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Making remarkable wines since 1844.

Making remarkable wines
since 1844.

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Penfolds Vineyard

Our Grenache Story

Penfolds and Grenache - an enduring relationship from 1844 to evermore.

Grenache has been a part of the Penfolds winemaking story since our very beginnings.

It was one of the first varietals planted at our first vineyard. It played an equally vital role in both Christopher Penfold’s medicinal tonic wines and Mary Penfold’s award winning blends. And it continues today in both our fortified wines and table wines; including Bin 138, Bin 21 and One by Penfolds.

Penfolds Grenache Vine

From French to South Australian soils

Before setting out for South Australia, the Penfold family secured a number of grenache vine cuttings from the Southern Rhône Valley in France. Carefully nurtured through the long sea voyage, Christopher and Mary used these cuttings to establish their first vineyard at The Grange homestead in Magill.

Aided by the warm and dry Mediterranean-style climate, grenache thrived in its new home and the regions surrounding Adelaide. It was recognised early by Mary Penfold as a reliable varietal that could deliver both high yields and high quality.

As demand for her wines increased, Mary began to seek out quality fruit beyond Magill Estate. For grenache, she principally set her eyes to the Barossa Valley – a region that continues to be one of our most important and remains the heartland of Australia’s finest expressions today.

20th century turbulence

Through the first half of the 20th century, grenache was a generous contributor towards fortified wine production at Penfolds and the broader Australian wine industry.

However, with the introduction of premium dry red wine styles through Max Schubert’s famed Grange trials in the 50s, tastes shifted. The proceeding decades saw grenache plantings reduced.

Grenache was always an important varietal at Penfolds, as the fortified winemaking team never steered away from its inclusion. In the 90s, the winemaking team decided to experiment and test the varietal’s suitability for dry red wine. These early trials paved the way for the suite of expressions we craft today.

EXPLORE THE WINES

Bin 138

Bin 138 draws its inspiration from the wines of Southern Rhône, where shiraz, grenache and mataro (mourvèdre) are blended in varying proportions to create full-bodied wines possessing rich and heady perfume.

Each year, fruit for Bin 138 is sourced from Barossa Valley vines and then matured in seasoned and a small proportion of new oak hogsheads to allow the different varietals to shine through. The first vintage release of this varietal blend was the 1992, labelled ‘Old Vine Barossa Valley’ – it was then elevated to Bin status with the 1998 vintage.

Bin 138 in front of red background

"The shiraz, grenache and mataro varietals have been part of the Barossa Valley landscape since the early 1840s. Bin 138 consistently proves to be an aromatic and approachable wine that offers great versatility with a wide selection of cuisines."

- Shavaughn Wells, Penfolds Winemaker

Bin 21 in front of red background

Bin 21

Bin 21 saw its inaugural release under The Penfolds Collection 2023, earning its stripes after many years of grenache trials and exploration within our Cellar Reserve program. The 2022 vintage of Bin 21 was sourced from low yielding old vines in the Barossa Valley, some planted as far back as the 1930s. It is a full circle wine, that retains an important link to Penfolds early days, while ardently striding into the future.

Its Bin number was selected in respect to our first Cellar Reserve Barossa Valley Grenache – a wine that was made in 2002 and is still keenly sought by collectors today. As the first release marks 21 years since that remarkable wine, “21” was appointed its Bin number.

"Our first Bin 21 Grenache signifies an important milestone in our quest to master this beguiling varietal."

- Shavaughn Wells, Penfolds Winemaker

One By Penfolds

Grenache is also a key feature within two of our One by Penfolds wines; the Australia Syrah Grenache Mourvèdre and the France Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre.

These two wines are medium-bodied, vibrant, and aromatic – each displaying its own distinct personality while remaining anchored by Penfolds ‘House Style’.

Designed in partnership with Human Made founder NIGO, One by Penfolds celebrates the idea of ‘oneness’; embracing what makes us all different and unique, but also the things that bring us together.

ONE by Penfolds

The future of Penfolds grenache

Grenache is a dynamic grape, that lends itself well to many unique styles and expressions. With each new vintage, comes new possibilities, and we will continue to explore the boundaries of what is possible with this varietal.

"With every trial and experiment, we have honed our understanding of grenache and its expression of place."

- Shavaughn Wells, Penfolds Winemaker

Discover More

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Our Wines

The 2023 Collection

Bottles in cellar

Our Wines

Cellaring Your Wine

Winemaking team

About Penfolds

Our Winemakers

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