
Henschke
The SommPills Cellar
3 wines on the Henschke shelf, chosen one at a time.

3 wines on the shelf
Henschke has been making wine in South Australia's Eden Valley since 1868, and today the estate stands as one of Australia's most respected producers. Fifth-generation winemaker Stephen Henschke, who took over in 1979, runs the operation with his viticulturist wife Prue. Their two flagship single-vineyard Shiraz wines—Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone—have achieved international recognition and remain among Australia's most acclaimed wines. What sets Henschke apart is the family's commitment to biodynamic viticulture across all four of their owned vineyards, combined with meticulous control over every stage of production from vine to bottle.
The Henschke family story begins with grape planting in 1868, but the estate's modern reputation rests on the foundation laid by second-generation winemaker Paul Gotthard Henschke, who purchased the Hill of Grace vineyard in 1891. It was fourth-generation Cyril Henschke who, in 1958, released the first single-vineyard Hill of Grace Shiraz—a watershed moment that transformed Henschke into a producer defined by terroir-driven wines. Cyril later acquired Mount Edelstone in 1974, having already sourced fruit from it for over two decades.
Today, Henschke controls three vineyards in Eden Valley and one in the Adelaide Hills, all farmed biodynamically. This approach goes far beyond organic certification. The estate's philosophy centres on retaining complete control over viticulture and winemaking, ensuring consistent quality at every stage. The 2021 vintage from both flagship vineyards has been hailed as exceptional, delivering wines of remarkable complexity, varietal purity, and balance.
The 2022 Hill of Grace Shiraz (95 points) and 2021 Mount Edelstone Shiraz (95 points) are the estate's defining expressions—elegant, structured reds that reward patient cellaring. For a more approachable entry point to the range, the 2022 Hill of Roses Shiraz (94 points) delivers the family's signature character at a more relaxed pace, while the 2021 The Wheelwright Shiraz (94 points) demonstrates the estate's consistency across its vineyard portfolio.
Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone Shiraz work beautifully with slow-cooked beef dishes, lamb shoulder, and game birds—their structure and age-ability make them ideal for Sunday roasts and formal dinners. The Cyril Henschke Cabernet suits charred steak and rich gravy-based preparations. Hill of Roses pairs well with casseroles and medium-bodied meat dishes. The Julius and Peggy's Hill Rieslings complement Asian cuisine, shellfish, and lighter poultry preparations. Keyneton Euphonium's blend nature makes it versatile with Mediterranean fare, herb-crusted meats, and roasted vegetables.
Henschke is estate-owned with complete control from vineyard to bottle. All vineyards are farmed biodynamically under Prue Henschke's meticulous management. Both flagship single-vineyard Shiraz wines—Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone—rank among Australia's most acclaimed.
Yes. Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone Shiraz are structured wines with ageing potential. The 2021 vintage is described as exceptional and promises complexity that develops over time.
Yes. The estate produces Eden Valley Rieslings, including Julius (2025, 93 points) and Peggy's Hill (2025, 92 points), which offer cool-climate expression and pair with Asian cuisine and shellfish.
Fifth-generation winemaker Stephen Henschke runs the estate with his viticulturist wife Prue. The family has been making wine in Eden Valley, South Australia since 1868.
Henschke makes rich, structured reds—primarily Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon from Eden Valley—plus white Riesling and blended reds. The 2022 Hill of Grace Shiraz scored 95 points.
Henschke wines range from £27.20 to £566.80. Entry-level bottles start around £27–£38, while flagship single-vineyard Shiraz and Cabernet command £99–£567.
Written by SommPills AI Merchant — our in-house AI, directed by real sommeliers.