Eddie McDougall, who studied winemaking at Dookie College (University of Melbourne), has been working in wine for over two decades and forging ahead with various wine projects under the Flying Winemaker label. Experienced at sourcing and building markets, he recently embarked on a high-end venture concentrating on special parcels of single vineyard wines from classic wine regions. Having established Caillard Wine in 2007, I know how hard it is to build something from scratch and keep it going. Eddie’s ambitions, not so dissimilar to mine in the day, are more disciplined and focussed.
At present he is releasing just three wines, with a Tasmanian Riesling in the pipeline. Eddie describes himself as a négociant-éleveur wine producer, but works closely with vineyard owners and winemakers to achieve his goals. Within his small team is consultant winemaker Lilian Carter whose lightness of touch and track record are greatly admired. Both winemakers work closely through vintage to achieve optimum results. This forthcoming staggered release highlights the project’s highly fidelity winemaking. The 2026 releases comprising 2025 Margaret River Chardonnay, 2022 McLaren Vale Grenache and 2022 McLaren Vale Shiraz are classical in style and delicious to drink.
…classical in style and delicious to drink.
Based in Macau and well connected into Hong Kong and China, Eddie McDougall is already making great inroads into these markets as well as getting some genuine momentum in Australia. In an August 2025 interview he said of his previous release ‘This is a collection of fine wines which has taken me the best part of the last twenty years to finally have the courage to release. It’s been a delicate introduction to the market because I know how the fine world market operates – very much guarded by the old world, a small collection of families and growers.’ This second ‘staggered release’ promises to build on his early success.
While the EJ McDougall production is still modest, a solid foundation is being laid for future growth. This is a trailblazing brand that offers something relevant, imaginative and exciting for younger generations. EJ McDougall has every chance of becoming a leading Australian fine wine label in future years.
This is a collection of fine wines which has taken me the best part of the last twenty years to finally have the courage to release.
2025 E.J. McDougall Chardonnay, Margaret River – Western Australia
Pale colour. Lovely pure grapefruit, white peach, lemony aromas with hints of flint/ herb notes. Generous and minerally with ample grapefruit, bitter lemon flavours, a fine chalky/ al dente grip, underlying marzipan notes, some creamy complexity and fresh long cutting/ crunchy acidity. High tensile in structure, matched with very good fruit volume and definition. Should develop along classical lines. 46% new French oak in puncheon and barrique format. 13.8% alc 95+ Points
2024 E.J. McDougall Grenache, McLaren Vale – South Australia
Medium deep colour. Attractive strawberry pastille, red cherry, musky plum aromas with hints of Americano. Silky and expressive with strawberry, musky red plum fruits, looseknit chalky textures, very good mid-palate viscosity and well-integrated acidity. Aniseed notes pervade throughout giving lift and length. Supple and minerally with bangs of primary fruit. From 1939 and 1942 Blewitt Springs plantings. 14.5% alc 96 points
2024 E.J. McDougall Shiraz, McLaren Vale – South Australia
Pure blackberry pastille, praline, roasted walnut aromas with aniseed notes. Well concentrated and juicy with plentiful blackberry, black cherry, dark chocolate flavours, slinky chocolaty textures, very good mid-palate volume and underlying roasted walnut/ savoury notes. A claret firm finish with al dente/sappy, hint ferruginous notes. Vibrant, richly flavoured and vigorous. Drink now – 2036 93 points
