Two Hands
History and Background
Two Hands Wines, located in the Barossa Valley of South Australia, was founded in the late 1990s by Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz. The estate is known for its exceptional Shiraz wines, which reflect the unique terroir of the region. Two Hands Wines' commitment to quality and innovation has quickly earned it a prestigious reputation among Australian wine producers.
Vineyards and Terroir
Two Hands's vineyards are located in the Barossa Valley, South Australia, covering approximately 45 hectares:
- Soil Composition: The soils are predominantly sandy loam over clay sub-layers, providing well-drained conditions and contributing to the bold flavor profile and intense color of the wines.
- Grape Varieties: The estate primarily grows Shiraz, along with smaller plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Mataro, and a few others. These varieties produce robust and complex red wines that reflect the unique microclimates and diverse soil types found across their vineyard sites.
Each vineyard section is meticulously managed according to its specific needs, leveraging organic principles where possible. This tailored approach ensures the expression of each plot's distinctive character, enhancing the unique terroir-driven qualities of the wines.
Wine Style and Production
- Key Characteristics: Two Hands's wines are known for their elegance and complexity, with robust flavors of blackcurrant, plum, and spice, complemented by notes of tobacco and cedar. The high acidity content adds freshness, firm tannins, and excellent aging potential, making these wines highly sought after by connoisseurs and collectors alike.
- Winemaking Philosophy: Two Hands is dedicated to expressing the unique characteristics of its vineyards through a synthesis of traditional and innovative practices. Emphasizing sustainable and organic practices, the estate prioritizes meticulous vineyard management techniques such as hand-harvesting and selective green harvesting. This approach ensures that only the best quality grapes are used, reflecting the estate's commitment to producing exceptional wines.
- Influence on Style and Quality: Two Hands's rigorous approach to vineyard management and winemaking directly impacts the style and quality of their wines. The meticulous selection and handling of grapes ensure optimal ripeness and flavor profiles, which are further enhanced by aging in French oak barrels. This careful aging process introduces additional layers of complexity and sophistication, contributing to the wines' renowned depth, elegance, and potential for longevity. Together, these elements underscore Two Hands's reputation for crafting distinctively refined yet powerful wines.
Reputation
Two Hands is an Australian wine producer renowned for producing premium Shiraz and other varietal wines. Established in 1999 by Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz, it has quickly gained a reputation as a top-tier winery, notably for its distinct approach and commitment to showcasing regional varietal characteristics across Australia.
A unique aspect of Two Hands' approach is its series of Shiraz that highlight the differences between Australia’s wine regions. For example, their Garden Series is a collection of Shiraz from different regions such as Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley, and others, each selected to express the unique soil and climate of its respective region. This allows connoisseurs to experience the nuanced variations in flavor, structure, and aroma that geography imparts to the wine.
Another distinctive feature of Two Hands is their meticulous vineyard management and winemaking practices. They employ a mix of traditional and innovative techniques, such as minimal interventionism, detailed soil analysis, and precise harvesting strategies ensuring quality over quantity. This meticulous attention to detail at every stage from vineyard to bottle has solidified Two Hands’ reputation among wine enthusiasts and critics alike.
The acclaim of Two Hands is also evident in its regular high ratings and reviews from noted wine critics and publications. Multiple offerings from Two Hands have featured in lists like Wine Spectator’s annual Top 100 list, underscoring its prestige and respected status in the wine industry globally.
Final Thoughts
Two Hands Wines, renowned for its specialization in Shiraz, stands out as a distinguished producer in the Barossa Valley, a prestigious wine region of Australia. What distinguishes Two Hands is their meticulous approach to showcasing the diversity of terroir across Australia, particularly through their Garden Series which exemplifies the unique characteristics of Shiraz grown in different regions. They achieve an extraordinary depth and variety in their wine portfolio by combining innovative viticultural practices with traditional winemaking techniques. Their commitment to quality is consistently recognized on the global stage, with Two Hands being named in Wine Spectator's Top 100 wines multiple times. Their Bella's Garden Shiraz, in particular, has achieved critical acclaim, epitomizing the nuanced, richly textured style that Two Hands strives for. Through these accomplishments, Two Hands not only underscores the potential of Australian Shiraz but also solidifies its reputation as a leader in producing expressive, regionally distinct wines that are revered worldwide.