2023 Hillside Vineyard Grenache

This south facing vineyard, nestled in the ridge between Seppeltsfield and Marananga and planted in 1958, demonstrates its unique soil structure, micro-climate and distinctive clone resulting in a wine of extraordinary power and restraint. Meticulously hand-tended, the five-acre vineyard yields low quantities of small, concentrated berries, resulting in a powerful and luxurious wine, with a dense, complex and alluring palate that can be cellared for decades in one’s collection of the finest wines of the world. Torbreck is the name of a forest near Inverness, Scotland and you’ll find more than a passing nod to the Celts in our wine naming conventions. The Laird of the Estate in Scotland is the Lord of the Manor and master of all he surveys.

The Forebear is named in honour of those who came before, our ancestors, whose custodianship, vision and values protected and preserved these heritage vines. This single vineyard Shiraz is a testament to ancient soils and the sustainable viticultural practices of generations of Barossa farmers. Medium to full weight with lifted red fruit aromatics, balanced by the nuanced influence of restrained French barrique maturation. A timeless addition to any collection, this Shiraz promises to gracefully evolve and captivate for many years to come. Torbreck is the name of a forest near Inverness, Scotland and you’ll find more than a passing nod to the Celts in our wine naming conventions. 

RunRig often draws comparison with the beautifully fragrant and tautly structured wines from the steep slopes of the Northern Rhône Valley’s Appellation of Côte Rôtie. Shiraz from old dry grown Barossa vineyards is blended with Viognier, complementing the strengths and complexities of these individual parcels of fruit, whilst giving the resulting wine a further dimension. Although wonderfully aromatic, RunRig also exhibits a power and latent richness making it more akin to the hugely concentrated wines sourced from the sun drenched hill of Hermitage – the historic home of Syrah and some of the world’s most powerful and longest living wines. Torbreck is the name of a forest near Inverness, Scotland. You’ll find more than a passing nod to the Celts in our wine naming conventions including this reference to the “RunRig” system of land distribution among Highland clansmen. Their widely dispersed holdings were managed communally rather than as any one farm…not unlike this complementary blend of Shiraz and Viognier making the sum of the parts greater than the whole.

Purity, intensity and finesse – Les Amis is a testament to the persistence of our expert, multi-generational, grape growers and what the greatest terroirs can impart. Grenache has been a stalwart variety of the Barossa for more than 150 years, ideally suited to the Mediterranean climate and ancient soils. Sourced from the revigorated soils of western Greenock, the concentration, poise and elegance of this single vineyard Grenache is perfectly balanced and characteristic of this unique terroir. Les Amis translates from the French as The Friends.