Riverina-based Calabria Family Wines has made its most significant push into the ultra-premium market with the launch of The Iconic Grand Reserve Barossa Valley Shiraz.
Crafted with grapes from the 2012 vintage that were originally planted in 1914, the wine is the top tier for the family-owned winery, which Bill Calabria says represents a new page for the family.
“Someone was working hard in 1914 when they planted these vines, and we’ve done our very best to maintain their integrity and the fruit they produce,” he said. “This premium wine represents not only our family’s love and dedication for the craft of winemaking, but also the families before us that worked hard and made sacrifices to develop the vineyard.”
The winery first expanded its portfolio into the Barossa Valley in 2010 with the purchase of two iconic vineyards at Nuriootpa, which contained the centenarian vines.
Sales and Marketing Manager Andrew Calabria says it took two years to get the vines producing fruit of a high enough quality to create his father’s vision of an ultra-premium wine.
“The Iconic means a lot to our family, and especially to my father,” he said.
“His goal in restoring the centenarian vineyards was about putting the love back into the vines. They’re old, brittle and incredibly fragile, and we all feel privileged to be able to not only touch and care for something that is 100 years old, but to be able to then develop a magnificent wine from them.
“Dad considers himself somewhat of a custodian to this vineyard and has passed along his great pride in working with and caring for it.”
The Iconic Grand Reserve Barossa Valley Shiraz has already received a rating of 96 points from wine critic James Halliday and Andrew Calabria says he is looking forward to the wine developing and maturing into an even more outstanding expression of Barossa Shiraz.
“It’s been tough work restoring these vines to produce such a high-quality product, but for us it’s all about continuing to nurture them for future generations to experience the joy they’ve given to us and embrace the history they contain.”
The Iconic Grand Reserve Barossa Valley Shiraz 2012 has an RRP of $175 and is available nationally at fine-wine retailers.