The concept of bottling Merlot as a sparkling wine came from the re-emergence of interest in effervescent Australian burgundy. Irvine has been aged in older oak casks to give maturity without much oak infusion, thereby lifting the Merlot characters in their own right. The elegance and richness of Merlot was such that it needed to be balanced by less than the usual liqueuring, hence the Brut designation. The dryer taste, the creaming of the bead, and the clear cut Merlot flavour all combine to give a truly individual sparkling red wine.

After more than twenty years of research and development amongst the vines at Springhill in Valley Eden, conducted in concert with adjustments and fine tuning to the vinification techniques, Irvine have achieved a distinctive style, one of the finest examples of pure Merlot wines in the world. In May 1997 Irvine was judged World's Best in Switzerland against legends Chateau Petrus, Italy's Antinori and America's Mondavi. In 2006 Irvine Grand Merlot was named Best New World Red Wine at the prestigious Mundus Vini competition in Germany.

Crafted by one of Australia's most accomplished, highly specialized handlers of Merlot, assembled from components that are shared with the estate's Grand Merlot flagship. Very much a new world wine crafted with old world exactitude, offering generous helpings of varietal plum and chocolate spice. Irvine's entry level Merlot is fashioned for everyday enjoyment at a hard to find level of sophistication.

The auspicious Shiraz vines at Hutton Vale can be proud of the most distinguished lineage, tracing their forebears through the illustrious Mt Edelstone property, back to the original James Busby clones, sired by Yalumba's Samuel Smith in the 1850s. The quality of fruit as it ripens on the vine really needs to be seen to be appreciated, tiny berries with supple leathery skins, open fermented and filled to a luxuriously high proportion of new oak hogsheads for two years maturation. Eden Valley Shiraz of the highest provenance, august yet elegant, resplendent and refined.

The Angas family share a long tradition of viticulture with the craggy chills on the elevated high country of Valley Eden. Colin Angas established Riesling vines to a gently sloping site in the 1960s. Two distinct sections, the top of slope is leaner and more exposed, making tightly structured wines of crisp, vibrant acidity. Vines further down are planted to vigorous red soils, yielding plumper bunches of fruit, redolent of fresh aromatics and citrus zing. Lime cordial, calico and talc, a dash of minerality, refreshing acidity and a lengthy, textured chalky dry finish.

A block or two of tough, inhospitable soils on the Hutton Vale property were planted to Grenache in the 1960s. Growing conditions were so disfavourable that many of the vines failed and had to be replaced, a highly opportune setback which turned out to be a windfall, as the recalcitrant parcels were mistakenly planted with Mataro, the stylistic soulmate of Grenache. Fermented on skins for a week, followed by two years in seasoned and new French oak puncheons, loaded with red and black fruits, savouryness and licorice, a fine tannin line, supple and soft.

Ron Angas established the illustrious Mount Edelstone vineyard in 1912, the sacred site was eventually acquired by the Henschke family and has since been the source of the nation's most memorable vintages. Cuttings were taken from Mt Edelstone in the 1960s for replanting on Hutton Vale Farm. Cabernet Sauvignon arrived somewhat later, a single five acre block planted by John Angas to challenging soils which yield less than a tonne per acre. An exquisitely small batch Barossa Cabernet of marvelous intensity and the most profound provenance.

Over several generations, with roots dating back to the 19th century, the Hill-Smith family have become expert in locating exceptional sites that maximise the personality of their wines. A favourite playground has been Valley Eden, in the rugged and undulating high country of the Barossa. Sauvignon Blanc is fashioned from parcels grown to the propitious eight hectare Hill-Smith family vineyard. The variations in fruit ripeness, oak treatment and wild yeast adds an extra dimension of complexity and finesse to the wine.

Hill-Smith are pioneers of new world viticulture, a first family of Australian wine, they have spent generations husbanding the original Burgundian clones of Chardonnay on choice sites on the Adelaide Hills. Their passionate efforts have made a major contribution to the emergence of new and exciting styles in Chardonnay, focusing on balance and elegance, working closely with site and vine selection. Wild oak barrel ferments and extended lees exposure achieve a richly aromatic, luxuriously creamy style to match with the finest and freshest gastronomy.

Eden Valley Chardonnay excels for its vibrant, creamy flavours and zest, a lovely range of flavours, refined texture and great elegance. A collation of parcels, selectively picked off choice sites throughout Eden Valley, are all managed by a canon of long term owner growers who specialize in Chardonnay, presenting a rich tapestry of flavours to create individuality in the finished wine. A variety of clones are treated to a wild indigenous yeast ferment and a term of age in a selection of seasoned and new French oak barriques, before the final assemblage.

