Brash Higgins

American Brad Hickey arrived in Australia to work vintage '07 in McLaren Vale, where he met his now partner Nicole Thorpe. Together they established Brash Higgins in '10. Brad has a varied background, including 10 years at some of the best New York restaurants, then a further 10 years of baking, brewing and travelling to the best-known wine regions of the world. Nicole’s 7ha Omensetter Vineyard looks over the Willunga Escarpment and was planted to shiraz and cabernet sauvignon in '97. Drought prompted them to graft their first 0.5ha of shiraz to nero d’Avola in '09; they have since grown plantings to 3ha. Both the estate vineyard and the winery are certified organic. -JAMES HALLIDAY