You only have to pull alongside Marco Cirillo’s Grenache vineyard at Vine Vale in the Barossa Valley to bear witness a tangible and enduring statement of the long history of Grenache in the region. Planted in the early 1850’s, it is believed to be the oldest Grenache vineyard in the world…and 175 years later continues to produce world class wine.
A workhorse of Barossa wine for the century leading into the post war period, Grenache was loved by growers for its hardiness in the dry climate, and by winemakers primarily concerned with sourcing consistent yields of ripe fruit to produce fortified wines. But as consumption of ‘port’ declined in the post second world war era to be replaced by dry table wines, Grenache fell out of favour and quickly found itself buried in the deep and dark shadows of the region’s star, Shiraz.
Despite being decidedly out of favour with the wine drinking fashions of the 1980’s and 90’s, far sighted Barossa grape growers rallied to protect and preserve the region's finest Grenache vineyards, knowing full well what grew best in their vine ‘gardens’. Come the new millennium, a generation of young winemakers excited by the pure, bright and athletic vibrancy of the variety and ready access to magnificent old vineyards served as new champions. The fortunes of Grenache began to rise, and they’ve never looked back.
Grenache is a wonderful grape variety, and the Barossa is deservedly acknowledged as home to many world class expressions. Winemakers like Marco Cirillo, Peter Schell at Spinifex and Alex Head of Head Wines are producing brilliant wines. Our neighbours at Seppeltsfield, Torbreck, Two Hands and Greenock Creek all produce exemplary Grenache of the highest order…and one day soon we hope Schubert Estate will join the ranks of the best names in Barossa Valley Grenache.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Our first Grenache vines are being planted this Spring, and the first wines won’t be made until perhaps the 2030 vintage when the vines reach suitable maturity. However, we know the landscape of the Estate is well suited to the variety, and we are inspired by the many great wines made in neighbouring vineyards. I look forward you taking you with us on this exciting Barossa wine journey.