Henschke
Summary
Henschke, a sixth-generation family winery founded in 1868 in South Australia's Eden Valley, produces Shiraz from their historic Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone vineyards, with pre-phylloxera vines dating to the 1860s. The estate combines traditional open-top fermentation with modern temperature control, while viticulturist Prue Henschke integrates scientific vineyard management with generations of family knowledge.
Heritage & Leadership
Johann Christian Henschke established the family winery in 1868 at Keyneton in South Australia's Eden Valley. The foundation began with a small vineyard planted by Johann after his arrival from Silesia. Now in its sixth generation of family ownership, Henschke continues under the leadership of Stephen Henschke, who took over winemaking duties from his father Cyril in 1979. Stephen's wife Prue joined as viticulturist in 1987, bringing scientific expertise to the vineyard management. Their children Johann, Justine, and Andreas now work in various roles within the business, maintaining the family's continuous involvement since 1868.
Vineyards & Wines
The Henschke vineyard holdings center on two historic sites: Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone. The Hill of Grace vineyard, planted around 1860-1862, spans 4 hectares in Eden Valley, containing pre-phylloxera Shiraz vines growing in deep alluvial soils over clay. Mount Edelstone vineyard, planted in 1912, covers 16 hectares at 400m elevation, featuring own-rooted Shiraz vines in red-brown clay loam over schist and shale bedrock. Additional vineyards in Eden Valley and the Adelaide Hills focus on Riesling, Semillon, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Eden Valley sites range from 400-500m elevation, while Adelaide Hills plantings reach 550m above sea level.
Philosophy & Practice
Henschke employs both traditional and modern winemaking techniques, with open-top fermenters still used for their flagship wines. Red wines undergo fermentation in both traditional oak vats and modern stainless steel tanks, followed by aging in a combination of French and American oak barrels. The Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone wines age for 18 months in a specific combination of new and used French oak hogsheads. Temperature control during fermentation is precisely managed, with white wines fermented between 12-15°C and reds between 25-28°C. The winery maintains detailed records of each vineyard block's performance and adapts viticultural practices based on ongoing research into soil health and vine performance.