June News 2026

Welcome to the June Edition of Instinctively Curious, the Two Hands Wines newsletter.

As the June long weekend slips behind us, the Barossa begins to settle into one of its quieter seasons. It is the time of year when the fire is lit at Cellar Door, Shiraz starts to feel like the obvious choice, and the vineyards take on their winter stillness. While things may appear quieter from the outside, there is still plenty happening.

IN THE VINEYARD

Across our vineyards, the shift into dormancy is underway. The autumn leaves have changed colour to their vibrant orange and yellows, softened and are falling, beginning to leave the vine rows bare.While the vineyard may look quiet at this time of year, this period is incredibly important for the health of the vine and the quality of the season ahead. During dormancy, the vine is not actively growing above ground. Instead, it is conserving energy and storing carbohydrates in the trunk, cordons and roots. These reserves will be drawn on when the vine wakes again in spring and begins pushing new shoots. A strong dormancy period, supported by healthy soils and good vineyard management, helps set the foundations for balanced growth, strong canopy development and even fruit ripening in the next vintage.

With the leaves gone, the structure of each vine is much easier to assess. This gives Peter & Lara a clear view of vine health, cane position, wood maturity and any areas that may need extra attention before pruning begins.Soil care is also a major focus at this time of year. After the demands of harvest, building and preserving soil health becomes essential. Winter rain helps recharge the soil profile, while composting, mulch spreading and cover crop management all play their part in supporting the vineyard through the cooler months.

These practices help encourage biological activity in the soil, protect against erosion, retain moisture and give the vines the best chance to move into spring with balance and strength. In a vineyard like Holy Grail, where each block is managed with precision, winter gives the team time to prepare for the next growing season.

IN THE WINERY

This is the time of year when the team begins the detailed post-vintage work that helps shape each parcel and guide it toward its eventual home within the Two Hands portfolio.

Once MLF (secondary fermentation) is complete, the winery team begins the careful process of racking and returning. This involves moving wine out of barrel or tank, separating it from the heavier solids and lees that have settled at the bottom, and then returning the clarified wine to barrel for maturation. It is a practical but very important step, helping to refine tannin, preserve freshness and keep each parcel clean and expressive as it continues to develop. The aim is always to guide the wine without stripping away its character.Barrel work is also a constant focus through winter. Each barrel needs to be monitored, topped and tasted, ensuring the wine remains protected and continues to evolve in the right direction. The choice of oak, the age of the barrel and the character of each individual parcel all play a role in how the wine develops over the coming months.

At Two Hands, this is where detail really matters. A single vineyard parcel from Holy Grail, Coach House or Yacca Block may all be Shiraz, but each one speaks differently in barrel and needs to be handled accordingly. Richard and the winemaking team will also begin forming early impressions of the vintage. Over time, through repeated tasting and classification, these wines will be guided into Picture Series, Garden Series, Single Vineyard Series or, in the rarest cases, Flagship consideration.

IN CELLAR DOOR

With winter settling into the Barossa, it is the perfect time to slow down in Marananga and experience a different side of Two Hands. Our new winter experience combines a guided stroll along the Kraehe Nature Trail with a seated tasting back at Cellar Door with the reserved table next to the fireplace. It is a relaxed way to explore the estate, hear more about our vineyard, our history and the land around us. Of course, if you would simply like to join us for a winter tasting by the fire, we would love to see you. Bookings are recommended, particularly over weekends, as our cosy Cellar Door fills quickly once the colder weather arrives

EVENTS

WIN A TRIP TO THE BAROSSA
Meat & Wine Co Experience

If you missed it, we currently have a very special competition running with our friends at The Meat & Wine Co, giving one lucky winner the chance to enjoy the ultimate Barossa escape valued at $6,000. The prize includes, a private tour, two nights’ accommodation at Kingsford The Barossa, and a premium dinner for two at Vintners Restaurant, with domestic flights, car hire and transfers also included. To enter, simply follow Two Hands Wines and The Meat & Wine Co on Instagram, then complete the entry form via their link in bio. Good luck!

CUSTOMER STORIES

Derek and Brandy
We met when we were living in Seattle—I’m from California and Brandy’s from Connecticut on the east coast of the USA, so trying to find a good place to get married would have made it difficult for one side of the family or the other side. So we said, ‘screw it – lets ditch everyone and just get married on the other side of the world!’

