Could Cabernet Sauvignon be the future of the Barossa?
15 JUNE 2023 By Sarah Neish
While the Barossa Valley is world-famous for its Shiraz, a significant corner has been turned in the quality of the Cabernet coming out of this Australian region, finds "The Drinks Business".
The Barossa Valley represents a 10.5% slice of the nation’s vineyards, and nearly 4% of the crush, and is home to more than 170 wineries, many of which have made a name for themselves on the back of their spectacular Shiraz.
However, it’s another red variety from the region that is starting to cause a stir.
Kym Teusner, co-founder of Teusner Wines, points to Barossa Cabernet as being the one to watch, something he might not have said a decade ago.
“Cab was neglected in the Barossa for a long time. Producers did everything in their power for three or four decades to make Cabernet taste like Shiraz (blending the two varieties together was common practice). All they succeeded in doing was making a shit, dry red wine,” he tells the drinks business in an exclusive interview.
But now a new wave of winemakers are coming through with a real passion for Cabernet, which is giving rise to a unique style of single-varietal Cab coming from Barossa.
“The Barossa is shaping up to be a fabulous Cabernet region,” says Teusner, who details the difference between Cabernets made in the region’s cooler, higher-altitude Eden Valley; and the lower-lying, warmer Barossa Valley floor.
“The cooler Eden Valley produces Cabernet Sauvignon with clear varietal definition; think red peppers, hints of mint and eucalyptus, and herbal notes with fine tannin structure,” he says. “Whereas the Barossa Valley’s warmer conditions produce richer, more generous Cabs, showing blackcurrant, Mocha, tobacco, and cigar box.”
When grapes from these two sub-regions are combined, the resultant wine is one that is “consistently rich and soft – never with the big and sometimes aggressive tannins of Cabernet Sauvignons from other regions,” says Teusner. “They are medium-bodied but intensely flavoured, balanced and complex.”
Teusner is quick to point out this softness “does not detract from the wines’ ability to improve with cellar time. It simply makes them more approachable as younger wines.”
Barossa’s elegant style of Cabernet also ties in with a wider trend of more complex wines being made in the region.
“People are often expecting big, bulky, overbearing wines from the Barossa,” says Teusner. “But our focus has for some time been on making wines that are full of complexity and bright fruit. That’s much more important to us than weight and power.”
This year, especially, Eden Valley winemakers might be pushing its Cabernet forward more than usual in light of extremely low yields for its two flagship grape varieties in the 2023 harvest.
“Some varieties, particularly Riesling and Chardonnay in the Eden Valley have well below average yields this year, although stunning flavours and natural acidity,” Louisa Rose, chief winemaker at Yalumba, told the drinks business in a recent interview.
19/06/2023 at 1:02 PM
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Vine Vale Winemakers Shed Day
SAVE THE DATE - SUNDAY 8 OCTOBER
6 WINEMAKERS- 6 SHEDS - 1 ROAD - 1 DAY ONLY
On Sunday 8th of October, the collective of small family winemakers from the sub-region of Vine Vale, will shed their winemaking secrets to lovers of estate grown Barossan wine.
Without permanent cellar door facilities these little gems are hard to find, crafting their wine from their family vineyards, from grape to glass!
For one day only you’re invited into the private sheds of the Vine Vale Winemakers, located on Light Pass Road, via an exclusive wine shed trail.
Tim Smith Wines, 996 Light Pass Road
Hart of the Barossa, 931 Light Pass Road
Heidenreich Estate, 872 Light Pass Road
Steinborner & Reynolds Family Vineyards, Corner Light Pass & Siegersdorf Roads
Kurtz Family Vineyards, 731 Light Pass Road
Cirillo Estate Wines, Corner Light Pass & Nuraip Road
The trail order is optional, so you can visit any or all of the 6 winemakers at your leisure.
Each of the six small producers will offer a unique wine tasting experience for visitors. An array of varieties and vintages will be showcased, reflecting their vineyards, varieties and distinctive winemaking styles.
We'll be offering delicious Flammkuechen (German Style Pizza) Savoury & Sweet do pair with our wines and live music by locals Leon & Daryl.
Don’t miss this rare wine tasting affair!
All wine lovers welcome, group bookings required.
08/05/2023 at 3:19 PM
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A RED IN THE SHED & GOURMET PIE DAY
WE'LL BAKE YOUR DAY ON SUNDAY 13 JUNE - 11 TIL 4
Can we tempt you with a day trip to the Barossa June long weekend, for the hart-iest red wine and gourmet pies in town?
