Barossa valley’s Hentley farm is Australia’s best winery

Internationally acclaimed wine guru James Halliday has named the Barossa Valley’s boutique Hentley Farm winery as the best in Australia.

Founded by Keith and Alison Hentschke in the 1990s, Hentley Farm is set among rolling hills on the banks of Greenock Creek at Seppeltsfield, South Australia where it grows and produces ultra-premium quality single-estate and single-block wines.

Since its first vintage in 2002, Hentley Farm has earned a place among Australia's leading boutique wineries, being awarded a rare 5 red-stars and placed in the top echelon of Australian wineries by respected wine writer James Halliday while its wines have been acclaimed in wine shows around the country.

Last night, Hentley Farm cemented its place at the top of the nation’s finest wineries at the annual James Halliday Wine Companion Awards in Melbourne.

Last year’s winner was Penfolds – maker of the acclaimed Penfold’s Grange.

Mr Hentschke said winning the prestigious 2015 James Halliday Winery of the Year award was a major accolade, respected around the world and an endorsement of the ultra-premium quality vineyard site, growing practices and the amazing talent of its winemaker, Andrew Quin.

“Hentley Farm is an independent boutique winery blessed with a 100 acre low yielding vineyard, enviable perfect red grape growing terroir, a commitment to sustainable practices and a clever and passionate team,” Mr Hentschke said.

“We consider ourselves as 'winegrowers', with our winemaking accentuating characteristics of the vineyard from vine to bottle, but we also hold close to our hearts the belief that wine is to be enjoyed and therefore have also worked hard to create an environment conducive to that goal,” Mr Quin said.

Over the past decade, Hentley Farm has implemented leading edge sustainable vineyard management practices, painstakingly restored the property’s original 1840s homestead to house its intimate cellar door and, in May 2012 opened the acclaimed Hentley Farm Restaurant in the property's elegantly restored stables among the vines. Hentley Farm winemaker Andrew Quin and Hentley Farm Restaurant executive chef Lachlan Colwill have played key roles in Hentley Farm’s success.

“Hentley Farm now provides the perfect environment for an exceptional boutique wine experience – a fact reflected in the Best Winery Award,” Mr Hentschke said.

Hentley Farm winemaker Andrew Quin was a Top 10 finalist for the Wine Society's Young Winemaker of the Year last year while his unique 2012 "The Stray Mongrel" Grenache Shiraz Zinfandel blend took out the coveted Rob Schubert Trophy for the Most Outstanding Barossa Red Table Wine 2013 (Best Red of Show) at the annual Barossa Wine Show Awards.

Hentley Farm Restaurant was named South Australia's Best Restaurant of the Year and Best Regional Restaurant in the Advertiser 2013 Food Awards after just one year, on the basis of Lachlan Colwill's "ambitious, sophisticated menus that meld surprise with a delicious sense of place. It was also named Best New Restaurant at the coveted SA Restaurant & Catering Awards 2013 and awarded four forks in The Advertiser Food Guide 2014. Only one other restaurant has been awarded this status in the past two years.

Hentley Farm Cellar Door
Corner of Gerald Roberts Rd and Jenke Rd,
Seppeltsfield SA 5355

Phone: +618 8562 8427 / Mobile: + 61 403 287 042   
Email: cellardoor@hentleyfarm.com.au
Website: www.hentleyfarm.com.au
Twitter: @hentleyfarm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hentley-Farm-Wines/140591999300761
Instagram: @hentleyfarm

ISSUED BY:  Hughes Public Relations: Contact Tim Hughes on (08) 8412 4100
INTERVIEWS:   Keith Hentschke on 0403 287 042