Hill of Grace Museum Release 2008

The Hill of Grace vineyard is located in South Australia's Eden Valley, nestled in a cool, slightly elevated natural amphitheater overlooking the nearby Barossa River. Planted around a small Lutheran church, the old vines are rooted in deep, mineral-rich soils of sandy loam and clay. This relatively cool terroir, characterized by cooler nights and good ventilation, allows for a slow and even ripening of the grapes. The site is now considered one of the iconic vineyards of Australian winemaking.

The Shiraz grapes from the historic Hill of Grace vineyard are hand-harvested, sorted, and destemmed before undergoing traditional fermentation in small, open vats with pump-overs and punch-downs. After alcoholic fermentation and maceration, the wine is pressed and then transferred to barrels for malolactic fermentation and extended aging in French and American oak barrels, mostly new and second-use, before blending, bottling, and further cellar aging prior to Museum Release.

This wine reveals notes of blackberry , ripe plum , and blackcurrant , complemented by floral touches of violet and dried petals. Peppery nuances, licorice , and sweet spices mingle with subtle oak of cedar , blond tobacco , and dark chocolate . On the palate, the wine is full and silky, supported by fresh acidity, fine yet present tannins, and a long, elegant, and flavorful finish.

Australia began producing wine more than two centuries ago. This has resulted in a country rich in old vines, multigenerational winemaking families, and a deep-rooted knowledge and respect for craftsmanship. Add to this a thirst for exploration and innovation, a fearless attitude, and a diverse portfolio of 65 wine regions across a wide range of climates, and you have the makings of an extraordinary wine nation. Australia burst onto the export scene in the 1980s and has since been offering the world vibrant, fruity, and exceptionally good-value wines. Until the late 1990s and early 2000s, the history of Australian wine was dominated by examples of Shiraz, Grenache, and overly concentrated red blends. Between these two extremes lies the diverse range of high-quality Australian wines and regional wines that has always existed. Australian viticulture is concentrated primarily along the southern coastline where conditions are cooler. There are four main wine regions, each centered around major cities: Western Australia around Perth, South Australia around Adelaide, Victoria around Melbourne, and New South Wales around Sydney. The country is one of the world's largest wine producers and was the fourth-largest exporter in 2011. This recent development has made Australia one of the most prominent countries for the quality of its wines. You can taste Australian wines throughout the country. Each Australian region has its own grape varieties. Australian wines are defined by their grape variety, unlike French wines, which are defined by their terroir.