The acclaimed Henschke family, foundation members of Australia’s First Families of Wine, was one of the pioneering families of South Australia when Johann Christian Henschke migrated from Silesia (Germany in 1841). Each generation has contributed to the legend with fourth generation Cyril Henschke pioneering varietal, single-vineyard wines in the 1950s, most famously Mount Edelstone and Hill of Grace Shiraz. Fifth-generation winemaker Stephen and his viticulturist wife Prue have won many awards for their talent, innovation and integration of vineyard and winery. They lead the way with environmental, biodynamic and organic principles. Henschke wines are handcrafted and deeply personal, reflecting the unique terroir of vineyards: the wine names tell either a personal story of the family or the cultural history of their region.

The Wheelwright commemorates 150 years of family winemaking and pays tribute to the ‘founding father’ of Henschke, Johann Christian Henschke. He was the first generation of the early Barossa German pioneers of South Australia, a winemaker who established the family winery in 1868. Johann Christian arrived as a skilled stonemason and wheelwright and planted his first vineyards in the high country of the picturesque Eden Valley. This wine is produced from Old-Vine shiraz planted in 1968, a century later, by fourth-generation Cyril Henschke. Decanting is recommended before serving.

The 2022 The Wheelwright Single Vineyard Shiraz is highly perfumed with purple flowers and lifted spice. This is loaded with pomegranate, raspberry, red licorice, pink peppercorn (in that attractive citrussy way that pink peppercorns can bring) and green olive tapenade. This is structural and yet juicy, savory (tannins) but sweet (fruit) and incredibly persistent and lingering. This offers immense pleasure now, but it will, like all the Henschke wines, evolve positively in the cellar for decades to come. The 2022 vintage brings such delicacy and freshness to this wine. I love it. Rating: 96 Points; Erin Larkin; Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Shiraz sourced from the Wheelwright vineyard in the Eden Valley; aged in French oak, 10% new, for 20 months. Expressive and fruit pure with aromas of blackberry, blueberry and black cherry fruits with hints of brown spice, flowering herbs, sage, a flash of red cherry, violets, cedar, graphite and crushed rock. There's a lovely core of pure plum and blue fruits over graphite, layers of spice and citrus blossom high tones. Graceful and sleek with melt-in-the-mouth tannins and a bright, sustained finish. Date: Feb 2026; Alcohol: 14.5%; Price: $165.00; Drink by: 2050; Rating: 96 Points & Special Value Star; James Halliday Wine Companion