The Fossil: Spriggina was made South Australia’s fossil emblem in 2017. Spriggina is the oldest known fossil animal on earth with a distinct head and body and was the first animal with a bilaterally symmetrical body. It is named for local geologist Dr Reg Sprigg who discovered the fossil fauna known as the Ediacara biota in 1946. Spriggina has only been found in the state’s Ediacara Hills in the northern Flinders Ranges. It is believed Spriggina may have been an early arthropod which grew to 3cm-5cm in length.
Soil type: Sandy slopes overlaying friable cracking clays
Winemakers Notes: Picked at full ripeness, all fruit was fermented in small open fermenters and manually pumped over for eight days prior to pressing in a basket press. Malolactic fermentation and maturation was in 600 litre barrels.