An Australian winery known for its traditional wine styles is branching out into more easy-drinking alternative varieties in a bid to attract younger drinkers.

O’Leary Walker Wines, situated in the Clare Valley, has launched the first wine in its Seasonal Release project – a 2019 Pinotage.

The variety produces a medium-bodied red resulting from a hybrid of Pinot Noir and Cinsault developed in the 1920s. It has become South Africa’s signature red wine but is believed to be one of the only wines of its style currently produced in South Australia.

David O’Leary and Nick Walker started the winery in 2000 and have weathered the ups and downs of the Australian wine industry for two decades, while forging a reputation for quality traditional wine styles from Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills.

Walker and O’Leary already had about 40 years of winemaking experience between them when they started their partnership in 2000, making them one of the most experienced duos in the industry.

Now the next generation of winemakers is stepping up to complement the traditional ways of the winery’s founders, which has focused on staple Australian varieties such as Riesling, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Jack Walker – Nick’s son – and Luke Broadbent have worked in the business for more than five years and are now expanding the range to create some fresh flavours to appeal to younger wine drinkers.

The emerging winemakers have been put in charge of the Seasonal Release project, which kicks off with the launch of a Pinotage.

Varieties being considered for future releases include Nero, Grenache and Grüner Veltliner.

All of the varieties are grown in the Clare Valley.

“Part of the reason for the seasonal releases is so we can cater a little bit better to seasonal drinking conditions, so they’ll be released every three months and the wine will be chosen to suit the time of year it is released,” O’Leary said.

“The Pinotage is coming out as we’re emerging out of Shiraz weather and those big bold wines you enjoy during winter, whereas this is something more suited to the spring and we’re looking at whites and a Nero next to give our consumers something different to try in addition to our flagship wines.

“Things change as well and people are looking for more lighter style reds and juicier, easy-drinking so we’re trying to develop and broaden our winemaking horizons.”

Jack Walker said the Seasonal Release project was born of a desire to create small-batch wines to meet seasonal drinking conditions.

“We want to showcase emerging new varietals, regional selections, single-vineyard wines and distinct winemaking techniques so that we can give our customers something new to get excited about,” the fourth-generation winemaker said.

The Pinotage retails for $28 a bottle and only 150 cases have been produced. It is available online, at the Adelaide Hills and Clare Valley cellar doors and at select Austrian retailers.