following their mantra of lightest footprint, from grass to glass.

We couldn't be prouder to be working with such a dynamic and progressive producer – with a suite of delicious yet thought-provoking wines at its core. Welcome, Hither & Yon! 

The Hither & Yon range is now available nationally through Saint Wine.

Hither & Yon Vermentino 2024 93 Points, Halliday Wine Companion

Sourced from the Oakley Road vineyard, on westerly sloping foothills. Reddish clay soils with siltstone and ironstone, on North Maslin sand.

“Picked both early in the season and the morning, this was crushed to tank for a cool ferment on skins for two weeks; pressed to old oak to finish alcoholic fermentation and go through mlf; three months' élevage. Cypress and myrtle, wild grasses, tea tree oil, chamomile, Indian tonic, martini olive, lime oil, Vietnamese mint, preserved lemon, coriander seed and grapefruit pith. It’s a briny, maritime wine – like a botanical-infused aperitif – light of weight with a feathery grip and abundant freshness. This is the second release, and the fundamentals are the same, but this steps up in poise and balance. Very good.” – Marcus Ellis

Hither & Yon Greco 2024 92 Points, Shanteh Wale, SA Wine Guide Sourced from the Home Vineyard on Sand Road, McLaren Vale, on alluvial sand, silty clay and gravel. Greco was first planted in 2019 on its own roots.

“How exciting it is to see a Greco grown on the alluvial sandy site of Hither & Yon’s home vineyard in the Vale. On fine lees for 30 days, transferred to puncheons and 10% through malolactic fermentation. A garden of yellow stone fruits, chamomile, beeswax and honeysuckle. A sweep of kumquat citrus acidity followed by ground cumin, dukkah and white pepper. A touch of brûlée bitters. Such a wine of intrigue and interest, and a great fit for the white wine spectrum of the Vale.” – Shanteh Wale

Hither & Yon Sand Road Grenache 2023 93 Points, Halliday Wine Companion

The Leask family's youngest planting of grenache, planted on own roots in 2009.

“Destemmed and open fermented at coolish temperatures for two weeks; raised in older French puncheons. Old vines are the buzz with grenache, and for good reason, but lovingly farmed young vines can also have striking results. And the Leask brothers do nothing if not farm well. Savouriness and tannin may not be the first thing to expect from younger vines, but here they are. Dried cranberry, wild raspberry, Earl Grey tea, dusty earth, baking spices. It hits mid-weight, with no sweet spot – a good thing. Rather, the fruit is wrapped up in a food-apt tensioning of chewy grip and clean acidity. Distinctive. Good.” – Marcus Ellis

Hither & Yon Shiraz 2022 94 Points, The Vintage Journal 93 Points, Halliday Wine Companion

Sourced from six separate blocks in the Eastern foothills of the region to create a modern yet regional McLaren Vale shiraz.All parcels vinified separately, with cool, whole berry, wild yeast fermentation before gentle pressing to tank then matured in French oak puncheons for 12 months. 

“This is compelling value from an old-school hero variety. It's the right balance of juicy and savoury, with black cherries, blackberry, spiced plum, white pepper, leather, anise, rocky iron notes and hardy herbs, the palate silky, underwritten by finely tuned tannins, guiding but not interrupting the flow. Very nice indeed.” – Marcus Ellis

Hither & Yon Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 92 Points, James Suckling

Sourced from the Leask family's Sand Road vineyard (90%) with the remainder from the Hillenvale vineyard in McLaren Vale. 

Destemmed and crushed to an open top fermenter, cool fermentation for two weeks with gentle pump overs twice a day. Seven months‘ maturation in 3-4 year French oak puncheons prior to blending, filtering and bottling. 

“A bright and vivid array of blueberries, redcurrants and blackcurrants with elements of bracken, leaves and hints of chocolate, too. There’s a plush, supple feel to the palate. Medium body. Red plums and cherries throughout.” – James Suckling

Hither & Yon Nero 2024 New Release

100% nero d'Avola grown on the Leask family Home vineyard, Sand Road, McLaren Vale. First planted in 2010. 

Cold soaked for two days before fermentation in open stainless steel, on skins for two weeks. Lightly pressed to tank prior to seven months‘ maturation in 4-5 year old French oak puncheons.

Dark cherry aromas intertwine with fresh woody herbs and earth. The palate is laced with dark forest berries, bergamot, jubes, crushed hazelnuts, chai and licorice. Supple skin tannins carry the beautiful core of fruit, finishing with succulence and length.

Hither & Yon Malbec 2022

Malbec (0.6ha) was established on the Leask family Home vineyard in 2014.

Gently destemmed into open stainless steel, whole berry, wild yeast fermentation with 10% whole bunches. Pressed directly to tank following fermentation prior to 10 months‘ maturation in 5-6 year old French oak hogsheads. 

Roasted beetroot, iron and violet aromas with saltbush and nutmeg undertones. The palate is medium-bodied and energetic, with a distinct ferrous quality and deliciously chewy tannins.

Hither & Yon Aglianico 2023 92 Points, Halliday Wine Companion

100% aglianico grown on the Leask family Home vineyard, Sand Road, McLaren Vale. First planted in 2008. 

“Just over a tonne went to red production in '23, with the rest picked for rosé; 10% whole bunch, with 27 days on skins in total. Sour black cherry, dark plum, dried blackberry, sun-dried herbs, unlit cigar, spice cabinet, iron and fennel seed. This has the dark broodiness one expects, but it equally has the varietally true spike of acidity to firm things up, with the equally expected tannic line tensioning further. This needs a good six months to settle, then it should have plenty of good years ahead.” – Marcus Ellis

Hither & Yon Leask Grenache 2020 97 Points, David Sly, Decanter

Sourced from 1940s-planted vines on Hunt Road, McLaren Vale, on own rootstock. Alluvial fan of sand, clay and gravel. 

“Much is suggested on a vivacious nose, but beneath soft and cuddly red-fruited flavours, lean and powerful dark fruit muscle flexes in the mid-palate. A whole cohesive package.

Very elegant and sinewy for a wine with such a deliberate drive at its core. One to contemplate. 10% whole bunch, matured 13 months in three-year-old 400-litre French oak puncheons.” – David Sly

Hither & Yon Leask Shiraz 2021 95 Points, Aaron Brasher, The Real Review

100% shiraz from 1990-established vines on Oakley Road, McLaren Vale. Hard clay sand and silica soils. 

Destemmed and crushed into open top concrete, hand plunged two to three times daily for 16 days. Nine months maturation in second use 500L French oak puncheons prior to racking, screen filtering and bottling.

“Inky, dark and opaque in the glass, an impressive colour. Deep, dark and brooding aromas of plum, blackberry, bramble, cedary oak, dried herbs and anise. Powerful, plush and concentrated in flavour. Plum, mulberry, blackberry and sweet oak flavours are all at play in a very decadent way. The tannins are firm and shapely and work well to tame the opulent fruit.” – Aaron Brasher