Hayes Family Glengrae Old Bush Grenache 2021

Glenn Becker's dry-grown bush block in Ebenezer is one of the true treasures of the Northern Barossa — a lost block of less than two acres, planted generations ago and traditionally farmed with no access to supplementary water, highly exposed and subject to frost more years than not. The vineyard is a true reflection of Glenn and his personality: unique, and in the years it yields a crop, of such quality that Hayes bottles it as a small-volume Vineyard Series wine. 2021 was one such year.

The 2021 Barossa vintage was remembered as an almost faultless season — good spring rains brought soil moisture levels not seen in years, followed by a warm, dry growing season with balanced, healthy canopies. The result was an average-sized crop of exceptional quality, arguably the best vintage in a decade.

Hand-picked at relatively low baumé late in the season, as is typical for this block. The fruit was destemmed and fermented for 18 days on skins before being transferred to a single puncheon for maturation.

Highly perfumed, medium to full-bodied, with the five-spice character often seen from this block. Dense fruit with a savoury edge, and great length and persistence — a wine that can be enjoyed for many years.

Region: Barossa Valley (Ebenezer)
Variety: 100% Grenache
Vineyard: Dry-grown bush vines, <2 acres, planted generations ago
Winemaking: 18 days on skins, matured in a single puncheon
Alcohol: 14.1%
Production: 670 bottles
Cellaring: 5+ years
Winemaker: Andrew Seppelt

Hayes Family Wines is a small-scale, family-owned and -run producer in Stone Well, in the heart of the Barossa Valley. The Estate Vineyards and Winery are Certified Organic and Certified Sustainable, and Hayes has carried a five-star rating in the James Halliday Wine Companion every year since launching, alongside Certificates of Excellence from Huon Hooke's Real Review in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.