Bethany First Village Shiraz 2021

The cycle of life in the Barossa vines has been turning for over 150 years, since the Schrapel family planted their first vineyards in 1852. The family arrived in South Australia from Silesia and made their home in Bethany, the Barossa Valley’s first settlement. Today, with Bethany Wines being run by fifth and sixth generations of the same Schrapel family, the vines life cycle continues in much the same way as it always has, with minimal intervention from others so they can produce the best possible grapes and wines.

Sourced from some of the finest parcels within the Bethany vineyards, this Shiraz displays all the qualities of fine Barossa Valley Shiraz from an exceptional vintage. A nose of dark, brooding black fruits is shot through with subtly spiced oak and earthy complexity. The palate is rich and ripe with dark fruits perfectly framed by long velvet tannins that carry through to a balanced and elegant finish.

Shiraz is of course an exceptional variety for the Barossa Valley and 2017 provided wonderful conditions to allow the variety to shine. Dry conditions throughout the growing season kept vigour under control and the good warmth but lack of heatwaves allowed Shiraz to fully ripen under minimal stress.

Parcels of fruit were harvested and fermented separately prior to being put to oak hogsheads for maturation. The final blend was composed out of barrel with the wine then given time in stainless steel to come together prior to bottling.