Penfolds first entered the Barossa more than a century ago and has since forged an intrinsic and enduring bond with the South Australian winemaking region. Settled in the early 1840s, it is home to some of our most celebrated vineyards and features in many of our most revered wines.
The Barossa is comprised of two adjacent sub-regions - the cool and elevated Eden Valley and the warm Barossa Valley. Eden Valley notably contributes elegant and perfumed fruit to Bin 51 Riesling and St Henri Shiraz. Barossa Valley is home to the esteemed Kalimna, Koonunga Hill and Marananga vineyards, which produce fruit for a number of our iconic red wines, including Grange, Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz and Bin 28 Shiraz.
Growing demand
As demand grew for Penfolds wines through the late 19th century, winemakers began to seek out quality fruit beyond the immediate proximity of the Magill Estate winery. Grapes were known to grow particularly well in Barossa and were well suited to Penfolds fortified wine style of the time.
By the early 20th century, it was evident that a larger winery was required by Penfolds to meet demand, and given its significant role in fruit supply, the Barossa was the obvious destination. In 1911, a state-of-the-art winery was constructed at Nuriootpa and by 1920, the majority of production was taking place in the Barossa. By this time, Penfolds accounted for half of all wine sales in Australia.
