Our first wine was already bottled before we discovered our great, great grandfather (Pietro D’Orsa) had planted vines nearby in the late 1800’s. We found six remnant vines and had them DNA tested to determine their origin. One vine remains a mystery so we planted a special vineyard from it. For this ancient survivor it will be a new spring, another youth, a sanguine rebirth. So that’s where our compulsion to make wine came from. It was in the blood all along.

To do justice to this heritage, we’ve kept aside some exceptional barrels of Shiraz to make this wine, an opulent, dark-crimson homage to our grand predecessor.

Dense inky black colour with a deep dark red black hue. Blackberry and liquorice aromas waft through the nostrils complimented by some toasty vanillin cedar, hints of mocha and peppered earth notes. The rich, large scaled palate features concentrated blackberry, liquorice black cherry and mocha like flavours over a smoky vanillin oak, scorched earth and blackpepper back drop. Possessing a sturdy yet polished tannin framework it has power aplenty and shows a refined opulence. Concludes long and peppery with a robust feel. Drink over the next 6-8 years. Alc. 14.8%

Other Reviews….. The '21 vintage was a ripper for Heathcote Shiraz. D'Orsa lifts a notch accordingly, revelling in a marriage of both power and finesse. Lifted and bold in aromas that speak of its location – ripe black fruits, anise, blackstrap licorice, Aussie bush scents, earth and herbs. Opens generously before assuming a fine tannin line emphasising integrated fruit and oak, texture and poise. Cambrian soils bring that special balance and mineral energy to this delightful shiraz. Drink by 2036. 96 Points Jeni Port – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion