The Barossa Grounds Project was established in 2008 to evaluate the variations in wine style across the Barossa Zone. This collaborative undertaking, led by the Barossa Grape & Wine Association and including the participation of South Australia’s leading soil scientists and viticulturists, wine critics, PIRSA and many of the Barossa’s most experienced winemakers, involved the collection of climatic data, analysis of soil profiles across the Barossa and Eden Valleys, controlled winemaking studies and annual tasting reviews.
The Australian Geographical Indications defines the official boundaries of the Barossa Zone, its Regions Barossa Valley and Eden Valley, and the Sub-region of High Eden.
The Project identified three distinctive Grounds within the Barossa Valley Region – Northern Grounds, Central Grounds and Southern Grounds. Two smaller grounds, Eastern Edge and Western Ridge, are also acknowledged.
Discover the diversity of Barossa Shiraz through its Grounds in this masterclass and online here
Irvine | The Estate Shiraz | 2015
Eden Valley
SOIL | Sandstone, granite over ironstone
YIELD | 4 tonne/ha
TASTING | Lighter framed, more typical EV style
Langmeil | Pure Eden Shiraz | 2015
Eden Valley
SOIL | Sandy loam over sandstone, ironstone, granite
YIELD | 1.14 tonne/ha
TASTING | Fuller framed, more concentrated
ANCESTOR VINES | 129 years old
Lou Miranda | Old Vine Shiraz | 2015
Southern Grounds | Rowland Flat
SOIL | Sandy loam over limestone
WATER | Dry grown
TASTING | Generous, violets, fragrant
CENTENARIAN VINES | 112 years old
Schild Estate | Ben Schild Shiraz | 2015
Southern Grounds | Rowland Flat
SOIL | Sandy loam, over clay
WATER | Occasional bore water irrigation
TASTING | More typical, darker fruited, powdery tannins, chocolate
Schwarz Wine Co | Schiller Shiraz | 2015
Central Grounds | Krondorf
SOIL | Heavy clay loam over ironstone
YIELD | 2 tonne /ha
TASTING |
ANCESTOR VINES | 134 years old
Elderton | Command Shiraz | 2015
Central Grounds | Nuriootpa
SOIL | Alluvial silt over red + brown clay over limestone
YIELD | 2 tonne /ha
TASTING | Firmer tannins, more structure, darker fruit
ANCESTOR VINES | 121 years old
Torbeck | The Descendant | 2015
Northern Grounds | Marananga
SOIL | Red brown earth over ironstone + limestone
YIELD |
TASTING |
SURVIVOR VINES | 94 years old
Glaetzer | Amon Ra | 2015
Northern Grounds | Ebenezer
SOIL | Redbrown earth over ironstone
WATER | Irrigation to avoid stress
TASTING | Robust tannins dark yet bright fruited
SURVIVOR VINES | 90 years old