Mataro Shiraz – 2015 Limited Museum Release

Only 20 Dozen – available till sold out

Out of the three traditional red grape varieties of the Barossa, Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro. Mataro and Shiraz have always been my favourites. Shiraz for its bold richness and Mataro for its savoury spice and earthiness.

This single vineyard is nestled at the base of the Barossa Ranges in the Krondorf sub-region, it is planted in rich red loamy clay.  It is sun struck during the day and is soothed by the cool air falling from the hills at night. The vineyard even though is young in Barossa terms, shows an intensity and complexity usually reserved for older vines.

The property was the original home to the Henschke family before they headed up to the hills. It stayed in the hands of extended family for many years, but the house was rented out, the home garden and orchard were left to fend for themselves and the big block at the back was leased to the guy next door as cropping land.

My father and Pam, (Mum 2.0) were lucky to win the bid to buy it because the owner knew full well that they would restore it to its former glory.

The old bluestone home has been fully restored, the one hectare of garden is now flourishing and feeding their most loyal customers in their little dining room at the winery down the road. The big block at the back, after years of organically improving the soil, is planted up with Mataro, Shiraz and Grenache.

Dad picked only the best vineyards to get cuttings from and my brother, myself and Dan Rowe, (The Vine Yoda) hand-picked only the best cuttings which Dan and my brother after a good bit of rain stuck in the ground and tended to maturity.

The fruit only goes to the family and is treated with the respect it deserves.

This wine to me is more than what’s in the bottle, it represents the on-going history of my region, the complexity of family and the chance of being able to create something I truly love.

Travis Earth