Eden Valley, perched high above the Barossa, is recognized as one of the world's finest Riesling growing appellations. The most distinctive geological feature of this Shangri-La are the metal grey, rocky outcrops of slate and granite. Hewitson retains a princely parcel. A single vineyard Riesling of exceptional freshness, intensity and longevity, from one of the best Eden Valley sites, Gun Metal is the perfect name, a reference to the grey coloured stone scattered throughout the vineyard and the piquant, steely minerality that resonates throughout every sip of the wine.

A revitalizing cépage of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, from fine vineyards in Eden Valley and the distinguished Henschke Lenswood property at Adelaide Hills. This adroitly, hand chosen kaleidoscope of parcels is fashioned into a seamless wine, of stunning bouquets and engaging palate, named in honour of great aunt Ottilie Mathilde Henschke. Like the many remarkable women of an era when daily life was a far cry from the ease of today, she grew her own produce while raising a large family.

Yes, there really is a Peggy's Hill and she's a local landmark atop the range between Eden Valley and Keyneton. Peggy's Hill Riesling is vinified from fruit grown by a qabal of traditional growers, Henschke paladins whose vines are up to fifty years old, planted to low vigor ancient Cambrian soils at 500 metres altitude. Eden Valley Riesling is well known for its exceptional varietal and regional characteristics. Peggy's Hill is crafted to be primarily fruit driven, bottled immediately after fermentation to retain all the essential Eden Valley Riesling expressions.

Exceptional Langtons Classification. From vines almost a century of age, established to a superior Eden Valley site, selected by one of the nation's most venerable viticulturalists. Deep loam soils and a Mediterranean climate, refreshed by cool nights, permit a slow ripening which encourages the ancient vines to yield parcels of the most extraordinary Shiraz grapes. Inaugurally bottled as a single vineyard edition in 1952, with a provenance that's second to none, Mount Edelstone represents a bespoke rival to the mighty Hill of Grace.

Exceptional Langtons Classification. Edelstone means gemstone, the vineyard itself is a single delineated historic site, planted in the early 1900s on the eastern slopes of a hill bearing the same name. Low yielding, ancient dry grown vines, an extraordinary quality of fruit and traditional hands on vinification are essential to one of the nation's most venerated Old-Vine Shiraz. Henschke first released a pure Edelstone Vineyard wine in 1952, it is internationally recognised as Australia's great first growths of Shiraz.

Excellent Langtons Classification. Keyneton Vineyard is named after English pioneer Joseph Keynes who settled atop the Mt Lofty ranges and established a village in 1842. Cyril Henschke purchased the property in 1966 and sowed the land to vines at a time when Riesling was the wine of choice and bonuses were being paid by the large wineries. He also had the foresight to plant Shiraz, the source of fruit for Keyneton Estate Euphonium, vines are now over forty years of age and yielding some of the Eden Valley's finest red wine.

The historic village of Keyneton and it's surrounds had been a home for up to seven wineries in the days of early settlement. Keyneton was a strong cultural focus for early pioneers, such as the Henschke Family Brass Band! This musical ensemble survived generations and featured wonderful wind instruments such as a B flat euphonium, cornet and E flat clarinet, which have all been restored and remain proudly within Henschke family hands. A complex cepage of Shiraz and Cabernet, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, grown to exceptional terroirs in Valleys Eden and Barossa.

Johann Christian Henschke purchased land around the tiny village of Keyneton in 1861 after fleeing religious persecution in Silesia. Keyneton grew to become a cultural focus for early Barossa settlers, not least of all was the Henschke Family Brass Band! The B flat euphonium, imported to Australia from Leipzig in the late nineteenth century by musical entrepreneur Carl Engel of Adelaide, was the Henschke favourite. Just like the namesake Henschke wine, a euphonium exhibits warmer and more subtle tonal qualities than it's louder modern counterparts.

Cyril Henschke developed a reputation for premium Riesling wines as early as the 1950s, after a series of memorable vintages fashioned from fruit grown to splendid Eden Valley vineyards. The dry, food oriented styles of Springton and Keyneton are naturally endowed with a capacity to evolve delicious toasty marmalade flavours. The mesoclimes are blessed with ideal ripening conditions which form intensely flavoured esters in the grapes. Julius has been named for a Henschke ancestor, a highly acclaimed artist and sculptor.

A tribute to the early Lutheran pioneers, many of whom carried Johann as their first name. Two thirds Grenache, with the balance of Mourvedre and Shiraz, all from low yielding, old and gnarled, dry farmed, bush grown and trellised Barossa vineyards. These precious sites yield parcels of parched but intensely flavoured fruit, in smaller berry and bunch size, exuding rare generosity and remarkable warmth. A richly concentrated palate, beautifully soft and textural, supported by fine grained tannins and a long, savoury finish.

