THORN CLARKE ‘KABININGE’ VINEYARD – KRONDORF DEEP BLACK CRACKING CLAY
RUSDEN VINE VALE VINEYARD DEEP SAND OVER CLAY
KAESLER ‘OLD BASTARD’ VINEYARD – NURIOOTPA DEEP RED BROWN EARTH
SCHOLZ ESTATE ‘FAT OF THE LAND’ VINEYARD - EBENEZER RED BROWN EARTH
Barossa Soils
Barossa’s soils and topography play an important part in selecting sites for planting grapevines. Soil types range from alluvial sands and rich fertile black soils in Southern Barossa, to the less fertile slopes overlaying the limestone and ancient sandstone and schist of Eden Valley – to the red clay loams of Northern Barossa.
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KEN & HELEN SEMMLER ‘ST JAKOBI’ VINEYARD - LYNDOCH DEEP ALLUVIAL CLAY LOAM DUPLEX
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HENTLEY FARM ‘THE BEAST’ VINEYARD - SEPPELTSFIELD RED BROWN EARTH OVER CALCAREOUS SUBSOIL
OPEN THE PAGES TO DISCOVER THE STORY OF DIVERSITY IN THE TASTE OF SHIRAZ WINES ACROSS BAROSSA.
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BAROSSA ZONE RN R TE ES
I DG E Ebenezer
Moppa
STOCKWELL
NORTHERN GREENOCK GROUNDS
BAROSSA VALLEY
Kalimna Seppeltsfield
Marananga
Light Pass
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Stone Well
NURIOOTPA
Moculta
Dorrien
ANGasTON
TANUNDA
E AS
E Vine Vale
DG
Gomersal
E
PR OO
CENTRAL GROUNDS
R TE
N
Keyneton
EDEN VALLEY
Bethany
Krondorf
Rosedale
SOUTHERN GROUNDS
Rowland Flat
Flaxman Valley
LYNDOCH
Craneford
Pewsey Vale
HIGH EDEN
WILLIAMSTOWN
Springton
For more information on the Barossa Grounds Project Contact Nicki Robins: Barossa Grape & Wine Association nicki@barossa.com www.barossa.com September 2016
With time, more specific locations may be identified within the Barossa Zone, highlighting the diversity of Shiraz across the Barossa Valley and Eden Valley Regions. Variation in the taste of Riesling wines from different locations within the Eden Valley may also be explored.
THE BAROSSA
OF
GROUNDS
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Discover the diversity of Shiraz from across Barossa’s landscape.
How climate, soil, landscape, grower and winemaker all contribute to the diversity of Barossa Shiraz.
Barossa is 70 kilometres north-east of Adelaide in South Australia with a history dating from 1842, sixth generation winemaking families and some Shiraz vines over 170 years old.
THE BAROSSA ZONE CONSISTS OF TWO REGIONS:
BAROSSA VALLEY
SUB-REGION
EDEN VALLEY
HIGH EDEN
Barossa is famous for its richlyflavoured Shiraz wines — from both the Barossa Valley and Eden Valley. But other varieties excel here too, including Grenache, Mataro and Cabernet Sauvignon in the Barossa Valley and Riesling, Chardonnay and Viognier in the Eden Valley. Barossa is also wellknown for its GSM (Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro) blends. Eden Valley Rieslings are known for their great ageing potential. Many outstanding fortified wines are also produced in Barossa.
For over 150 years growers and winemakers have observed the growth habits of Shiraz vines in the Barossa Zone. Anecdotal evidence acquired over several generations suggests that quality and character of Barossa Shiraz are profoundly connected with locality and vineyard. Different climates, aspects and soil types, possess unique characteristics that impact on the taste of Shiraz.
BAROSSA VALLEY Altitude
112 – 597m (53% <280m)
Climate
Warm and dry during the growing season. The warm conditions help build weight and fruit richness to the wines.
Soils
Soils are very diverse, ranging from deep sandy loams to clay loams and red brown earths.
THE TASTE OF THE WINES Style:
Full-bodied, opulent, rich, robust.
These differences have become increasingly obvious with the release of more single vineyard and sub-regional wines, bringing an exciting richness and diversity to the Barossa Shiraz experience.
