Between celebrated slam dunks and fadeaways, basketball legend Michael Jordan once said: “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” Much has been made of this iconic vineyard’s evolution since Matt Holmes arrived in 2015. As head winemaker, Holmes has inevitably become the focal point of Bannockburn’s continued rise and rise. Yet, he’ll be the first to tell you that his influence is merely the tip of the iceberg.Between the estate’s Jedi soil man, Lucas Grigsby, who’s been at the estate for almost four decades, and his off-sider Doug Clarke, Bannockburn’s viticulturists boast over 50 years of experience working the same plot of land. “These guys give it their all in the vineyard, and it’s so beneficial to have such an amazing blend of experience,” Matt told us. Making up the Fab Four, two young musketeers, Leo Coleman and Tom Deahl, have joined the Bannockburn family full-time, allowing Grigsby and Clarke time to work on Bannockburn’s soil and vine health while improving the site's overall biodiversity. “Viticulture is having your eyes open, observing, considering and making decisions,” says Holmes. “I see a better balance in the vineyard. It’s as good a team here as I can recall.”The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. For Holmes, this well-oiled team’s understanding of the site played an outsized role in the success of its 2023 releases. Conditions were cool and wet, resulting in uneven ripening and dramatic crop losses of up to 60%. Without the experience and attention to detail of Bannockburn’s full-time crew, it’s debatable whether even Holmes would have been able to craft such exceptional wines from this complex season. With the focus squarely on quality, Holmes continued his practice of declassifying the estate’s iconic close-planted blocks when it makes sense. This year, the 2023 Chardonnay benefits from the Grigsby parcel, while the Pinot Noir welcomes the harvest from De La Terre. Both wines deftly combine Bannockburn’s classic signature of power and finesse with that inherent site-driven savoury-mineral quality that makes these wines unique. With such limited quantities this year, we encourage buyers to act first and ask questions later!