Hollick Estates was established in 1983 by Ian and Wendy Hollick, transforming grazing land into vineyards that became a cornerstone of Coonawarra’s modern wine story. Known for innovation within a region famed for Cabernet Sauvignon, Hollick pushed boundaries with Sparkling Merlot, a style rarely attempted at the time. The 1996 vintage came from Merlot vines rooted in Coonawarra’s iconic terra rossa soils over limestone, in a season that delivered depth of flavour and naturally high acidity. After traditional fermentation, the base wine underwent secondary fermentation in bottle to create a fine mousse, followed by extended lees ageing to build texture and complexity. The result was a wine combining dark plum, blackberry and violet aromatics with layers of chocolate, spice and savoury depth, lifted by sparkling freshness and supple tannins. This release stands as both a hallmark of Hollick’s willingness to experiment and a rare, ageworthy example of Australian sparkling red from one of the country’s most respected cool-climate regions.