Welcome to the October edition of Instinctively Curious, the Two Hands monthly newsletter. In this issue, we’ll share the latest updates from our Holy Grail vineyard, and provide a sneak peek into the latest releases and events. So, grab a glass, pour your favourite Two Hands wine, Cheers! 🍷
A DOUBLE DOSE OF RUSTY NEWS!
RUSTY & TRUSTY RUSTY
2023 ROSÉ & A BABY FLUFFY COO
Our 2023 Trusty Rusty rose, has been officially released in to the cellar door and online, and it looks fantastic.
Trusty Rusty Rosé is extremely pale in colour, however in flavour it is bright & energetic. Wait for the sun to come out and then rip the lid off. It’s delicious.
When Michael started the process of narrowing down potential names for this wine upon its first release in 2015, he was looking for a nick name for a red head when Trusty Rusty popped up. Simply down to his love for a really good rosé but not liking or enjoy the sweeter bubblegum pink more commercial styles that have been the order of the day. Our ‘Trusty’ has a pretty orange toned ‘Rust’ hue and showcases dryer style that we like and believe in. “It usually sells out pretty quick and that is fine, as my fridge is full at that point”. – MT
In other news, we are very happy to announce the arrival of the latest member of our clan of Scottish Highlanders with the birth of our new calf that MT has named Rusty. I think we can all agree he is gorgeous. As he grows up, this little calf will help contribute to our sustainability throughout the vineyard, along with his remaining clan of family members.
VOTE FOR CLEMENTINE!
In other bovine news, our in-house content creator Brad has had one of his photos of Rusty’s Mum Clementine shortlisted for the 2024 calendar from the Australian Highland Cattle Society.
It would be amazing to see a member of our wonderful clan make the calendar and you can help us achieve that.
See the images up for selection and place your vote for image 25 here: 2024 AHCS Calendar Competition Voting Form.
VINEYARD UPDATE
SPRING TIME SUNSHINE
HOLY GRAIL VINEYARD
The sun is shining at the moment as we enjoy a short spell of warmer weather. It’s not just great weather to enjoy a glass of Trusty Rusty but also an important part of the growing season in our vineyards. As we enter the crucial pre-flowering stage, technically known as E-L 16 (the Eichhorn-Lorenz “E-L” system is a standardised way to describe phenological growth stages of grapevines). The vines need the warmth to build energy for flowering in a few weeks time.
Our Viticulture Manager Peter is busy monitoring shoot growth and where each block is currently at in the development cycle along with keeping a close eye on the weather to ensure the vines get enough water to keep them healthy.
Our Shiraz and Grenache are about 3 weeks away from flowering, so water management is extremely important at this stage. Grenache can be a fickle variety and fruit-set is a very important determination of the season ahead.
A great way to get out into our vineyards and experience the real nitty gritty of grape growing and winemaking is to join one of our unique Vineyard Experiences. A true journey from grape to glass, these tours take you from the cellar door out into our vineyards where you will learn about the wine you are drinking and even taste the wine in the vineyard it is made from! For more information and to book your preferred experience please click HERE.
SAVE THE DATES
BRUTUS EVENTS
AT OUR CELLAR DOOR, MARANANGA
Brutus Bar is back!
Back in August we announced that our wine bar Brutus will be re-opening for the summer season. The Brutus wine bar is open Friday – Sunday 12pm-5pm each weekend throughout summer. Enjoy a selection of wines by the glass or bottle and a tasty cheese plate in our beautiful courtyard and lawn area. We also have a curated list of premium international wines available by the bottle, including half bottles of Louis Roederer. You can book your table HERE.
We will be hosting Brutus pop up events at our Cellar Door lawns on the 3rd week of the month throughout Summer. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy a lazy Saturday afternoon with our amazing food truck co-hosts! LEARN MORE HERE
18th November 2023
20th January 2024 – with Baltic Fine Foods
17th February 2024 – with Signor Arrosticini
16th March 2024 – with The Pasta Guy
NEW RELEASES
SPIRIT OF PLACE
EBENEZER, BAROSSA VALLEY SHIRAZ
This month we also saw the release of the newest addition to the Two Hands portfolio, the 2021 Spirit of Place Shiraz. Sourced from a single vineyard designated as Centenarian under the Barossa Old Vine Charter, which are vines greater than one hundred years of age. Planted in 1918 in the northern sub-region of Ebenezer the label depicts the wonderful old vines we sourced the fruit from.
Available now, this wine will age gracefully in your cellar for many years to come and is an outstanding addition to your Two Hands Wines collection.
Luke is originally from Tassie and began his journey in the wine industry with Moorilla Estate in 1997. He lived and worked in Japan for about 3 years before coming back to Aus and moving to Barossa in 2005 with Rockford Wines after completing Bachelor Wine Marketing. He is father of two teenage daughters who he claims are much smarter than him and husband to a patient wife. He spend his weekends playing guitar and listening to loud, heavy music. With his best memory, hanging out with Metallica and giving them some great Barossa wine, of course.
