Château Tanunda is preparing to unveil its 2024 Collection in mid-July, featuring superb wines made from some of the world’s oldest vines.
The collection features limited-release wines that showcase Château Tanunda’s dedication to the old vine treasures of the Barossa, which is home to some of the oldest continuously producing vineyards anywhere in the world.
‘’I’m incredibly proud to present this year’s Collection release,” said Château Tanunda Managing Director Michelle Geber.
“These wines are a testament to the lifelong dedication of my family, particularly my father, who has poured his heart into rebuilding the Château and shaping it into the Australian wine icon it is today.
“The wines featured in this year’s Collection are truly exceptional and I am thrilled to introduce for the first time our 150 Years Old Grenache, a wine of remarkable distinction that perfectly embodies our heritage and commitment to excellence.
“These rare, collectible wines are highly sought after from vineyards that have been continually producing exceptional wines for 50, 100 and 150 years. They are allowed to express their individual characters through our gentle and minimalistic winemaking approach when it comes to these parcels. It’s truly special to be able to showcase the story of these vines and their individual characters and complexities in the 2024 Collection, one of our finest yet.”
This year’s Collection features new vintage releases across Château Tanunda’s luxury ranges, including The Château Single Vineyard wines, Terroirs of the Barossa, Old Vine Expressions and the flagship: The Everest Shiraz. There are 12 wines in this year’s release, spanning five vintages ranging from 2019 to 2023.
The Everest Shiraz 2020 is regarded as the pinnacle of Château Tanunda’s 2024 Collection, representing the
ultimate that Barossa Shiraz can achieve. Only ultra-quality grapes from individual vineyard blocks are selected and handpicked.
Despite weather challenges, the quality of wines from the 2020 vintage is high according to Senior Winemaker Jeremy Ottawa.
Also shining within the Collection is Château Tanunda’s Old Vine Expressions range. This year’s selection of Old Vine Expressions wines include the 50 Year Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 and the 50 Year Old Vines Shiraz 2021; the remarkable 100 Year Old Vines Semillon 2023 and the 100 Year Old Vines Shiraz 2020; as well as the 150 Year Old Vines Grenache 2019.
“Fruit for our 150 Year Old Vines Grenache comes from the Stonegarden Vineyard in the Eden Valley. These vineyards were planted in 1858 and are the Noah’s ark of vineyard plantings in Australia,” Château Tanunda Chief Winemaker Neville
Rowe said.
“It truly is one of the most unique single vineyard sites in the world, with the wines presenting a powerful sense of history and place.”
Drinks Digest sampled the collection at a preview tasting at Luna Lu, footsteps from the winemaker’s popular Sydney Cellar Door in The Rocks.
The tasting was as sensational as it was storied. It was fascinating to hear Geber discuss her father stumbling across the vineyard’s Chateau on a bicycle ride 25 years ago and deciding on the spot to buy and restore it to its former glory.
Tasting wines from some of the oldest vines in the world was an unforgettable experience and a reminder that Australia holds a remarkable place on the global stage.
Tanunda’s chateau was built in 1890 and won the World Intercolonial World Wine Competition in London just three years after its first vintage. In the 2000s its 100-Year-Old Vines Shiraz and 100-Year-Old Vines Grenache have both won “best in the world” awards at the International Wine and Spirits Competition, again in London, an incredible full-circle moment for the winery.
Château Tanunda’s 2024 Collection Release will be available from 14 July, Bastille Day, fitting for a Château. The wines will be available to purchase from Château Tanunda’s Barossa Valley and Sydney Cellar Doors, online from www.chateautanunda.com and select fine wine retailers.