Henschke (Winemaking, Prices, Best Wines 2024)
Want to know all about Henschke wine before adding one to your collection?
Famous for its brilliant ‘Hill of Grace’ and ‘Mount Edelstone’ Shiraz (Syrah) wines, the Henschke wine estate produces some of the most expensive Australian wines.
Why is Henschke wine special? What is the best Henschke wine to add to your wine collection?
This article dives into the world of Henschke - from its fascinating history and sustainable viticulture to the best Henschke wines to buy in 2024.
You’ll also discover an easy way to invest in these fine wines.
Further reading
- Find out all the insider tips about Investing In Fine Wine in this detailed guide.
- If you're a fan of white wines, you'll definitely fall in love with these Exquisite White Gewurztraminer Wines. Also, check out our Definitive Guide To The Elegant Grenache Wines!
A Quick Intro To Henschke
Henschke is a 150-year-old family-owned wine estate situated in Keyneton, South Australia. The Henschke vineyards are located in Eden Valley, Barossa Valley, and Adelaide Hills.
They produce a range of red and white wines - from delicious everyday wine to valuable collectibles
The wine estate is owned and managed by the family’s fifth-generation, Stephen Henschke and his wife, Prue. Stephen and Prue have introduced better and modernized techniques to improve their wines while still keeping their traditions intact.
They also offer a unique wine experience through their Cellar Door - where you can taste and experience the styles and varieties Barossa is known for!
Also read: Interested in red wine? Explore the world of Delicious Malbec, Smoky Zinfandel, and Fruity Barbera wine.
Here’s how it started.
The History Of Henschke: Six Generations Of Exceptional Winemakers
Johann Christian Henschke, an immigrant from Silesia, bought plots in the North Rhine district (Keyneton) of the Barossa Range in 1862.
Along with his son Paul Gotthard, he planted the small vineyard and built a small two-storeyed cellar to store his first Riesling and Shiraz vintages. He sold his first wine in 1868.
The Henschke wine estate has continued to improve with each new generation. Here are some of the significant milestones:
- Paul Gotthard, the second-generation winemaker, bought a plot with small vine plantings near the Gnadenberg Church in 1891. This plot became the famous Hill of Grace vineyard.
Paul Alfred, Gotthard’s son, extended the underground cellar, installed brick and cement fermentation vats, and storage tanks in the winery.
- In 1950, Alfred’s son, Cyril Alfred started producing dry table wines and minimized the production of fortified wines (that were very popular at the time.)
He became the first person to make dry white varietals (like dry Semillon or Riesling wine) and recognized the quality of particular superior Eden Valley grapes (like Shiraz.)
He was also one of the first winemakers to produce single vineyard wines - Hill of Grace and Mount Edelestone.
- After Cyril, his son, Stephen Carl Henschke (the estate’s fifth-generation winemaker), took over the winery and made many significant upgrades to the winery. He focused on fruit quality and tannin maturity in the vineyard while using traditional winemaking techniques.
Today, Stephen and his wife Prue, along with their children Johann, Justine, and Andreas (sixth-generation winemakers), continue the legacy of their family.
Also read: Explore the Best Champagne Wine with this detailed article. Also, find The Perfect Champagne Glass to serve it.
Henschke: Regions And Vineyards
Henschke has its vineyards in the three key wine regions of Australia - Eden Valley, Barossa Valley, and Adelaide Hills.
Let’s take a quick look at these regions.
A. Eden Valley
Eden Valley is situated within the Barossa range in South Australia. The river valley is made of sandy loam soils, clay-weathered rock subsoils, schists, and sandstone bedrock.
Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc,
Nebbiolo, Tempranillo, Barbera, and Muscat Blanc grape varieties are grown in the Eden Valley vineyards.
Henschke has three fertile vineyards in Eden Valley.
1. Eden Valley Vineyard
The Eden Valley vineyard enjoys the cool climate of Mount Lofty Ranges and well-drained sandy loam soils.
The notable wines produced from this vineyard are:
- Keyneton Euphonium
- The Rose Grower
- Julius
- Peggy’s Hill
- Joseph Hill
- Tilly’s Vineyard
- Cyril Henschke
2. Mount Edelstone Vineyard
The old vines of the Mount Edelstone vineyards are set up to give the leaves and fruits maximum sun exposure. It increases the concentration of the fruit, shortens the ripening period, and improves tannin maturity.
This vineyard is famous for its single vineyard Shiraz wine - Mount Edelstone.
3. Hill Of Grace Vineyard
An iconic Henschke vineyard, the Hill of Grace vineyard enjoys alluvial sandy loam soils with a clay subsoil.