We’re launching our new vintage red wines and we’ll be pairing them with delicious gourmet pies created by Stuart Oldfield and some toe tapping tunes by locals Leon & Daryl.
Choice of pies including a slow cooked Beef Cheek & Red Wine OR hearty Seasonal Vegetable!
Book a ticket so you don't miss out on your pie & a glass of wine!
25/05/2021 at 12:07 PM
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TOP ORGANIC WINES BAROSSA VALLEY
Hart of the Barossa organic wines "distinct sense of place"
The Weekender, By Jacqueline Alanne
11/05/2021 at 1:24 PM
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THE TASTING SHED RE-OPENS THIS WEEKEND
From 1 June, The Tasting Shed will re-open every Friday & Saturday for our farm-gate grape to glass wine tasting experience from 11 til 4.
PLEASE NOTE: max 16 wine lovers inside and 10 aflresco, you may wish to book ahead.
We can't wait to welcome back our wine loving friends.
02/06/2020 at 10:24 AM
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HOLY SMOKE – NEW VINTAGE REDS!
Sunday 3 May 11 til 4
Join us for a red in the shed to celebrate the end of vintage and the launch of our new release red wines!
Local Barossan Chef Paul Howard will be ‘firing up’ his smoker to keep our wine loving friends fed with mouth-watering pulled pork and apple slaw burgers; pulled beef brisket and slaw burgers and smoked vegetable burgers with homecooked fries.
Local muso's Leon & Thommo will provide a few tunes, so you can sit back and relax with family and friends!
Mark the calendar so you don't miss our ONCE A YEAR wine release event!
20/02/2020 at 10:43 AM
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VINE VALE WINEMAKERS SHED DAY - 13 OCT
On Sunday 13th of October, a collective of small family winemakers, from the sub-region of Vine Vale, will shed their winemaking secrets to lovers of estate grown Barossan wine.
Without permanent cellar door facilities, these little gems are hard to find, crafting their wine from their family vineyards, from grape to glass!
For one day only, you’re invited into the private sheds of the Vine Vale winemakers located on Light Pass Road via an exclusive wine shed trail.
Tim Smith Wines, 996 Light Pass Road
Hart of the Barossa, Corner Light Pass & Vine Vale Roads
Heidenreich Estate, 872 Light Pass Road
Kurtz Family Vineyards, 731 Light Pass Road
Steinborner Family Vineyards, Corner Light Pass & Seigersdorf Roads
Cirillo Estate Wines, Corner Light Pass & Nuraip Roads
Each of the six small producers will offer a unique wine tasting experience for visitors. An array of varieties and vintages will be showcased in the sheds of the winemakers, reflecting their authentic patch of dirt in the Barossa and distinctive winemaking style.
Hart of the Barossa will be pairing their wine with amazing wood fired pizza from their friends at Harborganics, plus live entertainment!
Don’t miss this rare wine tasting affair!
All wine lovers welcome, group bookings required.
02/09/2019 at 8:43 PM
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RED WINE LAUNCH FAMIGLIA DINNER @ PRANZO
CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
03/07/2019 at 4:26 PM
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A GREAT DAY IN THE SHED!
Cheers to all of our wine loving friends who ate, drank and were merry @ the Vine Vale Winemakers Shed Day. See you same time next year!
16/10/2018 at 5:13 PM
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VINE VALE WINEMAKERS SHED DAY
5 SHEDS, 5 WINEMAKERS, 1 ROAD, 1 DAY ONLY
On Sunday 7th of October, Hart of the Barossa and a few of our winegrowing neighbours in the in the sub-region of Vine Vale, will open our private sheds to lovers of estate grown Barossan wine via an exclusive wine shed trail.
Tim Smith Wines, 996 Light Pass Road
Hart of the Barossa, Corner Light Pass & Vine Vale Roads
Heidenreich Estate, 872 Light Pass Road
Kurtz Family Vineyards, 731 Light Pass Road
Cirillo Estate Wines, Corner Light Pass & Nuraip Road
Each of the five small producers will offer a unique wine tasting experience for visitors. An array of varieties and vintages will be showcased in the sheds of the winemakers, reflecting their authentic patch of dirt in the Barossa and distinctive winemaking style.
Hart of the Barossa will be pairing our wine with live music and beautiful organic wood fired pizza, from our friends at Harborganics.
Complimentary transport between venues by Barossa Carriages.
Don’t miss this rare wine tasting affair!
29/09/2018 at 7:08 PM
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