Hennings Heathcote Shiraz 2019

This exceptional vineyard is located in the Colbinabbin area at the northern end of the Heathcote region and lies on the famed red Cambrian soil strip. Hennings Vineyard was one of the first vineyards planted in the Heathcote region in the early 1860s. Wines were made until the 1920s when the vineyard was abandoned. It wasn't until 1998 when Daryl Rathjen decided to replant the vineyard on the same original site that production started again. The wine is made by David and Liam Anderson from Wild Duck Creek.

"Hennings is my favourite Heathcote producer and the 2019 Heathcote Shiraz is without doubt their best release to date. Enough to make any Heathcote devotee swoon – masses of luscious, sweet plum and blackberry fruit on both the nose and palate; great mouthfeel and texture; all achieved with  elegance and without excess tannins or extract. A wine that displays all that is great about Heathcote. An outstanding wine for the price."  Nick Munday 

Maturation took place in French oak, 20% of which was new for a period of 18 months. 2019 was an exceptional year for Shiraz in Heathcote. Grapes arrived at the winery with amazing colour and flavour profiles, which in turn has produced wines with depth, power, concentration, great tannic structure and longevity. Hennings rate this, their 19th vintage, as one of the finest they have seen. The wine was matured in quality French oak (20% new) for 18 months and bottled with minimal fining and filtration. 

Expert reviews

"Hennings is my favourite Heathcote producer and the 2019 Heathcote Shiraz is without doubt their best release to date. Enough to make any Heathcote devotee swoon – masses of luscious, sweet plum and blackberry fruit on both the nose and palate; great mouthfeel and texture; all achieved with elegance and without excess tannins or extract. A wine that displays all that is great about Heathcote. An outstanding wine for the price."  Nick Munday, Canterbury Wines - 96+ points and Special Value Wine  ★ 

Awards

Special Value Wine – Canterbury Wines  ★ 

About the winery

Hennings Vineyard was one of the first vineyards planted in the Heathcote region in the early 1860s. It is part of a family owned farm that was established in 1858 by Henning Rathjen, an early German settler. The vineyard is located in the Colbinabbin area at the northern end of the Heathcote region, some 40km north of the Heathcote township. Wines were made until the 1920s when the vineyard was abandoned. It wasn't until 1998 when Daryl Rathjen decided to replant the vineyard on the same original site that production started again.

The 20 acre vineyard is planted predominantly to Shiraz clones pt23 and 1654 and lies on the ancient Cambrian soil for which Heathcote is famous. This soil is among the oldest in the world at over 500 million years old, and apart from being deep and fertile, it has excellent moisture retention which lessens the need for irrigation. The wine is made by David and Liam Anderson from Wild Duck Creek, who employ traditional winemaking techniques - minimal handling, whole berry basket pressing and fermentation with natural yeasts. The reds are matured in quality French oak and bottled with minimal fining and filtration.

Hennings produce two Heathcote Shirazes, a standard estate Shiraz and the flagship 'The Lone Vine' Shiraz. Both wines are truly great examples of Heathcote shiraz; full-bodied, voluptuous and powerful wines that display great intensity and balance.