Australia | Barossa Valley

With a winemaking heritage dating back to the 1840s the Barossa Valley is arguably Australia's best-known wine region. Home to more than 150 wineries the Barossa is famed for its big bold blockbusting red wines, particularly those made from Shiraz; however other grape varieties like Grenache, Mourvèdre (Mataro), Chardonnay and Sémillon have also carved out a reputation for outstanding quality too.

In recent years the Barossa Valley has witnessed a new generation of winemakers come to the fore and who are, once again, helping to change the face of wine in the Barossa Valley. Some herald from families that have been part of the fabric of the region since the 1800s. Others have been drawn from afar, coming from around the world to explore the rich tapestry of soils and terroirs that make the Barossa wine region world renowned.

They are exploring innovative choices of grape varieties and experimenting with grape growing and winemaking styles. Organic and biodynamic farming, earlier picking dates, whole bunch fermentation, extended skin contact, fermentation in amphorae and minimal intervention winemaking are just some of the ways that people are innovating in a traditional wine region like the Barossa Valley.

The wines that are now emanating from the Barossa Valley produced by the new breed of winemakers have captured the wine world's imagination. These wines add to the wonderful diversity of Australia's most famous wine region, ensuring a bright and bold future for many more generations to come.