Colour:
Deep purple-red
Aroma:
Blue and black fruits (dark cherry, fruitcake, plum, blackberry, mulberry, black olives) spice, chocolate, licorice.
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Barossa Shiraz is one of the great regional wine styles of the world. First produced by Silesian and English settlers in the late 1840s, it is renowned for its aromatic complexity, volume and flavourrichness. The taste of Barossa Shiraz evokes the character and stories of a unique and beautiful
landscape. Its compelling nuances are connected to ancient, genetic, colonial vine stock, varying microclimates, soils, topography and generations of effort.
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BAROSSA
THE TASTE OF BAROSSA VALLEY & EDEN VALLEY SHIRAZ
THE BAROSSA GROUNDS PROJECT
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Can the taste of a wine transport you to a piece of ground somewhere in the Barossa?
The Barossa Grounds Project was established in 2008 to evaluate the variations of 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, Wine Australia 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 Barossa Grounds Project identified three distinctive Grounds
Shape & Texture:
Round and velvety. Firm tannins (chalky, grainy) moderately to strongly puckering and drying.
EDEN VALLEY Altitude
217 – 630m (99% >280m)
Climate
created by the Australian Geographical Indications to indicate a unique and homogenous wine growing region.
The higher altitude results in wetter and cooler weather. Day time temperatures can be 2-3OC cooler (night time temperatures 5-7OC cooler) than the Barossa Valley. The cooler conditions result in a more elegant, perfumed, linear-shaped wine.
Soils
Mainly shallow, rocky soils.
Sub-region – an official boundary
Style:
Medium- to full-bodied, vibrant, elegant.
Colour:
Vibrant red.
Aroma:
Mainly red and blue fruits (red and black cherry, raspberry, blueberry, plum), violets, sage, pepper.
Shape & Texture:
Linear to oval, silky, savoury. Fine tannins (dusty, powdery) moderately puckering and moderately to strongly drying.
within the Barossa Valley Region - Northern Grounds, Central Grounds and Southern Grounds. Two smaller grounds, Eastern Edge and Western Ridge, are also acknowledged. Region – An official boundary
created by the Australian Geographical Indications and based on evidence of sub regional differences including climate, soils and overall wine style.
Ground – an unofficial but locally recognised locality, identified by its climate, soil, geology and vineyard management practices. Parish – the area surrounding the villages established by the different groups of original Barossan settlers.
THE TASTE OF THE WINES
WHY ARE THE â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;GROUNDSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; DIFFERENT FROM EACH OTHER?
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The personality of Shiraz is linked to the character of vineyard site, vine age, clone, viticultural practices, soil types, harvesting time and individual winemaking craft and philosophy. Vintage conditions bring further variation. Cooler sites may perform best in warmer seasons, whereas warmer sites perform best in cooler seasons! SHIRAZ
VINEYARD SITE
Elevation, slope and aspect will modify temperature conditions, sunshine hours, rainfall and frost incidence.
SOIL TYPE
Contributing elements (what are often
PR OO
Shiraz was planted in South Australia around 1838. It probably arrived in the Barossa somewhere during the mid-1840s. There are various selections or clones of Shiraz, each with subtly different growing characteristics.
growth, as well as viticultural management practices including vineyard orientation, trellising, clonal selection, irrigation, pruning and harvesting.
Stockwell Kalimna Light Pass
Ebenezer
Moppa
Soil structure, depth, fertility, water-holding capacity and supply are factors that influence vine
Keyneton
Angaston
Nuriootpa Dorrien
Greenock
Flaxman Valley
Vine Vale
Marananga Stone Well
Seppeltsfield
Bethany
Stockwell Kalimna Light Pass
Ebenezer
Krondorf
Moppa
Gomersal
Nuriootpa Dorrien
Greenock
Barossa Valley
Rowland Flat Tanunda
Craneford
High Keyneton Eden
Angaston
Pewsey Vale
Pewsey Vale Peak 629m
Eden Valley
Craneford
Bethany
Pewsey Vale
Rowland Flat
Lyndoch
Barossa Valley
Barossa Soil Groups
Eden Valley
Flaxman Valley
Kaiser Stuhl
Krondorf
Gomersal
Rosedale
Vine Vale
Marananga Stone Well
Seppeltsfield
Rosedale
Eden Valley
Kaiser Stuhl
Tanunda
Barossa Soil Groups
referred to as terroir) that determine the character of a locality were charted in the Barossa Grounds Project and are shown in the maps on the following page.
