| Region of production: | Eden Valley |
| Winery Location: | Eden Valley |
| Year Established: | Vineyards first planted in 1862; Wines first sold 1868 |
Vineyard Holdings
- Mount Edelstone (40 acres): 100% own-rooted Shiraz planted in 1912 on deep sandy loam over clay. Purchased in 1974.
- Hill of Grace (20 acres): Soil is alluvial sandy loam over clay. 10 acres planted to own-rooted Shiraz (some of the oldest vines planted in the 1860s), the remaining 10 acres are planted to Riesling, Sémillon, and Mataro. Purchased in 1974.
- Eden Valley (80 acres): Own-rooted vines planted on sandy loam over gravel and bedrock with clay patches. Consists of Riesling, Shiraz, Sémillon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Viognier. Purchased in 1966.
- Lenswood (32 acres): Located in Central Adelaide on sandy loam over clay. Consists of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Purchased in 1981.
Top Wines Produced & Inaugural Vintages
- Hill of Grace Shiraz: Inaugural vintage 1958.
- Hill of Roses Shiraz: Produced from younger vines deemed not ready for the Hill of Grace.
- Mount Edelstone Shiraz: Inaugural vintage 1952.
- Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon
Average Total Production
- 480,000 bottles
Summary
The estate’s fourth generation winemaker, Cyril Henschke was considered a pioneer of varietal and single-vineyard wines when most Australian wines were blends and fortified sweet wines. In 1952, Cyril began phasing out all fortified wines from Henschke production. The winery is most recognized for their Hill of Grace Shiraz, held by many in the ranks of Penfold’s Grange. Currently the estate is managed by fifth generation winemaker Stephen Henschke, and his wife Prue, herself a viticulturist. Both Stephen and Prue studied at the University of Adelaide and the Geisenheim Institute of Viticulture and Wine Technology in Germany. At the estate, Prue continues her research on green waste, compost, canopy and soil management, trellising, and trials with native grasses and organic and biodynamic viticulture, as the family has begun to incorporate organic and biodynamic practices. In 1986, Prue began a clonal selection program to identify the best vines for propagation from their famous Mount Edelstone and Hill of Grace vineyards, though the ongoing research is expected be a thirty year program. These cuttings are also propagated to replace old vines where necessary. The vineyards are dry farmed to the extent possible, with drip irrigation employed when needed to keep vines physiologically active.
Style & Vinification Techniques
Stephen has maintained his family’s traditional methods with his red wines. The wines are fermented in open-top fermenters or in barrel. Red wines are aged in both used and new French and American oak hogsheads for up to two years. The wines see minimal racking, and are bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Producer Website: Henschke