Six Generations of Henschke Winemaking
Established in 1868, Henschke is one of Australia’s oldest family-owned wineries. The story began with Johann Christian Henschke, who planted vines in South Australia’s Eden Valley in the 1860s, with the first recorded sale of Henschke wine following in 1868.
Today, the family continues a six-generation tradition of grapegrowing and winemaking across the Eden Valley, Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills. Henschke’s reputation has been built on a close relationship between vineyard and winery, with particular emphasis on historic sites, old vines and wines that express their individual origins.
Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone
Henschke is most closely associated with two of Australia’s most important single-vineyard Shiraz wines: Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone.
Hill of Grace comes from a small, historic vineyard in the Eden Valley, where the oldest Shiraz vines were planted around 1860 and remain on their own roots. These ancient vines, known within Henschke’s vine-age classification as Ancestors, form the heart of one of Australia’s most recognised fine wines. The first Henschke Hill of Grace was produced by fourth-generation winemaker Cyril Henschke from the 1958 vintage.
Mount Edelstone has an equally significant history. Its dry-grown, ungrafted Shiraz vines were planted in 1912, with Cyril Henschke first producing Mount Edelstone as a single-vineyard wine in 1952. It has since become one of Australia’s longest continuously produced single-vineyard wines.
The Eden Valley and Henschke House Style
The Eden Valley is central to Henschke, providing the source for many of its most celebrated wines. Higher elevations, ancient geology and varied vineyard exposures create conditions suited to both red and white varieties, particularly Shiraz and Riesling.
Henschke Shiraz is often defined less by sheer weight than by fragrance, spice, fine tannins and a strong expression of site. At the highest level, wines such as Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone combine red and dark fruit with florals, pepper, herbs and savoury complexity, supported by the structure to evolve over many years.
The Eden Valley also provides the fruit for wines such as Julius Riesling, which showcases another side of the region through citrus-driven freshness, precision and natural acidity.
Beyond Hill of Grace: The Henschke Range
While Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone sit at the centre of Henschke’s reputation, the portfolio extends across a diverse collection of vineyards, varieties and regional expressions.
Keyneton Euphonium combines Shiraz with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, while Henry’s Seven brings together Shiraz, Grenache, Mataro and Viognier in a Rhône-inspired blend. The range also includes single-vineyard and limited releases such as Hill of Roses, The Wheelwright and Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon, alongside wines from the Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley.
White wines form an important part of the collection as well, led by Eden Valley Riesling and complemented by varieties including Chardonnay, Semillon and Pinot Gris.
Viticulture, Old Vines and Custodianship
Henschke’s modern identity is closely connected to the vineyard work of viticulturist Prue Henschke and winemaker Stephen Henschke. Over several decades, the family has introduced regenerative approaches alongside organic and biodynamic principles to improve soil health, biodiversity, vine resilience and fruit quality.
This vineyard focus is particularly important across Henschke’s historic sites, where some vines have survived for well over a century. Preserving these old vineyards while continuing to refine how they are farmed has become fundamental to the character and longevity of the Henschke wines.
