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Our Vines

Our Vine Heritage

“

Old vines don’t just give you wine, they give you a story. As the wine opens up you see more and more pages of that story.”
- Stephen Henschke

Words: Katie Spain

We grow a gobsmacking range of grape varieties in South Australia, thanks to our diverse climates, ancient soils and forward-thinking vignerons.  

That’s why South Australia is home to some of the oldest (continually producing) vines in the world. Tales of vine cuttings making their way to Australia begin with the First Fleet arrivals in 1788. Pivotal characters included explorer Gregory Blaxland and wool pioneer Captain John Macarthur who traversed Europe collecting vines and planted their first vineyard in Australia in 1820. Then there was Scotsman James Busby who, after emigrating to Australia with his parents in 1824, travelled through Spain and France in 1831, gathering cuttings as he went. Hundreds of the little treasures made their way to New South Wales and eventually to South Australia.  

It's impressive stuff, but how do we understand what we can’t necessarily see? And when it comes to age, what exactly does ‘old’ mean?  

According to the Vinehealth Australia Vineyard Register, of the total area of vines planted in South Australia:

  • We have 65,559 hectares of vines aged 0-34 years
  • We have 7,857 hectares of vines aged 35-69 years
  • We have 578 hectares of vines aged 70-99 years
  • We have 274 hectares of vines aged 100 years to 124 years
  • And in the 125 years plus category, we have 150 hectares of vines here in SA

These 125-year-old vines can be found in the Barossa Valley, Eden Valley, McLaren Vale, the Clare Valley, Coonawarra, Langhorne Creek and the Riverland. They include 91 hectares of Shiraz in the Barossa, McLaren Vale, Clare, Coonawarra and Langhorne Creek.

We also have some 125-year-old-plus Cabernet Sauvignon in the Barossa and Langhorne Creek, and 125-year-old Grenache can be found in the Barossa Valley, Clare, McLaren Vale and the Riverland. The Barossa is also home to 125+ year old Mataro, Semillon, Pedro Ximenez, Riesling and Trebbiano.

The Barossa Old Vine Charter is another handy resource. The Old Vine Charter was recognised industry-wide during 2009 (after being spearheaded by Yalumba in 2007) with a goal to improve clarity and honesty in wine labelling.  

It exists so that vineyards can be registered by age, and so that older vines can be preserved and retained. It also allows wine brands to accurately promote the vines and wines to which they contribute, like Langmeil Winery’s Old Vine Garden Collection.

The Old Vine Charter groups vines into four categories. ‘Barossa Old Vine’ refers to vines equal or greater than 35 years of age. These include Pewsey Vale, The Contours Riesling, Pewsey Vale, 1961 Block Riesling, and Hahn Barossa Vineyards Mataro at Light Pass. ‘Barossa Survivor Vine’ refers to equal or greater than 70 years of age and applies to the likes of Kalleske’s Old Vine Grenache, The Willows Vineyard, Single Vineyard Semillon, Teusner’s Avatar Grenache Shiraz Mataro, and the Hewitson 3 Corner Grenache, Koch Family Pilgrim Vineyard. ‘Barossa Centenarian Vine’ is reserved for vines that are equal or greater than 100 years of age; hello, Henschke, Mount Edelstone Shiraz, Chateau Tanunda’s 100 Year Old Vines Shiraz, and Yalumba’s The Steeple Shiraz. 

Finally, ‘Barossa Ancestor Vine’ is reserved for vines equal or greater than 125 years of age. These astoundingly impressive Ancestors include Cirillo Estate, 1850 Grenache, Hewitson, Old Garden Mourvèdre, Koch Family Pilgrim Vineyard, Langmeil’s The Freedom 1843 Shiraz, Henschke, Hill of Grace Shiraz, Penfolds Block 42 Cabernet Sauvignon, Poonawatta Estate’s The 1880 Shiraz, Chateau Tanunda’s 150 Year Old Vine Semillon, Elderton’s Command Single Vineyard Shiraz, Turkey Flat’s The Ancestor Shiraz, and Yalumba’s The Tri-Centenary Grenache.  

It's a big deal. Our vines are more than plants – they’re our heritage, our future, and our pride. Ancient vines have the potential to produce wines of depth and soul and they’re a treasure we protect fiercely. Goodness knows they age better than us humans do.  

Whether it's bold, generous Shiraz or an exciting new Nero d’Avola, Falanghina or Piquepoul plantings, every vintage, row and bunch matters. The proof is in the bottle.   

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Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia. Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission

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