Ancestor Vine Grenache

Head Wines Ancestor Vine Grenache is grown in the Stonegarden Vineyard, planted in 1858 near Springton: the coldest, driest and most remote part of the Eden Valley.

The vines grow at 400 metres altitude on sandy loam over yellow clay and granite. They struggle to yield and produce small, intensely flavoured grapes.

The fruit is wild fermented in stainless steel with some whole bunches and no crushing or temperature control. The wine is hand plunged and foot trodden twice daily for two weeks.

It matures for 17 months in large seasoned French oak barrels with a small addition of old vine Mataro. It is bottled without fining or filtration.

Deep dense red, Head Wines Ancestor Vine Grenache is beautifully textured with layers of sweet red fruit and dense, long tannins.

A limited production of numbered bottles. Cellaring potential is 12 years.