PENFOLDS HISTORY
The success of Penfolds has been driven by the generations of visionaries and innovators. From the beginning in 1844 to today, the merging of science, art and innovation has driven Penfolds to become one of Australia's most famed and respected winemakers.
1844 TO EVERMORE!
After the success of early sherries and fortified wines, founders Dr Christopher and Mary Penfold planted their vine cuttings they had carried on their voyage over to Australia. In 1844 the fledging vineyard was officially established as the Penfolds wine company at Magill Estate.
1870
As the company grew, so too did Dr Penfold’s medical reputation, leaving much of the running of the winery to Mary Penfold. Early forays into Clarets and Rieslings proved increasingly popular, and on Christopher’s death in 1870, Mary assumed total responsibility for the winery. Mary’s reign at the helm of Penfolds saw years of determination and endeavour.
1920
By the time Mary Penfold retired in 1884 (ceding management to her daughter, Georgina) Penfolds was producing 1/3 of all South Australia's wine. She'd set an agenda that continues today, experimenting with new methods in wine production. By Mary's death in 1896, the Penfolds legacy was well on its way to fruition. By 1907, Penfolds had become South Australia's largest winery.
1948
In 1948, history was made again as Max Schubert became the company’s first Chief Winemaker. A loyal company man and true innovator, Schubert would propel Penfolds onto the global stage with his experimentation of long-lasting wines - the creation of Penfolds Grange in the 1950s.
1959
In 1959 (while Schubert was perfecting his Grange experiment in secret), the tradition of ‘bin wines’ began. The first, a Shiraz wine with the grapes of the company’s own Barossa Valley vineyards was simply named after the storage area of the cellars where it is aged. And so Kalimna Bin 28 becomes the first official Penfolds Bin number wine.
LATE 20TH CENTURY
In 1960, the Penfolds board instructed Max Schubert to officially re-start production on Grange. His determination and the quality of the aged wine had won them over.
Soon, the medals began flowing and Grange quickly became one of the most revered wines around the world. In 1988 Schubert was named Decanter Magazine’s Man of the Year, and on the 50th anniversary of its birth, Penfolds Grange was given a heritage listing in South Australia.
21ST CENTURY
Despite great success, Penfolds never rests on its laurels. In 2012 Penfolds released its most innovative project to date - 12 handcrafted ampoules of the rare 2004 Kalimna Block Cabernet Sauvignon.
Two years later, Penfolds celebrated the 170th anniversary – having just picked up a perfect score of 100 for the 2008 Grange in two of the world’s most influential wine magazines. Today, Penfolds continues to hold dear the philosophies and legends – ‘1844 to evermore!’.
THE VINEYARDS
THE MAGIC OF PENFOLDS BEGINS IN THE VINEYARD.
The selection of vineyard sites and quality of fruit have always underpinned Penfolds reputation. Over a 175-year history, Penfolds has owned and leased some of the best vineyard sites in Australia, and work with carefully selected growers to stay true to our fruit-first philosophy of multi-vineyard, multi-regional sourcing.
Today, Penfolds vineyards are located primarily across South Australia’s finest wine regions. At the heart is Penfolds Magill Estate. Dr Christopher and Mary Penfold planted the first vines here back in 1844, and even today Magill Vineyard still contributes fruit to Grange when vintage conditions allow.
The Penfolds winemaking philosophy is unbound by country, vine or time. This endeavour continues with Penfolds venture into California.
MAGILL ESTATE
Magill Estate is intrinsically linked to Penfolds beginnings and is the location of the winery’s ‘spiritual home’, first established in 1844. A single vineyard monopole, Magill Estate is one of the world’s few urban vineyards, located only 15 minutes from the Adelaide CBD. The vineyard is 100% shiraz and fruit from the vineyard contributes to Magill Estate Shiraz, with select parcels also being submitted to Penfolds flagship, Grange, in chosen vintages.
BAROSSA VALLEY
The ancient soils of the Barossa Valley are home to many of our most celebrated vineyards. The region and some of the vineyards are steeped in history, including Penfolds own Kalimna Block 42 vines which were planted in 1880’s and are thought to be the oldest continuously-producing cabernet sauvignon vines in the world.
Our Barossa Valley vineyards contribute fruit to some of our most iconic wines from Grange to Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz and the sub-region expression of Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz.
ADELAIDE HILLS
On the city’s doorstep, the cooler climate of the Adelaide Hills is ideal for cultivating most of Penfolds whites and pinots. The combination of high altitude and cool climate gives the wines their contemporary and distinctive profile. Our Adelaide Hills vineyards contribute fruit to our award-winning Reserve Bin A Chardonnay, St Henri Shiraz and Cellar Reserve range.
MCLAREN VALE
A classic Mediterranean climate with cool winters, warm summers, low rainfall and moderating sea breezes. McLaren Vale vineyards contribute fruit to St Henri Shiraz, Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz and Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon.
COONAWARRA
Weathered limestone under terra rossa soils and a relatively cool climate make Coonawarra one of Australia’s most important fine wine regions. The Coonawarra region is best known for cabernet sauvignon and shiraz. These vineyard contributes fruit to Grange, Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz and many of our special Bin Series wines.
EDEN VALLEY
South Australia has gained worldwide recognition for producing definitive world-class riesling, with the Eden Valley at the head of the field. Eden Valley vineyards contribute fruit for Bin 51 Riesling.
