Two mates. Two families. One wild, slow-burning idea.

“Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” – C.S. Lewis

This story is about two adventurous souls – two people for whom growth is sacred, discomfort is an ally, and life is less about knowing where you’re going, and more about showing up fully when you get there.

Every so often, a wine story comes along that feels like it was meant to be – not in a sentimental way, but in a boots-on-ground, vines-in-blood kind of way.

Adventurous Souls is the reunion of Josh Pfeiffer and Nick Justice, two old friends who met studying wine at the University of Adelaide in 2008. One from the Barossa. One from the Mornington Peninsula. Two very different paths that, after 17 years, have converged again – this time with purpose, experience, and families in tow.

The pedigree behind the pour

Josh Pfeiffer isn’t just another name on a label. He’s been making wine for 22 years and was hired as Assistant Winemaker at Two Hands straight out of uni – an appointment that’s almost unheard of. After three years, he was tapped by Henschke – one of Australia’s most iconic producers – where he worked alongside Steven and Prue Henschke and was soon promoted to Winemaker. Five years there shaped everything: his precision, his respect for land, and his deep belief in the power of organic and biodynamic farming to elevate not just the vineyard, but the wine itself.

Today, Josh works hand-in-glove with a trusted circle of Barossa growers – most of them childhood friends – who farm some of the region’s most prized old vine material, including blocks dating back over 130 years. Everything is small-batch, fermented in one-tonne fermenters, and bottled without fining agents. The wines are vegan-friendly, expressive, and full of soul – no shortcuts, no gloss.

The spirit of the brand 

Nick Justice, brings his own flavour to the project – part marketer, part storyteller, part adventurer. Together, he and Josh built Adventurous Souls not just to make great wine, but to bottle something bigger: the shared rhythm of families exploring life off the beaten track, where the best moments aren’t planned, and the best wines are the ones that bring people together.

This isn’t wine chasing trends. Its wine made for people who care about where it’s from, who made it, and why.

Their line-up includes:

• 2025 Riesling – Josh & Nicks take: From a high-altitude Eden Valley vineyard planted in the 1940s. Classic lime, wet slate, dry and built to age. Just 104 dozen made. Our take: Pairs well with seafood, reflection, and planning trips you may or may not actually take.
• 2024 Grenache Rosé – Josh & Nicks take: Pale, dry, and crafted from 90–100-year-old vines. A crisp, refined style with real backbone. 132 dozen. Our take: Best enjoyed somewhere with sun, friends, and no phone reception.
• 2025 Grenache Nouveau – Josh & Nicks take: Coming October. Light, chillable, aromatic, and herbal-spiced with a lifted red berry core. Our take: Goes down easy – unlike your mate’s tent setup or that last “quick” hike that turned into a vertical scramble.
• 2024 Grenache – Josh & Nicks take: Bursting with raspberry, cherry, and spice. Beautifully textured with silky tannins and drive. Our take: Goes with open fires, open minds, and questionable road trip playlists.
• 2023 Shiraz – Josh & Nicks take: Plush and aromatic with Barossa signatures: dark cherry, blackberry, dark chocolate, and a twist of spice. Our take: Made for long conversations, bold moves, and steaks you swear you could’ve cooked better but is also bold, grounded, and built to weather a storm – kind of like the bloke who still chops his own wood and won’t tell you he’s cold.

At Love the Pen, we back people. And when one of our own – like Nick – sets out on a new path with this much integrity, talent, and taste, we’re behind them. Adventurous Souls may be rooted in Barossa soils, but its spirit – curious, grounded, and quietly brave – is something we know well here on the Peninsula.

We haven’t met Josh yet, but the fact he’s mates with Nick tells us two things: he’s probably half-decent, and he knows how to spot a good beach or bike track. That’s enough to get our vote – though the wine really does speak for itself.

This is more than a label. It’s a reunion of mates, a product of experience, and a tribute to doing things the hard way – because it’s the right way. Ask for it by name at your local bottle-o — and if they don’t stock it yet, ask them why not. Then ask louder. In the meantime, Adventurous Souls Wines are available at Cellar & Pantry in Red Hill, Independent Wine Store in Rye, and Gumtree Good Food in Brighton, Albert Park & Middle Park.