Eden Valley Vineyard

Cyril Henschke purchased the Eden Valley property in 1966, and established a large planting of predominantly riesling and shiraz at a time when riesling was scarce and bonuses were being paid by the large wineries. Today the riesling is the source of the Julius Eden Valley Riesling, named in honour of Stephen's great-uncle Julius Henschke, a highly acclaimed artist and sculptor, while the shiraz is the centre-point of the Keyneton Euphonium blend. 

1877

The Origin

Pioneer Charles Crane, after whom the village of Craneford is named, established the region on a tributary at the source of the North Para River near Eden Valley. In 1877 George Crossman Thyer purchased a nearby property at the top of the range overlooking the valley, from a tract of land granted to George Fife Angas in 1856. This land was in the fertile area called Flaxmans Valley, named by German geologist Johann Menge in 1839. After Thyer’s death it was transferred in 1912 to Joseph Hill Thyer, who pioneered the first vines on this property.

1966

Cyril’s Vision

Cyril Henschke purchased the property from Josephs’ son Kenneth Crossman Thyer, and established a large planting of predominantly riesling and shiraz at a time when riesling was scarce and bonuses were being paid by the large wineries. Today the riesling is the source of the Julius Eden Valley Riesling, named in honour of Stephen’s great-uncle Julius Henschke, a highly acclaimed artist and sculptor, while the shiraz is the centre-point of the Keyneton Euphonium blend. This wine is named after the early English pioneer Joseph Keynes who settled at Keyneton in 1842 and after whom the village was named.

1978

Cabernet Sauvignon

Other plantings subsequently took place. The cabernet sauvignon is the source of the Cyril Henschke, the wine made to honour the fourth-generation winemaker, one of Australia’s outstanding pioneers in the production of varietal table wines. The 1983 Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon won the Tucker Seabrook Trophy judged as the best Cabernet in all national wine shows.

1995

Alternate Varieties

Prue and Stephen Henschke purchased two properties that bordered the Eden Valley Vineyard: Roesler’s dairy in 1995, to trial newly introduced varieties to Australia: tempranillo, graciano, nebbiolo and barbera; and the Crane family’s vineyard in 1996, which they planted with riesling, chardonnay and shiraz.

Eden Valley Vineyard Today

The Henschke Eden Valley Vineyard is located in the cooler part of the Mount Lofty Ranges, in the central Eden Valley, just east above the Barossa Valley. Vines planted here are on their own roots and effectively dry-grown, although the soil moisture is monitored. In drier years, drip irrigation is used to keep the vines physiologically active. Vines are planted on a spacing of 3.4m between rows and 2m between vines and yield an average of 5 t/ha.

A number of trellis types, ranging from single wire to VSP and Scott Henry, are used. There is ongoing research on canopy management and trellis style. A clonal research trial for semillon, including old and new clones, is being run, and Eutypa control trials on shiraz are being conducted to help discover ways of improving the longevity of old vines.

The Eden Valley vineyard is on a range of well-drained duplex soils that includes sandy loam over gravel and bedrock, patches of clay, and sandy loam over clay. This vineyard is also managed using organic and biodynamic practices.

Wines crafted from the site include prized Eden Valley varieties, such as the Julius Riesling, Louis Semillon, The Wheelwright Shiraz, and Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon.

Since 2010 Stephen and Prue have also added Stone Jar Tempranillo and The Rose Grower Nebbiolo to their Eden Valley portfolio.

THE LOCATION

Eden Valley wine region, on Cranes Range Road, 2km west of Eden Valley, high up in the Mount Lofty ranges east of the Barossa Valley, South Australia.

THE VINES

Riesling, shiraz, semillon, cabernet sauvignon, gewürztraminer, cabernet franc, merlot, viognier. Oldest vines planted in 1968 by Cyril Henschke. New varieties planted in 1995: tempranillo, graciano, nebbiolo, barbera. New varieties planted in 1996: riesling, chardonnay, shiraz.

THE SOILS

Sandy loam over gravel and bedrock, with patches of clay.

TECHNICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL

Trellis: Two Wire Vertical, Vertical Shoot Positioned, Scott Henry
Planting: 2m x 3.4m. (cabernet sauvignon is sited on a north facing slope - generates 'solar panel' effect)
Treatments undervine: mulching and permanent sward, incorporating organic and biodynamic practices
Maintenance quality: variation in site, variety and trellis gives us many combinations to enhance quality. Trials on canopy management and trellis style, old and new semillon clones and eutypa control
Rainfall: 700mm
Altitude: 500m
Latitude: 34° 38'
Longitude: 139° 05'
Aspect: North through west to south
Size: 32ha (80 acres)

VARIETIES

Semillon, riesling, gewürztraminer, viognier, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, nebbiolo, tempranillo, barbera, graciano and muscat blanc.

From Eden Valley Vineyard

2023 Julius
2023 Julius
Eden Valley
Riesling
$52.00
$52.00
$52.00
$52.00
PURCHASE
2023 Louis
2023 Louis
Eden Valley
Semillon
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00
PURCHASE
2019 The Wheelwright
2019 The Wheelwright
Eden Valley
Shiraz
$155.00
$155.00
$155.00
$155.00
PURCHASE
HILL OF GRACE
MOUNT EDELSTONE
EDEN VALLEY