Otherness Wines is a small Barossa-based wine project and hospitality venue in Angaston that combines a collaborative wine label with a story-driven wine bar, cellar door, restaurant, delicatessen and bottle shop. It focuses on limited-release wines made with leading South Australian winemakers and serves them alongside an eclectic list of local and international bottles in a cosy, village-like setting.

The Otherness Story and Collaborative Vision

Otherness was founded by Barossa wine identity Grant Dickson as a collaborative platform to make the kind of wines he and his friends most wanted to drink, free from large-brand constraints. Instead of building a conventional estate winery, Dickson set out to create a micro-producer model that brings together some of South Australia’s most expressive winemakers under a single label.

The concept is simple: each Otherness wine is a “passion project” crafted in partnership with a specific winemaker, with that collaborator’s name and influence clearly acknowledged. This approach gives the range a strong narrative thread, with each bottling telling the story of both place and the winemaker behind it, rather than just the brand.

Barossa Valley Setting and Regional Influence

Otherness is located in Angaston, often described as one of the prettiest historic towns in the Barossa Valley, with stone buildings, leafy streets and a village atmosphere that complements the venue’s intimate scale. From this base, the project draws on fruit from Barossa and surrounding regions such as Eden Valley and Polish Hill River, choosing sites that best suit each style.

The Barossa’s long history with classic varieties like Shiraz, Riesling and Mediterranean reds influences the core of the range, but Otherness is deliberately exploratory, blending traditional Barossa power with freshness, texture and savoury detail. Because it works with multiple winemakers and regions, the label can showcase a broader South Australian story while still being anchored in Barossa hospitality culture.

Winemakers, Collaborations and Philosophy

Grant Dickson curates the Otherness program, inviting a revolving cast of renowned winemakers—such as Ian Hongell (Torbreck) and John Hughes (Rieslingfreak)—to craft small-batch wines under the label. Each collaborator brings their own techniques, sites and stylistic preferences, meaning the wines vary widely in character but share an emphasis on precision, drinkability and regional expression.

The philosophy centres on narrative-driven wines: labels are often named with mythological or story-rich references (like the Norns-inspired Rieslings “Urth”, “Skuld” and “Verthandi”) and presented with detailed backstories in the venue and wine lists. This storytelling approach turns tastings into conversations about why a wine was made, who made it, and how it reflects its origin, rather than just listing grape varieties and vintages.

Wine Range and Notable Releases

Otherness focuses on premium, small-batch bottlings spanning Riesling, Mediterranean reds and thoughtful blends sourced from Polish Hill River, Eden Valley, Barossa and beyond. The 2023 “Urth” Riesling, for example, uses fruit from slate-strewn Polish Hill River vineyards and combines stainless-steel ferments with wild-fermented barrel components to build texture and complexity.

The “Skuld” and “Verthandi” Rieslings from Eden Valley have attracted strong critical praise, with reviews noting their intense varietal character and beautifully balanced palates where sweetness and acidity are finely poised. On the red side, wines like the “Harmonica” blend of Aglianico and Montepulciano from the Barossa explore darker, savoury, Italianate expressions that still remain bright and energetic.

Cellar Door, Wine Bar and Dining Experience

Otherness operates as a combined wine bar, cellar door, restaurant, deli and bottle shop in the heart of Angaston, open several days a week for lunch, dinner, snacks and drinks. Guests can drop in for a guided tasting of the Otherness label, stay for a multi-course meal, or simply enjoy a glass of wine and small plates at the bar or high tables.

The venue’s wine program goes well beyond its own label, featuring an extensive list of local and international bottles by the glass and the bottle, plus cocktails, beers and zero-alcohol options. A delicatessen and takeaway bottle shop allow visitors to bring home both Otherness wines and a curated selection from other producers, turning the space into a neighbourhood hub for serious but welcoming wine exploration.