My wife and I were married on 2^nd of January 2009 on Whitehaven Beach near Hamilton Island and basically our honeymoon was touring Australia (then 10 days in Bora Bora). When we arrived to the Barossa Valley, we were on a private, guided tour wine tour and the Two Hands cellar door was one of the stops. We enjoyed tasting the wine, and much to our surprise, the staff said that we had a gift from our Seattle friends Tina and Eric—a bottle of 2006 Two Hands Shiraz 'Coach House Block' Single Vineyard Seppeltsfield Road, Greenock (drank on Christmas Eve 2019) and this Zippy’s Block. It was a lovely gift!When we moved to London in 2011, I put our wine collection in offsite storage in Seattle and have been gradually bringing over bottles to London since then. (The offsite wine storage was perfect environment and is probably the reason it drank so well last night.)  We’re having a bit of a heat wave in London now, so we thought it would be nice to have a Argentinean dinner similar to one of our favourite restaurants here in London. Filets, chorizo, black pudding, provolone, and chimichurri…and Zippy’s Block paired very well. 

Needless to say, it held up well after all these years—spicy and worked well with the meal. We really enjoyed it!

If you have a great story about our winery or wines and you'd love to have it featured in our newsletters, send your stories and photos to the team at mail@twohandswines.com

We love hearing your stories and sharing them with us.

WINE OF THE MONTH
CHARLIE'S GARDEN
Eden Valley Shiraz

With the King’s Birthday long weekend still fresh in our minds, this month felt like the perfect time to give Charlie’s Garden its moment in the spotlight. 

Named after MT's son Charlie, and sourced from one of the highest vineyards on top of Mengler’s Hill, Charlie’s Garden shows the cooler, more elevated side of Shiraz. Eden Valley gives this wine a very different expression to the richer, darker Barossa Valley style that is Bella's Garden. Expect lifted red fruits, fresh florals, spice and a beautiful line of minerality through the finish.It still has depth and presence, but there is an elegance and restraint that makes it especially compelling. This is Shiraz with a cooler-climate edge, perfect for those who love structure, fragrance and detail.

Shiraz sourced from a vineyard on Mengler Hill that shows deep plum, boysenberry and black cherry fruits infused with baking spice, violet top notes, roasting meats, sage, olive tapenade, dark chocolate and vanillin oak. Full bodied and plushly fruited, tannins ultrafine and powdery and a chocolatey, bright finish with the emphasis on fruit purity and spice. - 94 points, Wine Companion, Dave Brookes, Published 08 July 2024

To celebrate the season, we have put together a special Charlie’s Garden six-pack featuring a mix of vintages, including the rare 2015 inaugural release. The pack includes wines with a decade of age already taken care of, alongside newer releases that can be enjoyed now or tucked away for the years ahead. It also features both the original and refreshed label designs, making it a lovely snapshot of Charlie’s Garden through the years.

Available with complimentary domestic freight for a limited time. SHOP NOW!

Morgan is a country South Australian native, having grown up in the spectacular Flinders Ranges before finding her way into media, communications and marketing. At Two Hands, she looks after much of the storytelling you see across our emails, website and social media, from vineyard updates to the occasional slightly chaotic idea that somehow becomes an Instagram reel. She is a lover of all things Chardonnay, has a record collection that continues to grow, and holds strong interests in royal history, Rhea Ripley and a well-timed pop culture reference. Morgan’s attention to detail, creative energy and slightly quirky sense of humour help bring the Two Hands story to life across our digital channels.

Q&A:
1. We hear you're a Chardonnay fan, tell us why?
I don't think there was one particular moment that made me fall in love with Chardonnay, I just love the texture and richness of it. When it's done well, it's also one of those varieties that seems to suit every occasion.

2. Favourite music and wine pairing?
See below playlist 😉 However, sadly there is no punk or metal in there so it can be played at Cellar Door.

3. What's your recommended non-wine activity in the Barossa?
Switch to gin! Go visit our neighbours Seppeltsfield Road Distillers or check out the new home of Prohibition Liquor Co in the beautifully restored old Seppeltsfield Estate Distillery.

4. What is the best season to visit Barossa and enjoy the wines?
Autumn, without question. Vintage is happening, and the weather is perfect. 

Follow us on Spotify for the seasonal playlists we use during tastings at Cellar Door, perfect for a winter afternoon with a glass of Shiraz in hand.