This vineyard - all of 8 hectares - produces three major wines:
- Hill of Peace
- Hill of Grace
- Hill of Roses
Also read: Looking for the perfect cocktail to serve to your guest? Check out these delicious Sangria and Mimosa recipes.
B. Barossa Valley
The warm climate of the Barossa Valley wine region helps in the early ripening of the grapes. It also has a wide variety of soils - grey and brown clay, red-brown earth, and yellow sands.
Because of the diversity of soils, Henschke’s Barossa Valley vineyard is planted with Grenache, Mataro, Semillon, and Shiraz grape varieties.
In Barossa Valley, Henschke only has one vineyard.
Mataro Mass Selection Block
The vineyard was purchased by Cyril Henschke in 1974, and Prue Henschke selected this plot for a comparative analysis of Mataro.
Johann’s Garden, an iconic red, is produced from the fruit of this vineyard.
Another famous Henschke Barossa wine is ‘Henry’s seven’ made from a blend of Shiraz, Grenache, Viognier, and Mourvedre grapes.
C. Adelaide Hills
The Adelaide Hills wine region enjoys a cool and sunny climate with moderate humidity. The soils are well-drained, sandy loam with weathered schists, sandstone, and podzols.
The grape varieties grown in Henschke’s Adelaide Hills vineyards are Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Henschke family has two main vineyards in Adelaide Hills.
1. Littlehampton Innes Vineyard
Located in the east of Adelaide Hills, this vineyard is mostly known for its Pinot Gris wines that can age for over a decade.
2. Lenswood Vineyard
This was an apple orchard that was converted into a vineyard after the Ash Wednesday bushfires.
Today, the grapes from this 13-hectare property are used in the production of eight delicious wines:
- Green’s Hill
- Archer’s Vineyard
- Coralinga
- Croft
- Giles
- The Alan
- Johanne Ida Selma Blancde Noir MD
- Abbotts Prayer
Also read: Interested in white wine? Discover the Intense Sauvignon Blanc and Delectable Riesling wine.
Henschke Viticulture And Winemaking
The Henschke family vineyards are managed by Prue Henschke, who is the head viticulturist of the wine estate.
Here are some of the major viticulture practices used:
- The vineyards are managed according to moon cycles, where special attention is given to the waxing and waning moon.
Prue and Stephen Henschke practice traditional winemaking techniques with minimal tampering of the vines. It helps the vine produce well-balanced fruits.
- To promote soil health, viticulturist Prue Henschke uses their own compost instead of the harmful chemical fertilizers and herbicides. Each vineyard is farmed using biodynamic and sustainable practices to ensure soil health and vine growth.
Similar to their viticultural practices, sustainability is also practiced in their winery during wine production.
The Henschke family uses traditional equipment like old wooden barrels, fortified wine casks, and concrete tanks for their winemaking practices.
The traditional winemaking techniques are aided with minimal modern equipment to give the wine more structure and balance its flavors. Red wines are aged in new and old oak barrels, while the whites are matured in stainless steel tanks.
Also read: Discover the secret behind the delicious flavors of Chianti Wine.
Now, sit back and relax with a Kir Royale or a Champagne cocktail while we show you which Henschke bottles to buy!
Best Henschke Wines In 2024 (Including Tasting Notes, Prices)
Here are some of our favorite Henschke wines to buy in 2024. (You could even gift some of these to your wine lover friends!)
1. 1996 Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz
With its explosion of intense aromas and delicious flavors, the 1996 Henschke Hill of Grace is the perfect Shiraz for red wine lovers.
The nose of this single vineyard wine gives off sweet tobacco, ripe dark and candied fruit, and mint aromas. The palate is complex with tobacco, spices, fresh red fruit, candied and fresh dark fruit, and cola notes.
Price of 1996 Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz: $710
2. 2012 Henschke Hill of Roses Shiraz
A very elegant and terroir-driven wine, the 2012 Henschke Hill of Roses is full of fruit flavors.
The nose has a spicy kick, while the palate is dominated by blackberry and plum flavors. You also get subtle notes of black pepper and crushed sage on the palate.
Price of 2012 Henschke Hill of Roses Shiraz: $345
Also read: Discover the beautiful wines from the Chateauneuf-du-Pape Wine Region.
3. 2003 Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz
The 2003 Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz’s nose gives off layered notes of herbs, spice, blueberries, and stone fruit with a touch of cedar. The palate of this single-vineyard wine is creamy with dusty tannins and a long finish.
Price of 2003 Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz: $265
4. 2008 Henschke 'Cyril Henschke' Cabernet Sauvignon
The nose opens to blackcurrant, cassis, and plum aromas with hints of menthol. The palate is chewy with supple tannins and a rounded mouthfeel.