Pewsey Vale Peak 629m
High Eden
Springton
Eden Valley
Springton
Mt Crawford
Geographic Indicator Mt Crawford Boundary
Lyndoch
Williamstown
Geographic Indicator Boundary
Deep loamy texture contrast soils with brown or dark subsoil
Williamstown
Ironstone Deep loamy texture contrast soils soils with brown or dark subsoil Ironstone soils
Shallow to moderately deep acidic soils on rock
Shallow to moderately deep acidic soils on rock Shallow soils on rock Shallow soils on rock
Deep uniform to gradational soils
Deep uniform to gradational soils Calcareous soils Calcareous soils Shallow soils on calcrete or limestone
Shallow soils on calcrete or limestone
Gradational soils with highly calcareous lower Gradational soils subsoil Hard red-brown texturecalcareous contrast soils lower subsoil with highly with alkaline subsoil
Hard red-brown texture contrast soils with alkaline subsoil
Cracking clay soils
Sand over clay soils
Cracking clay soils
Deep sands
Sand over clay soils Deep sands
IDENTIFYING THE GROUNDS The Barossa Grounds Project identified three distinctive “Grounds” within the Barossa Valley Region. Two smaller grounds are also acknowledged.
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vineyards in the “parishes” (townships) of Seppeltsfield, Marananga, Stone Well, Greenock, Moppa, Stockwell, Ebenezer and Kalimna. The renowned Western Ridge runs from the north of Greenock, through Seppeltsfield and pushes into the Central Grounds near Gomersal.
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Northern Grounds — includes
Central Grounds — comprises
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vineyards in the parishes of Gomersal, Tanunda, Nuriootpa, Dorrien and Light Pass. A difficult area to define as there are dramatic differences in soil type across this section of the Barossa landscape. Each wine has the Barossa Valley signature, but with a different expression; sometimes more like the north, other times more like the south — it depends very much on the climate and soil of each site and how the grower manages the site. Vineyards around the parishes of Krondorf, Bethany and Vine Vale are located along the Eastern Edge, one of the first areas settled in the 1840s because of its deep sandy loam soils, water-holding capacity and access. The soil, and the gully breezes from Eden Valley, bring a softness to the character of these wines, similar in structure to the wines in the south.
Southern Grounds — The
southern approaches of the Barossa Valley include vineyards in the parishes of Williamstown, Lyndoch, Rowland Flat and Rosedale.
Growing Degree Days is used as an indication of the cumulative temperature conditions across the vine growing season.
Barossa Soil Available Water Holding Capacity Ebenezer Moppa
Greenock Seppeltsfield
Stockwell Kalimna Light Pass
Nuriootpa
Vine Vale
Marananga Stone Well
Tanunda
Keyneton
Angaston
Flaxman Valley
Eden Valley
Kaiser Stuhl Craneford
Bethany Krondorf Pewsey Vale
Gomersal
Rowland Flat
Barossa Valley Rosedale
High Eden
Eden Valley Springton
Pewsey Vale Peak 629m
Lyndoch
Mt Crawford
Geographic Indicator Boundary
Williamstown
More than 100cm 70 - 100cm 40 - 70cm 20 - 40cm Less than 20cm
RAINFALL
Rainfall patterns are linked to elevation. The highest average rainfall in the Barossa Valley occurs in the Southern Grounds, along the Eastern Edge, and in the north along the Western Ridge.
TEMPERATURE
The warmest parts of the Barossa Valley are found in the western areas of the Southern and Central Grounds. Growing Degree Days is used an indication of the cumulative temperature conditions across the vine growing season.
SOIL PROPERTIES
Growers work with winemakers to achieve the yields and quality required for particular wine styles.
A measure of soil available waterholding capacity is used to illustate a soil property. There is wide variation across Barossa. Water-holding capacity of soil determines whether vineyards require supplementary water. While irrigation is used by growers across the Barossa Valley there are many drygrown vineyard sites.
