Welcome to the May edition of Instinctively Curious, the Two Hands Wines monthly newsletter. Read on for updates on what is happening out in the vineyard and around the winery, event updates and more!
IN THE WINERY
2024 HARVEST REPORT
The 2024 vintage had a cool and elongated start with below normal temperatures before Christmas, this coupled with some decent spring rainfall allowed for an even growing season pre-veraison. This lead to an even fruit set with well-formed bunches. Harvest commenced on the 4th of March, picking a small parcel of Grenache, the sole component of the Trusty Rusty Rose, followed shortly after by our Eden Valley Riesling for The Boy. As vintage commenced the weather heated up, ripening the Shiraz first, followed by the Cabernet, Grenache and Mataro late in the season.
The heat during early March lent intensity and power to key blocks across our Holy Grail Vineyard, the standout block being the Mugneret-Gilbourg.
The ‘M.G’ was the blind pick for both Richard and I, jumping out the glass with concentrated dark fruits, cocoa, and intense palate weight.
McLaren Vale ripened seemingly all at once, filling all the fermenter space in the winery within the space of a few days due to the warmer overnight temperatures. The cooler conditions in April extended the picking times for our Eden Valley parcels, with our final pick on the 29th of April. This enabled these parcels to produced more lifted aromatics, with the common denominator being boysenberry and rose petals.
Richard and I are both excited about the high level of quality seen across all our parcels from V24, it’s an exciting year to make Shiraz.
Cheers!
Jett de Ruiter
Assistant Winemaker
IN THE VINEYARD
AUTUMN HAS ARRIVED
As the vines across our estate vineyards move in to their dormant winter cycle this is a great time to begin looking ahead to the next season. In line with our sustainable viticulture practices, Alex & John have been on the tractor this week laying fresh straw mulch under the vines to help lock in the moisture from the coming winter rain. Coupled with our SapFlow technology this important practice helps to further reduce our water usage. They are also busy preparing and spreading compost and completing important ongoing trellis maintenance before pruning begins. Work in the vineyard never stops!
NEW VINTAGE RELEASES
THE PICTURE SERIES
2023 SEXY BEAST & 2023 YESTERDAY’S HERO
We have two new vintages recently released from our Picture Series, available now both online and at our Marananga cellar door tasting room.
2023 Sexy Beast McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon
This wine starts out with a nice core of dark berry fruits that draw late into the palate. When the tannins take over they are broad in appeal, with loads of cassis and black fruit flavours. Red and black currants, floral and incense detail gives the palate lots of pop and energy.
2023 Yesterday’s Hero McLaren Vale Grenache
Soft on the entry, but the red fruits juiciness builds through your palate, supported by spice and clove notes. This light-medium bodied Grenache is very vibrant with great juicy length underpinned by fine savoury talcy tannins.
ORDER NEW RELEASES!
MUSEUM RELEASE
SINGLE VINEYARD SERIES
ZIPPY’S BLOCK
Sourced from a vineyard on Roennfeldt Road in the western Barossa Valley. An exceptional example of regional and varietal definition which contributes to the complexity and personality of the finished wine. A very obvious inky nose of blueberries, minerals, coal and dark chocolate, backed by secondary notes of daffodil and Asian spices with a thread of mint.
After our recent email, the 2005 & 2008 has all sold out & with limited quantities still available of this 2007 release, it will not last long.
EVENTS
CANBERRA & MELBOURNE
For all of our Canberra and Melbourne members, we will be in your cities during the 2nd half of May. We are hosting members only dinners in both Canberra and Melbourne but unfortunately these are now both sold out. If you are interested in attending our next dinner please email DTC Manager Luke to express interest.
Luke will be representing Two Hands at the Canberra Taste Festival from Friday May 24th-Sun 26th at Canberra Casino. You can still get tickets HERE for each of the four sessions.
If you are in Melbourne, Cellar Door Supervisor Rachel will be joining Luke at the Good Food and Wine Show, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from Friday May 31st-Sunday June 2nd. You can find us in the Barossa Pavilion at stand BV9, come and say hi and taste some of your favourite THW wines! Tickets are available HERE.
WINE CLUB
2021 FLAGSHIP RELEASE
Reminder to existing Flagship Series members that your wines are released this May.
This years’ pack features a new variety, the Adrestia is now a Chardonnay! We have been making the Hell Freezes Over Chardonnay since 2016 and in 2021 we were lucky enough to get some really exceptional Chardonnay fruit that we believed deserved to be featured in our Flagship Series.
Whilst many members may be sad to see the previous Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blend go, we are sure you will enjoy this new addition to the series.
Flagship Wine Club Pack contains:
3 x 2021 Ares Shiraz
1 x 2021 Aerope Grenache
1 x 2021 Aphrodite Cabernet Sauvignon
1 x 2021 Adrestia Chardonnay
Want to join our Wine Club to gain access to events, discounts, exclusive access to the Two Hands museum collection, and pre-releases? Contact us below to join the 2021 Flagship Series.
JOIN WINE CLUB CONTACT US
Morgan is a country SA native, growing up in the spectacular Flinders Ranges. She’s studied Media and Communications with a specialisation in travel and tourism. She is our resident green thumb and specialist in succulents having a large collection that almost equals her vast collection of 300+ vinyl records. Morgan is also an avid royal watcher and is an expert in all things QEII and wishes Cody Rhodes & Rhea Ripley were her neighbours. Morgan’s attention to detail and friendly and quirky personality keeps the Two Hands team always entertained and on our toes.
What brought you to the wine industry?
My passion for wine came from my family. I’ve been quite lucky that Mum, Dad and the Grandparentals have always exposed me to a huge range of wines growing up. I remember visits to many regions on holidays – in fact, my first Barossa Gourmet Weekend at St Hallet was when I was 4!
What is your favourite Two Hands moment so far?
Travelling around Australia for our events to showcase the wines in a different environment, and bring a touch of Barossa to your neighbourhood. Along with seeing familiar return customers back through Cellar Door & any roving celebs!
Favourite Two Hands Wine and why?
I have many depending on the day or budget, Secret Block would be at the top of the list if I had to choose just one. In saying that, I will never say no to a glass of Gnarly Dudes.
Any future favourite wines you’ve tasted in barrel?
2021 & 2022 Adrestia, Chardy is my absolute favourite varietal and our Flagship Series now having a Chardonnay in the list is most exciting!
