Henschke: 150 years and a new Hill of Grace

Whenever Henschke, located in South Australia’s Eden Valley, releases its flagship Hill of Grace Shiraz, it sends collectors into a serious frenzy.

What makes it one of Australia’s most covetable red wines? Its rarity and quality account for some of its charms. Hill of Grace is crafted with precision and passion by winemaker Stephen Henschke and viticulturist wife Prue from low-yielding vines that are around 158-years-old, and critics have recognised it as one of the best single-varietal wines in the nation. (James Halliday named the 2012 vintage his Wine of the Year.)

In addition to being impeccably made and of high acclaim, it’s also a storied wine with a rich history. The Hill of Grace 2013 coincides with 150 years of winemaking for the Henschke family, which is a narrative so engaging someone has turned it into a book. Hill of Grace: 150 Years of Henschke Under Southern Skies by Fiona MacDonald, out now, is an account that every Australian wine geek will want to read (keep your eyes peeled for James Halliday’s take on Henschke's history in the coming issue of Halliday magazine).

The Hill of Grace 2013 will be a particularly rare bottle to acquire. “While every vintage of Hill of Grace is a limited release, 2013 and the following vintage 2014 are among our smallest harvests,” Stephen says. According to James, it’s “a full-bodied Hill of Grace, with blackberry, liquorice and anise fruit, the tannins exceptionally well managed, the oak likewise”.