2019TorbreckTheForebearShiraz

Sans The Forebear is a premium single-vineyard Shiraz, crafted from one of the world’s oldest Shiraz vineyards, paying tribute to the pioneering families of the Barossa Valley. Established in 1849 by Samuel Springbett, the Hillside vineyard near Lyndoch has a rich legacy of grape growing and winemaking. In 2002, Torbreck acquired the estate, which included heritage-listed vineyards and cellars, and focused on rejuvenating the ancient vines and implementing sustainable farming practices. These vines, originating from pre-Phylloxera European cuttings, are planted in sand over deep loam and red clay soils, producing fruit with a unique historical significance. The Forebear is made from the original 12 rows of these ancient Shiraz vines.Torbreck’s chief winemaker, Ian Hongell, and viticulturist, Nigel Blieschke, have championed this project since 2014, believing the vineyard holds a significant place in Torbreck’s portfolio of single-site wines. The winemaking process honors the land’s past custodians, involving hand-harvesting, gentle processing, 24 months of aging in French barriques, followed by an additional three years of bottle maturation before release, ensuring The Forebear stands as a testament to the vineyard’s heritage and the Barossa’s winemaking tradition.