From a small block of younger vines on the illustrious Hill Of Grace Vineyard in Valley Eden. The precious block was planted during the 1990s around the ruins of an ancient post office, on a property name after Gottlieb Rosenzweig rose twig, one of the early Lutheran settlers who established his homestead at nearby Parrot Hill. Matured eighteen months in a high selection of new French oak hogsheads, Hill of Roses is marked by its exceptional finesse, licorice notes, blackberry and cassis, a measure of tittilating five spice on the seemingly endless, creamy tannin finish.

Exceptional Langtons Classification. Over 165 years ago, Johann Christian Henschke came from Silesia to settle in the Eden Valley. His legacy is one of Australia's great luxury brands. By the time third generation Paul Alfred Henschke took over the reins in 1914, the famous Hill of Grace Shiraz vines were more than fifty years old. A fully endowed, engaging wine in old world styling, Hill of Grace unlocks layers of complexity as it breathes and evolves in the glass. Vintage 2006 shaped up as another high quality year, with a growing season which reduced the yields.

Exceptional Langtons Classification. Hill of Grace is a unique delineated single historic vineyard, one of the nation's earliest plantings. The site lies opposite a beautiful old Lutheran Church, built of local field stone, which was euphoniously named Gnadenberg.

Exceptional Langtons Classification. Exclusively Hill of Grace Shiraz from pre-phylloxera material planted around the 1860s by Henschke ancestor, Nicolaus Stanitzki, to rich alluvial soils on a shallow fertile valley just northwest of the winery. Searing heat for vintage 2004 caused sunburn and significant crop losses. New records were broken with South Australia experiencing its hottest day ever. March returned the region to glorious sunny days and cold dewy nights, allowing the fruit to ripen under near perfect conditions, delivering a harvest of excellent quality.

Exceptional Langtons Classification. Crafted from the hand picked fruit of national heirloom blocks ranging between 52 and 144 years of age, Hill of Grace is Australia's most prestigious, first growth, single vineyard wine.

A pure, single vineyard wine from Shiraz grapes picked off pre phylloxera material brought to the Barossa by European settlers in the mid 1800s. Vinified from the fruit of vines up to a century and a half of age, to be luxuriously aged under a selection of completely new oak for eighteen months. Australia's finest and most distinguished single vineyard wine.

Exceptional Langtons Classification. Hill of Grace is a place of great international renown in the world of wine, the most historically significant vineyard in Australia, planted circa 1860 by early Lutheran settlers fleeing persecution. Home to some of the globe's most precious blocks of Shiraz, it lies opposite a beautiful old Lutheran Church named Gnadenberg.

Hill of Grace is a magnificent Eden Valley Shiraz, fashioned from vineyard blocks up to a century and a half of age. Full bodied and stunningly perfumed, endowed with a concentration of spellbinding old vine characters, the distinguished and compelling Hill of Grace is acclaimed internationally as one of the new world's great first growths in wine.

Hill of Grace is surely one of the most evocative phrases in the world of wine. For Henschke it is the name of both the vineyard and the wine that has so captured the heart of the wine world. The eight hectare vineyard on the original thirty hectare block sits at an altitude of 400 metres, an isolated spot that was once a village. The oldest blocks are a century and a half of age, they are called upon to provide the backbone of fruit, vinified alongside parcels from younger old vines which are all a minimum fifty years of age.

One of the new world's great single vineyard wines, celebrated internationally as much for the heritage of its ancient vines, as for the artisanal craftsmanship and skill of the winemaker. Stephen Henschke has retained the traditional approach to viticulture and vinification as employed by his forefathers. The key to the enduring success for Hill of Grace, comes down to the care of ancestral vineyard blocks and a holistic approach that has been passed down from generation to generation.

Exceptional Langtons Classification. Henschke take a puristic, holistic approach that has been passed down from generation to generation and has now become intuitive. A pure single vineyard wine of spectacular concentration, Hill of Grace is a wonderfully complex old vine Shiraz that unfolds more flavours and perfumes as it evolves in the glass.

Exceptional Langtons Classification. Henschke take a minimalist approach to handling the precious fruit of a great historical vineyard. Excessive handling, racking or movements of the wine are avoided, every opportunity is given for the fruit to speak for itself. Earthy and mineral, concentrated with the explosive black bramble characters of a superior Vallée du Rhône, cossetted by a veneer of new oak ferments and endowed with the most refined, elegant tannins.

