Few estates are as closely connected to the history of the Barossa Valley as Château Tanunda. Established in 1890, its imposing bluestone winery reflects a period when the region was becoming an important name in Australian wine.
Today, the estate’s Old Vine Expressions collection explores another part of that history: the vineyards themselves. These wines come from vines that have remained productive for decades and, in some cases, well over a century.
Our latest release brings together two of those wines: 50 Year Old Vines Shiraz 2022 and 100 Year Old Vines Sémillon 2025.
A historic estate, revived
By the time John Geber discovered Château Tanunda in 1998, the property had fallen into disrepair. The Geber family began restoring the buildings and rebuilding its reputation, returning winemaking to the centre of the estate.
That work continues today, with a particular emphasis on the Barossa’s old vineyards. Château Tanunda draws on estate sites and longstanding grower relationships across the region, working with different soils, locations and varieties to express the breadth of the Barossa.
Its wider collection includes wines from vines over 150 years old—part of a remarkable regional heritage that places the Barossa among the world’s most important surviving old-vine regions.
What makes these vineyards special?
The Barossa is home to productive vineyards dating back to the nineteenth century. Their survival reflects both the suitability of the region for growing grapes and South Australia’s freedom from phylloxera, the pest that devastated so many European vineyards.
Age alone does not guarantee great wine. Site, farming and winemaking all matter. But well-tended old vines can produce small crops of intensely flavoured fruit, and preserving them protects vineyard material that cannot quickly be replaced.
Château Tanunda’s Old Vine Expressions collection gives those vineyards a clear identity, with vine age central to each wine.
50 Year Old Vines Shiraz 2022
The fruit for this Shiraz comes from Vine Vale, where deep sandy soils sit over clay. Planted before 1965, these low-yielding vines have been producing grapes for more than half a century.
The grapes are hand-picked, fermented in open vessels with gentle hand-plunging, then basket-pressed. Eighteen months in French oak brings structure and complexity to the finished wine.
Blackberry, mulberry and dark cherry lead, followed by liquorice, warm spice and chocolate. There is plenty of classic Barossa generosity, with polished tannins giving shape to the rich fruit and long finish.
The 2022 received 96 points from Andrew Caillard MW and Sam Kim, alongside Gold at the Berlin Wine Trophy 2025. Enjoy it with roast lamb or slow-cooked beef, or follow its development through the estate’s suggested drinking window to 2035.
£50 per bottle | £255 for six
£42.50 per bottle by the case — save £45
100 Year Old Vines Sémillon 2025
Shiraz may be the Barossa’s best-known grape, but Sémillon has a long history here too. This wine comes from low-yielding vines over a century old, preserving an important part of the region’s white-wine heritage.
Hand-picking and basket-pressing are followed by seven months in seasoned French oak. The result combines citrus freshness with texture and depth.
Lemon, grapefruit and stone fruit sit alongside delicate floral and honeyed notes. The palate has a creamy breadth, balanced by fresh acidity and a persistent citrus finish.
Awarded 96 points by Ray Jordan and Sam Kim, and 95 points by Halliday Wine Companion, it is a compelling example of Barossa Sémillon. Serve with scallops, lobster or roast chicken, or cellar it to explore its development: Halliday gives a drinking window through to 2045.
£60 per bottle | £306 for six
£51 per bottle by the case — save £54
A small allocation for Love Wine customers
Just 120 bottles of each wine have been allocated to the UK, and we’ve secured 60 bottles of each for Love Wine customers.
Both are available by the bottle, with 15% off six-bottle cases. Contact us to reserve yours.
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