Produced entirely from shiraz grown on the historic Hill of Grace Vineyard in Eden Valley, this wine is sourced from pre-phylloxera material brought from Europe in the mid-1800s and is cultivated under certified organic and biodynamic practices.

The wine was matured for 20 months in 100% seasoned French oak hogsheads prior to blending and bottling.

It presents a dark crimson colour with ruby hues. The bouquet is enchanting, revealing aromas of blackberry, blueberry and fresh-cut plum, complemented by signature notes of five-spice, black pepper, violets and cedar. The palate is complex and elegant, showing layers of mulberry and dark forest fruits intertwined with star anise. Fine acidity and velvety, layered tannins provide balance, leading to a wine of exceptional depth and length.

More than 180 years ago, Johann Christian Henschke emigrated from Silesia to settle in the Eden Valley, where he established the family’s farming and winemaking traditions. By 1914, when third-generation winemaker Paul Alfred Henschke assumed control, the now-renowned Hill of Grace vines were already over 50 years old. The original vines, known as the ‘Grandfathers’, were planted around 1860 by Nicolaus Stanitzki in rich alluvial soils within a shallow, fertile valley just north-west of the Henschke winery. The vineyard’s red-brown earth, grading into deep silty loam, offers excellent moisture retention for these low-yielding vines, which sit at an altitude of 400 metres with an average annual rainfall of 520mm. Hill of Grace is a unique, historic single vineyard located opposite a picturesque Lutheran church, named after the Silesian region of Gnadenberg, meaning ‘Hill of Grace’. The first single-vineyard shiraz from this site was produced in 1958 by Cyril Henschke using handpicked fruit fermented in traditional open-top fermenters. Today, the vineyard comprises a selection of ancient vines, including the ‘Ancestors’ (over 125 years old), now approaching 160 years of age, along with Centenarians, Survivors and Old Vines, all planted on their own roots and contributing to the wine’s distinctive character.

The 2021 winter delivered ample rainfall, replenishing soil moisture, while a cool and gradual start to the growing season delayed budburst by approximately two weeks. A severe hail event on 28 October significantly impacted early shoot growth in the Keyneton vineyards, reducing crop potential. Late flowering in late November to early December avoided adverse weather conditions, allowing for good fruit set despite lower yields. Moderate summer warmth supported even berry development and balanced vine growth. Timely rainfall in late January, just prior to veraison, was followed by a mild and dry finish to the season. The 2022 harvest occurred one to two weeks later than the historical average. The resulting wines express a strong sense of place, defined by elegance, precision and longevity, reminiscent of exceptional vintages such as 1991, 1999, 2005, 2006, 2010 and 2015. These single-vineyard wines demonstrate outstanding ageing potential and will reward careful long-term cellaring under ideal conditions.

Alc/Vol: 14.5%