Description
Hahndorf Hill’s six-hectare vineyard is located at the edge of historic Hahndorf village and on the slopes of a gentle hill which, over a century ago, contained a slate quarry. It is very apparent when walking along the slopes of the vineyard blocks at Hahndorf Hill that slate forms a significant part of the mineral component of the soils.
The vineyard topsoils consist of a sandy-loam and red-clay blend, richly embellished with blue-red slate, quartz and ironstone intrusions. The subsoils comprise deep red clay. This abundance of diverse mineral components in the soil translates into a distinct mineral element in all their wines, which is especially beneficial for their Austrian varieties – such as Gruner Veltliner – at which they excel and have pioneered over the past 25 years.
The Adelaide Hills’ slow ripening, cool-climate environment allows for all their grapes to benefit from an extended ripening season with beautifully warm days and cold nights. This diurnal variation is a significant quality defining factor according to producers of these varieties in their native Austria. Hahndorf Hill believe in environmentally sustainable methods to bring out the finesse and vitality in their wines.
Their debut vintage of Gruner Veltliner (which they affectionately call “Gru”) was the first production of Gruner in South Australia. Huon Hooke of the SMH wrote of the debut vintage: ‘I was shocked by how authentic an Adelaide Hills gruner veltliner tasted. It’s a strikingly close replica of the Austrian model.’ Since then, their Gruners have been awarded numerous Gold Medals as well as three Trophies within Australia, with this wine being awarded 97 points by James Halliday. Commenting on the Gruner Veltliner journey, James Halliday wrote: ‘2010 marked the first release of a South Australian gruner veltliner and Hahndorf Hill has led the way ever since.’
The HHW Gru has been making waves on the international stage, too. Austria’s influential Falstaff magazine rated their 2012 Gru as the best Gruner Veltliner outside of Austria in its 2013 International Gruner Veltliner Tasting. (It topped 28 other Gruners from Europe, USA, New Zealand and Australia.) They have also received Gold Medals at the Berliner Wein Trophy competition in Germany, and the 2015 vintage was selected to represent Australia at the prestigious Six Nations Wine Challenge, where it was awarded a Double-Gold Medal.
Notes from the winemaker about this wine. “This classic style Grüner Veltliner showcases versatility with an emphasis on texture and mouthfeel in conjunction with varietal aromatics. The wine is a blend of three distinctly styled components, creating layers of complexity in the final wine. Fruit is picked as three parcels to be vinified separately: The first is cool fermented in stain-less steel to preserve aromatics. The second starts fermentation as full solids juice using the naturally found yeast in the winery and is then transferred to a range of old oak vessels to complete fermentation. The third is fermented at a warmer temperature to create savoury flavours. No malolactic fermentation occurs.
“Our classic Gru Gruner Veltliner balances savoury complexity, bright aromatics and a vibrant, spicy texture. The nose offers nectarine, lime peel and chamomile, while the palate reveals yellow stone fruit, grapefruit and a hint of guava. Juicy acidity and generous texture carry through to a long, layered finish with subtle spice.
“Renowned as one of the world’s most versatile food wines, Gruner Veltliner pairs beautifully with seafood, white meats, South East Asian dishes and vegetarian fare, and it’s surprisingly excellent alongside rare red meats. This wine will develop gracefully over the next 7 to 12 years.”
Trophy & Gold Medal, Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2024
Trophy & Gold Medal, Adelaide Hills Wine Show 2024
Gold Medal, Berlin Wine Trophy, Germany 2025
Gold Medal Winewise Championship 2024
Three Trophies & Gold Medal, Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show 2025
93 points, Ryan Montgomery, JamesSuckling.com ““Generous aromas of white peaches, yellow apples, white pepper, fresh herbs, guavas, Asian pears, slate and spices. The palate is plush and rounded, with a slight phenolic grip, fresh acidity and a mineral-edged and well-balanced finish. Nicely constructed, with lovely purity.”
Top 100 Wines of 2024, Nick Ryan, The Weekend Australian “Larry Jacobs and Mark Dobson are stepping away from Hahndorf Hill and into well-earned retirement, so it’s timely to acknowledge the role these two played in pioneering gruner veltliner in this country. This wine validates their unwavering faith in the variety. It’s packed tight with pear skin and grapefruit, a touch of quince too, and liberally sprinkled with peppery spice. It’s a delicious legacy to leave.”
RRP $38 Our Special Price $27.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine
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