Discover: Barossa Grenache - Exclusive Mixed Six Pack | Artisans of Barossa

Barossa Grenache has soared to new heights in the last twenty years, and producers such as Spinifex, Schwarz Wine Co., and John Duval Wines have been true leaders. 

Often, wines were identified as unique on the tasting bench and held aside for special bottlings. However, more recently, those wines have been traced back to the vineyard, and through careful management, they are managed for individual brilliance in the vineyard—ensuring they never end up in a blend again.

New wave producers like Lienert Vineyards and Chaffey Bros. Wine Co. have taken light, pure Grenache to new heights, genuinely rivalling Pinot Noir's place on the dinner table. 

Don't mistake the lightness of these wines for lacking complexity, depth, structure, mouthfeel, and a long, long finish. These are truly fine wines.

Six pack includes:

• Sons of Eden Notus Grenache 2022. Medallion Winner (Best Grenache) – Winewise Championship 2024 & Trophy & Top Gold – Winewise Small Vigneron Awards 2023. Survivor Vines & Old Vines from Light Pass and Trial Hill
• Chaffey Bros. Wine Co. PAX ÆTERNA* Grenache 2023. Survivor Vines (89 years old) from Light Pass. 36% whole bunch. 92 points, Dave Brookes.
• Spinifex Garçon Grenache 2022. Old Vines from Koonunga Hill. 94 points, Campbell Mattinson.
• Schwarz Wine Co. Thiele Road Grenache 2023. Planted in 1941, exceptional Single Vineyard, Old Vine Grenache.
• John Duval Wines Annexus Grenache 2022. Sourced from a single 160+ year old ancestor vineyard in Eden Valley. Only 300 cases made. 96 points, Dave Brookes. 95+ points, Erin Lorkin - and more.

• Lienert Vineyards Estate Grenache 2022. A Grenache lover's heaven, this vineyard is a modern marvel with nine clones of Grenache meticulously planted by John Lienert and gentle winemaking from James Lienert. 

Grenache is a perfect fit for the Barossa Valley, and there are several reasons why this variety thrives so exceptionally here:

1. Warm Climate Compatibility: A sun-loving grape that thrives in the Barossa's warm Mediterranean climate. The long, hot summers and mild winters create ideal conditions for Grenache to ripen fully, developing intense fruit flavours without losing its natural acidity - this is crucial! The warmth helps the grape express its full spectrum of characteristics, from red berry fruitiness to complex spice notes.

2. Old Vines Heritage: Barossa is home to some of the oldest Grenache vines in the world, with some dating back to the 1800s. These old vines produce lower yields, but the quality of the fruit is exceptional, delivering wines with depth, concentration, and complexity. The ancient vine stock is deeply rooted in the Barossa soil, which helps the vines withstand heat and drought, adding a unique, earthy character to the wines.

3. Sandy Soils and Low Rainfall: Barossa's sandy and well-drained soils are particularly suited to Grenache. They allow the vines to struggle enough to produce grapes with intense flavour and vibrant aromatics. Low rainfall encourages deep root systems, producing grapes that reflect their terroir with balanced ripeness and structure.

4. Versatility and Expression: Grenache is incredibly versatile. It makes beautiful single-varietal wines and plays a starring role in Barossa’s iconic GSM (Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro) blends. Its natural elegance, bright red fruit profile, and ability to take on savoury, herbal, and spicy characteristics make it a winemaker’s favourite in Barossa, ranging from fresh and light to rich and complex styles.

5. Winemaking Tradition: The Barossa Valley has a long tradition of working with Grenache, with our Artisans profoundly understanding how to handle the grape to express its potential best. From minimal intervention approaches highlighting fruit purity to more structured styles, Grenache showcases the region’s winemaking heritage and innovation.

There are forty grape varieties planted in the Barossa, and Grenache is one of the most loved, and shared with much passion in our Wine Room.