S.C.Pannell

The Story So Far

Established in 2004, S.C. Pannell is a celebration of Stephen and Fiona Pannell's adopted home — McLaren Vale. Shaped by Stephen's years as Chief Red Winemaker at BRL Hardy, the Vale proved to be the place where the S.C. Pannell story truly began.

While honouring the region's established styles, Stephen's conviction that a benign Mediterranean climate and a complex mosaic of ancient geology could support a much wider palate of varieties has led to signature wines built around Grenache, Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional, Aglianico, Nero d'Avola and Fiano, among others. Wines that reflect both the region's character and the Australian way of life — made to share with food and the people you love.

"The truly wondrous thing about great wine is that it speaks of where it comes from."
— Stephen Pannell

Stephen Pannell — The Winemaker

Stephen's passion for creating an eclectic and colourful expression of wine has been shaped by a career that spans continents and generations. Tenures at leading family estates in Bordeaux, Burgundy, Barolo and Priorat opened his eyes to the power of place — and on returning home, he dared to challenge the conventions of McLaren Vale, heralding a new era for Mediterranean varieties in Australian wine.

The recognition that has followed speaks for itself. Most recently, Stephen was awarded a perfect 100 points by Robert Parker Wine Advocate — placing him among the most select group of winemakers in Australian history to receive that honour, and the first South Australian to do so for a red wine. He has also been named a finalist for Vigneron of the Year at The Real Review's Top Wineries of Australia 2026, one of the industry's most respected peer recognitions.

Those achievements sit alongside a remarkable career record: International Red Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge; Gourmet Traveller Winemaker of the Year 2015; two-time winner of the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show; the Max Schubert Trophy at the Adelaide Wine Show; and recognition as one of the 50 most influential contributors to the world of wine by Decanter Magazine.

Closer to home, Stephen has won the Bushing Trophy for best red wine of show in McLaren Vale four times — 2011, 2015, 2016 and 2018 — the first winemaker in the region's history to do so.

"It would be difficult to conjure a more complete all-round wine guy than Steve Pannell. He really understands the vineyard, the winery, the market, the zeitgeist and wine quality. His wines result from this, so little wonder at his success."
— Huon Hooke, The Real Review

"If there's one winemaker who can move and shake McLaren Vale into its next stage of glory it is Pannell. He has more runs on the board than Don Bradman when it comes to making great wine in this region — and he has the leadership, vision and energy to bring others around him along for the ride."
— Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com

"The future of the Pannells is limitless, the icon status of the label already established."
— James Halliday

"The founder of the contemporary grenache zeitgeist."
— Ned Goodwin, Halliday Wine Companion