Price of 2008 Henschke 'Cyril Henschke' Cabernet Sauvignon: $279
5. 2015 Henschke The Wheelwright Shiraz
In the glass, this red wine has a dark ruby color with subtle violet hues.
The nose is aromatic sage, plum, almond, pepper, and rosemary notes. The palate has elegant tannins, medium acidity, and ripe fruit flavors.
Price of 2015 Henschke The Wheelwright Shiraz: $100
Also read: Find out the most Delicious Rose Wines for your lively brunch and your cellar!
6. 1999 Henschke Lenswood Abbotts Prayer Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon
The 1999 Henschke Lenswood Abbotts Prayer has violet, mulberry, and blueberry aromas with hints of cassis. The palate is intense and complex with ripe fruit flavors.
Price of 1999 Henschke Lenswood Abbotts Prayer Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon: $25
7. 2015 Henschke Tappa Pass Shiraz
This Australian wine displays a deep crimson color with purple hues.
The nose is complex with red plum skin, blueberry coulis, and ripe mulberry aromas. On the palate, you get sweet mulberry, blueberry, and spiced plum flavors that are balanced by refreshing acidity.
Price of 2015 Henschke Tappa Pass Shiraz: $96
8. 2013 Henschke Lenswood The Alan Reserve Pinot Noir
This red wine from Australia has spicy fruit aromas of black cherry, red currant, forest fruits, and raspberry. The wine has a deep and brooding palate with complex herbal notes and velvety tannins.
Price of 2013 Henschke Lenswood The Alan Reserve Pinot Noir: $85
9. 2004 Henschke Keyneton Estate Red Blend
The nose of the 2004 Henschke Keyneton Estate Red Blend has primary black fruit flavors with subtle hints of charred wood and smoke. The dry palate has medium acidity and tannins.
Price of 2004 Henschke Keyneton Estate Red Blend: $127
10. 2010 Henschke Keyneton 'Euphonium' Red Blend
A blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, this Australian wine displays a deep garnet color in the glass.
The nose reveals dark forest fruits, plums, dried herbs notes with hints of anise, cassis, and cedar. The palate is concentrated with a medium to full-bodied and crisp acidity.
Price of 2010 Henschke Keyneton 'Euphonium' Red Blend: $105
Should You Invest In Henschke Wines?
These exceptional Australian red wines can stay in the cellar for anywhere between 10-30 years. Some of their top wines like Hill of Grace, Hill of Roses, and Abbotts Prayer can age for much longer.
Henschke wines also consistently get 90+ scores by wine critics like James Suckling. So no wonder these sought-after wines command high prices.
The Hill of Grace wine is one of the highest-priced Australian wines and shows consistent price appreciation through the years. The 2015 vintage, for example, went from $518 to $617 in a span of nine months (May 2020-Jan 2021.)
The 2014 Hill of Grace went up from $597 to $700 in a year (Jan 2020-Jan 2021.)
But how do you buy the best Henschke wines without encountering a counterfeit one or having to ship and store them yourself?
Your best bet would be to buy your wine through a trusted wine investment company like Vinovest.
Buy Fine Henschke And Other Collectible Wines Through Vinovest
Vinovest is a leading wine investment firm that helps you buy, store, and sell authenticated bottles of wine from around the world.
Here’s how it works.
How Does It Work?
Follow these four easy steps and start your wine investment journey with Vinovest.
- Sign up
- Fill a quick questionnaire to share your risk appetite and investment preferences.
- Add a minimum of $1,000 to your account.
- Start building your wine portfolio!
Benefits
Let’s look at some reasons why Vinovest is an excellent choice.
1. Easy Buy And Sell
Vinovest is an AI-driven platform that makes buying and selling wines super easy! So you can buy your wine while sipping your delicious Pinot Blanc.
2. Best Prices
Vinovest buys your wine directly from wineries, global wine exchanges, and wine auctions, ensuring you get the best price for your Chateau Lafite and every other bottle of wine.
3. Team Of Expert Advisors
A team of Master Sommeliers and an advanced sommelier works with you on your wine portfolio to make sure the right bottle enters your portfolio.
4. Access To A Deep Wine Network
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5. Optimal Storage
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Decided to pop your bottle open for your anniversary? Or found the right buyer?
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7. Provenance And Authenticity
Vinovest ensures the provenance of every bottle of wine you buy through them.
8. Ownership
You own every bottle of wine you buy through Vinovest!
Add A Valuable Henschke to Your Wine Collection
With their brilliant winemaking techniques, the Henschke family produces some of the most age-worthy, exceptional wines in the world.
If you’re looking to invest long-term in some of the world’s greatest wines, then your best option is to use an intelligent platform like Vinovest.
Sign up with Vinovest and find the best wine for your wine collection now!
