Robert Strangways Wigley was an eccentric South Australian cricketer who established Wirra Wirra in 1894. He produced a highly prized Shiraz which was exported to England and the Empire until he passed away in 1925. The cellars fell into disuse after the 1936 vintage and remained inoperable until Greg and Roger Trott rebuilt the ironstone winery by hand in 1969. Tradition has it that the ¾ tonne Angelus bell which sits atop Wirra Wirra was rung thrice daily from the Jesuit Church at Norwood, calling the faithful to prayer.

McLaren Vale, as well as being home to some of the oldest Shiraz vines in the world, is blessed with soils and climes which are ideal. Vineyards contributing fruit to Angelus are up to sixty five years of age, typically low in vigor, producing modest yields of intensely flavoured berries. Parcels are picked in small batches from superior sites at Seaview and Blewitt Springs, Onkaparinga Hills and McLaren Flat. Grapes are treated to a cold soak, inoculation and cap management throughout the ferments, followed by a traditional basket press to oak for completion of malolactic. Each batch is matured fourteen months in a mix of seasoned and new French oak barriques, rack and returned, before the final assemblage.