Exceptional Langtons Classification. One of the world's great vineyards, Hill of Grace is preserved through the efforts of Prue and Stephen Henschke, as they employ a regimen of traditional agricultural techniques which would have been familiar to Australia's earliest pioneers. The site was originally chosen for its auspicious mesoclime, it remains the source of the nation's most exceptional single vineyard wine. Shiraz grown to the pre phyloxera vines a century and a half of age, is minimally handled, allowing the outstanding quality of fruit to speak for itself.

One of the few quality releases, out of what was a lesser vintage around Australia. Inconsistent weather patterns, followed by February heatwaves, made unremarkable wines everywhere, some of the Barossa and Eden Valley vineyards however, somehow managed to pull through and yield parcels of superior quality fruit. Hill of Grace delivered an elegant wine, perfumed with violets and sweet red fruits, concentrated with flavour and supported by a length of caramel vanilla oak, a perfect balance and endless finish.

Vintage 1988 brought a harvest of the most outstanding Shiraz to Valley Eden. A smaller yield due to spring frosts, the bulk of the growing season was long, warm and dry, ideal for Henschke vineyards. A highly memorable Hill of Grace, the grapes came in early and in superb condition, the finished wine was characterized by a spectacular concentration of Eden Valey Shiraz fruit characters.

Vintage 1985 proved too hot and dry for most vineyards within the environs of Eden and Barossa Valleys. Severely reduced crops for most South Australian wineries were further decimated by the ravages of a very wet autumn. Henschke's Eden Valley fruit was saved largely by it's protective Shangrila topography, a unique mesoclime which yields the most precious harvests while maintaining the excellence of Australia's finest single vineyard wine.

A long period of drought was broken by welcomed rains early in the 1984 growing season, which heralded an opportunity to produce a good harvest. The weather turned warm at vintage, finishing a good year with favourable conditions. Slightly more restrained and reserved than releases from similarly warm years, the old Eden Valley vines yielded Shiraz of tight fruit character and exquisite balance, Henschke Hill of Grace again led the way.

A disastrous vintage across most winegrowing regions, vintage 1983 was one which most Australian winemakers would rather forget. Wildfires such as the cataclysmic Ash Wednesday, hail, drought and heat, it all happened in 1983. Somehow, the Henschke vineyards, cocooned around the higher Eden Valley ranges, seemed to rise above the adversities of vintage and produce a very fine Hill of Grace. A refined Shiraz wine of judicious background oak and good concentration of articulate, old vine Shiraz characters.

A favourable summer, experiencing warm and even temperatures was preceded by much welcomed rains, which nourished the Henschke vineyards early in the growing season. The vines were highly stimulated by the superb conditions of vintage 192, unfettered by climactic setbacks, Shiraz ripened beautifully, the batches of fruit came in on time and in remarkable shape. Henschke remain dedicated to the sustainable management of the grand old vines, applying regimens of viticulture which would have been familiar to forebears, a century and a half ago.

A growing season which proved too hot and dry for most vineyards across South Australia, budburst and fruit set were a disappointment, bringing softer yields which continued to diminish throughout the summer. The Henschke wines from 1981 stood out brilliantly, as traditional viticulture and generations of accumulated skill make an essential contribution. Hill of Grace was spared the excesses ofe vintage, yielding exquisite grapes with ripe tannin levels, ideal for flavour development. A genuine, but rare class effort from the vexed 1981 vintage.

Henschke is one of the longest established names in the Barossa. Johann Christian Henschke purchased land for a farm at Keyneton in 1861, after fleeing religious persecution in Silesia. He planted a small vineyard and an orchard. After initially making wine for family consumption, he produced his first commercial vintage in 1868. Each generation built upon the reputation for quality, but it was fourth generation Cyril Alfred Henschke, who in 1958, created the wine that has most captured the wine world's imagination, Hill of Grace.

Hill of Grace, the name of the vineyard and the wine that has so captured the heart of Shiraz cohorts around the world, shared an unfavourable growing season alongside most of Australia's winegrowing regions. Hot and dry throughout summer, a prolonged wet autumn, tested the ancient vines, and the superlative skill of the Henschke growers. Nevertheless, 1979 produced a delicate and refined Hill of Grace, worthy of the name's stature. A lighter, sweeter, pleasantly plump and jammy wine with ripe, brambly fruit, oak influence and supple, soft tannins.

Hill of Grace came delivered a majestic and long lived Shiraz in vintage 1978. The growing season was dry but temperate, unhampered by environmental vagaries, the old vine fruit was allowed to develop to textbook ripeness, the finished wine represents a classic Australian red of richness and longevity. Honest, earthy and tarry, an almost porty ripe Shiraz, vintage 1978 initially exhibited fleshiness and lively sweet fruit combined with a firm tannic backbone. An honest and generous edition with integrated oak and supple finish.