HERITAGE WINES - “A little-known winery that deserves a wider audience, for veteran owner/winemaker Stephen Hoff is apt to produce some startlingly good wines.” James Halliday
A sixth generation descendent of early Barossa settlers, Steve Hoff established Heritage Wines in 1984 and quickly earned a reputation for producing exceptional wines in the unique big-hearted Barossa style.
A true son of the Barossa, Steve’s winemaking career began at Saltram, under Peter Lehmann, where he also worked with Charlie Melton. It was a fine apprenticeship in Barossa winemaking that set him up for a fine career.
Steve’s intimate knowledge of the Barossa was behind the decision to purchase vineyards and establish his winery at Maranaga in the western Barossa. It is in an area that has produced some of the Barossa’s finest wines for over 100 years.
His decision was prescient. Recently the region has been attracting increased attention following the release of special (and expensive) wines, based entirely on Marananga fruit, by wineries such as Penfolds and Torbreck. These wines reinforce what a bargain the Heritage Shiraz really is and has always been.
The Heritage vineyards are hand pruned and receive minimal irrigation – just enough to enable the gnarled old vines to function. The resulting low yields (around two tonnes per acre) produce wonderfully concentrated wines with classic Barossa Shiraz flavours.
2017 Heritage Wines Barossa Shiraz 14.5% 6x75cl £117.00
Deep purple-crimson in colour. Enticing perfume of blackberry, plum, liquorice, smoke, and blueberry. This leads to a medium to full-bodied, plush, ripe, layered wine with bucket loads of flavour, well concealed tannin, and superior length. Will drink beautifully through this decade and beyond