Yalumba Old Bush Vine Grenache

Five generations and 167 years later Yalumba, Australia's most historic family owned winery, has grown in size and stature, embodying all that has made the Australian wine success story the envy of winemakers the world over.

Located near the town of Angaston, South Australia in the Barossa Valley wine region. Yalumba was founded by a British brewer, Samuel Smith, who emigrated to Australia with his family from Wareham, Dorset in August 1847 aboard the ship 'China'. Upon arriving in Australia in December, Smith built a small house on the banks of the River Torrens. He lived there less than a year before moving north to Angaston where he purchased a 30-acre (120,000 m2) block of land on the settlement's south eastern boundary. He named his property "Yalumba" after an indigenous Australian word for "all the land around". In 1849 Samuel Smith, along with his son Sidney, planted Yalumba's first vineyards, beginning the Yalumba dynasty. Today Yalumba is Australia's oldest family-owned winery.

Sustainability is nothing new to Yalumba – it is simply a way of life. With more than 168 years of winemaking behind them, Yalumba understand the need to make the right choices for the environment, the local community and the wines. In the vineyard, Yalumba have a holistic approach to growing grapes. This is embodied in their ‘Vitis Programme’, which states a commitment to having minimal reliance on pesticides and maximum attention to environmental improvement.

Often described as one of Australia's unsung heroes, Grenache is naturally lighter in colour than Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon but continually provides us with wonderful big fruit flavours. Yalumba is extremely fortunate to have access to some of the oldest Grenache vineyards in the Barossa,with fruit for this wine sourced from vines planted between 1898 and 1973.

Grenache,

Often described as one of Australia's unsung heroes, Grenache is naturally lighter in colour than Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon but continually provides us with wonderful big fruit flavours. Yalumba is extremely fortunate to have access to some of the oldest Grenache vineyards in the Barossa,with fruit for this wine sourced from vines planted between 1898 and 1973.

All parcels of Old Bush Vine Grenache are crushed separately, this allows blending options to be maximised. The majority of parcels were fully destemmed, however for some parcels the stems are left on to contribute another flavour dimension. Fermentation is initiated by wild yeasts naturally present on the grapes from the vineyard, cultured winery yeasts are then added to finish off the process. Post fermentation particular parcels are left on skins for two to three months, this extended maturation helps to contribute greater complexity and individuality to the wine.

The Yalumba Old Bush Vine Grenache pushes the elegance of Grenache into new territory. Appealingly pure red cherry with raspberry and cedar, this wine is attractive and ethereal. Violets and liquorice show through the red fleshed, taut and precise palate.

Enjoy with charred mushroom and cashew pizza or a traditional duck cassoulet, leafy salad and warm crusty bread.