Two Hands
Summary
Two Hands, founded in 1999 by Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz, is an independent South Australian producer specializing in regional Shiraz from their Barossa Valley base, with additional sourcing from McLaren Vale, Clare Valley, Eden Valley, Langhorne Creek, and Victoria's Heathcote, often utilizing 80+ year old vines. Their minimal intervention winemaking philosophy and innovative Garden Series showcasing terroir-specific Shiraz expressions have rapidly elevated the winery from its recent founding to international recognition, earning critical acclaim and inclusion in Langton's Classification of Australian Wine.
Heritage & Leadership
Two Hands was founded in 1999 by Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz in South Australia's Barossa Valley. The name "Two Hands" directly references the two founders and reflects their hands-on approach to winemaking. The winery released its first vintage in 2000, quickly establishing a focus on showcasing the regional diversity of Australian Shiraz.
Michael Twelftree continues to serve as Managing Director and remains the driving force behind the winery's operations and vision. While co-founder Richard Mintz was instrumental in the establishment of Two Hands, he has taken a less prominent role in day-to-day operations over time. The winemaking team has evolved over the years, contributing to the consistent house style across multiple vintages.
Two Hands has maintained its independent ownership structure since its founding, allowing for continuity in its winemaking philosophy and business approach. The winery has built its reputation on highlighting regional differences in Australian wine, particularly through its structured series of Shiraz-focused bottlings.
Vineyards & Wines
Two Hands sources grapes from multiple wine regions across South Australia, with a particular emphasis on sites that showcase distinctive regional characteristics. The winery owns Kraehe Vineyard in the Barossa Valley, which serves as their flagship vineyard. Their vineyard sourcing extends across McLaren Vale, Clare Valley, Barossa Valley, Eden Valley, Langhorne Creek, and Heathcote in Victoria.
The winery's vineyard holdings are estimated between 50-100 hectares, comprising both estate-owned properties and contracted vineyards. Many of their vineyard sources feature old vines, with some exceeding 80 years of age, contributing to the concentration and complexity in their wines.
Shiraz stands as Two Hands' signature variety, showcased most prominently in their "Garden Series" – a collection of six Shiraz wines, each from a different Australian wine region. This series demonstrates how the same grape variety expresses distinct characteristics based on its growing environment. The portfolio is structured in tiers, with the "Flagship Series" representing their premium offerings, including wines like Ares and Aphrodite Shiraz. The more accessible "Picture Series" provides earlier-drinking styles for everyday consumption.
Beyond Shiraz, Two Hands produces wines from Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Mataro (Mourvèdre). Their range also includes white wines, with bottlings of Semillon and Riesling rounding out the portfolio.
Philosophy & Practice
Two Hands' winemaking philosophy centers on expressing regional character through minimal intervention techniques that preserve the distinctive qualities of each vineyard source. For their premium wines, hand-harvesting ensures that only the highest quality fruit enters the winery.
The winemaking approach for Shiraz typically involves open-top fermentation, allowing for gentle extraction of color and flavor compounds. Fermentation practices include partial whole-bunch inclusion for some wines, contributing structural complexity and aromatic lift. For their top-tier bottlings, extended maceration helps develop deeper color and more complex tannin profiles.
Aging takes place in a combination of French and American oak barrels, with the specific selection tailored to each wine's character and intended style. The premium wines undergo minimal filtration, preserving texture and flavor complexity in the finished product.
The winery's commitment to quality has earned recognition from wine critics, particularly Robert Parker, who has awarded high scores to numerous Two Hands releases. Their flagship Ares Shiraz has achieved "Outstanding" classification in Langton's Classification of Australian Wine, cementing its position among the country's most collected wines.
Two Hands' approach to winemaking demonstrates a clear focus on regional expression, particularly through their Garden Series, which serves as a viticultural tour of Australia's premier Shiraz-growing regions.