Rusty Mutt Wines was founded by career Winemaker Scott Heidrich in 2009. Scott grew up in the Barossa Valley and had many close links to the wine industry during his formative years. Scott studied at the renowned Roseworthy Agricultural College and earned is Bachelor Degree in Wine Science in 1992. After a few positions in larger Barossa wineries, Scott moved to McLaren Vale in the mid 1990's to work for one of the regions biggest personalities. Scott was able to work with a range of high end vineyards both in and out of the region, and develop many close viticultural connections in McLaren Vale. In 2009, Scott felt the need to work with styles, varieties and blends that he felt were becoming more important from McLaren Vale, so the Rusty Mutt brand was created. Scott was born in the Year of the Golden (or metal) Dog, according to Chinese Astrology, and Australian-ised it to 'Rusty Mutt'. Since so many choices in Winemaking are influenced by the Winemaker's personality, he thought it was a great way to describe his wines. Currently, there are five wines under the Rusty Mutt brand. The 'Catnip' Viognier, the' Savvy Wren' Pinot Gris, the 'Conejo Joven' Tempranillo, the 'Rocky Ox' GSM and the 'Original' Shiraz all from the McLaren Vale wine region. Using his McLaren Vale viticultural connections, Scott has selected a number of vineyard sites from the various sub-regions of McLaren Vale most suited to the varieties and styles he wishes to produce. The Rusty Mutt white wine style is fresh and youthful. Stainless steel fermented using selected strains to enhance the varietal characters, and bottled young to capture them. The Rusty Mutt reds are fermented in 2 Tonne open fermenters using selected yeast strains, with daily hand plunging and pumping over. Pressing is performed either by basket press, or open basket membrane press, both of which are very gentle on the skins, so as not to extract harsh or bitter tannins. Oak handing is similarly restrained, utilising his connections to find the right second and third use French and American barrels to suit the various styles of wine. Maturation is anywhere from 9 months to 24 months depending on the wine. Bottling is performed to the highest international quality standards in a major McLaren Vale facility. The wine is packed into laydown 6 packs using lightweight bottles and fully recyclable cartons and dividers. Rusty Mutt Wines are distributed to most states of Australia, and are exported to the United Kingdom and China.