THE WINEMAKER’S HAND
The winemaker plays a crucial role in determining the quality and character of wine. The time of harvest, fermentation temperature, maceration times and oak maturation etc. can all impact on the taste of the wine.
THE GROWER’S TOUCH
Viticultural practices are all slightly different and can impact on vine growth and berry composition.
OF
BAROSSA TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP
Stockwell Kalimna Light Pass
Ebenezer
Moppa
Nuriootpa
Moculta
Flaxman Valley
Vine Vale
Marananga Stone Well
Kaiser Stuhl
Craneford
Bethany
Tanunda
Eden Valley
PR O
Greenock
Keyneton
Angaston
Seppeltsfield
Krondorf
Gomersal
Rowland Flat
Barossa Valley
Rosedale
High Eden
Pewsey Vale
Pewsey Vale Peak 629m
Springton
Eden Valley
Lyndoch
Geographic Indicator Boundary
Williamstown
High Eden
Kaiser Stuhl Tanunda
Barossa Vall
ey
ar
nd
Barossa
Greenock
Springton
Eden Valley
GI Bou
600 500 400 300 200 100 0
y
Barossa Valley
© Barossa Grape & Wine, 2015 Produced by: Carto Graphics, Unley, South Australia Barossa Grape & Wine gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Vinehealth Australia
Eden Valley
DIVERSITY IN THE TASTE OF BAROSSA VALLEY SHIRAZ CENTRAL GROUNDS
“Fragrant, elegant and smooth”
“Softness and generosity”
Here we highlight the character of wines from vineyards in the parish of Lyndoch.
Here we highlight the character of wines from along the Eastern Edge of the Barossa Valley, in the parishes of Bethany and Krondorf.
112 – 310m
CLIMATE
Warm. Rainfall is higher than in other parts of the valley.
Soils
Sandy loams to clay loams.
THE TASTE OF THE WINES
ALTITUDE 180 – 280m CLIMATE
Warm. In summer, cool afternoon and evening gully breezes moderate the temperature, providing relief for vines on hot days.
Soils
Sandy brown loams and black cracking clays.
Medium- to full-bodied, generous, lush, elegant, refreshing.
THE TASTE OF THE WINES
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STYLE
COLOUR
Deep red to purple-red.
AROMA
Mainly red and blue fruit with some black fruit nuances (red cherry, raspberry, blueberry, plum), fragrant, violets, mint and chocolate.
SHAPE & TEXTURE
ALTITUDE
Altitude of the flat land north of the parish of Nuriootpa is around 280m. Altitude of the Western Ridge varies from 280 – 450m.
CLIMATE
arm. Sites on the W Western Ridge with east facing slopes provide relief from the hot afternoon sun.
SOILS
Soils vary but are predominately red-yellow brown loams over red clay. Shattered ironstones are found in the soils of the Western Ridge and the soils are shallower here than elsewhere. A small section of yellow and white sands is found in the area of Kalimna.
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ALTITUDE
“Concentration and richness”
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SOUTHERN GROUNDS
NORTHERN GROUNDS
Linear to oval, smooth, savoury. Fine, gentle tannins (satiny and powdery), moderately puckering and drying.
THE TASTE OF THE WINES
Style
Medium-to full-bodied, generous, vibrant.
STYLE
Full-bodied, opulent, concentrated, rich.
COLOUR
Deep purple-red.
COLOUR
Deep purple-red.
AROMA
Mainly red and blue fruits with a touch of black fruit (red cherry, fruitcake, blueberry, blackberry, plum), perfumed, mint and chocolate.
AROMA
Blue and black fruits (dark cherry, blackberry, plum, black olives), dark chocolate, cocoa powder, inky, iodine.
SHAPE & TEXTURE
Round, velvety. Firm, strong, expressive tannins (chalky and grainy), strongly puckering and moderately drying.
SHAPE & Oval to round. Fine, TEXTURE supple tannins (silky
and dusty), moderately puckering and drying.
The Western Ridge, around the parishes of Greenock and Seppeltsfield is where, typically, you find the most powerful expressions of Barossa Valley Shiraz, structured for ageing, with black fruits wrapped in firm, muscular tannins .