Thistledown is located in the southern part of Australia and was co-founded by two Masters of Wine, Giles Cooke MW and Fergal Tynan MW. The two wine experts first met and bonded over beer during their first year of the Master of Wine course. They shared similar views on wine, leading to a common winemaking philosophy. After becoming Masters of Wine, they decided to create their own unique style under the Thistledown label.

Their winemaking philosophy emphasizes handcrafted wines made with genuine and carefully selected ingredients. They focus on small-batch production and do not follow the typical path of bold, high-alcohol, or heavily oaked wines. Instead, they aim to create wines with their distinctive "Thistledown" style: approachable yet with depth and layers that invite thoughtful exploration.

Giles Cooke and Fergal Tynan source grapes from the finest vineyards in various renowned regions of South Australia. They procure Grenache from McLaren Vale, Chardonnay from Adelaide Hills, and Shiraz from Barossa Valley. Drawing on their rich winemaking experience in both the New and Old World, they craft exceptional wines that are elegant, expressive, and showcase the quality of the terroir and winemaking expertise.

Despite its small scale, Thistledown Winery has garnered numerous awards and accolades. It has been recognized as a five-star winery by respected Australian wine critic James Halliday and listed among the Top 100 Wineries of Australia by The Real Review in 2019.