Born in 1890, Fritz was a fourth-generation Barossan, deeply connected to the land his family had cultivated for generations. His grandson, David, continues this legacy, living on what was once the family’s orchard block. Fritz was more than just a member of the community—he was a cornerstone of it. ‘The Fritz’ pays homage to his dedication to the land, the vines, and the people around him. Crafted in his spirit, this wine is a tribute to tradition, resilience, and the rich history of the Barossa."

A masterful blend of Shiraz, Mourvèdre, and Grenache, ‘The Fritz’ balances depth and vibrancy. Dark fruit, floral notes, and hints of smoke and spice create a layered, medium-bodied wine with bright, lingering flavours. Best enjoyed slightly cool, its inviting aromas of spiced cherry, black plum, and charcuterie lead to a smooth, succulent palate. Immediately appealing yet age-worthy until 2034.

14.4% Alcohol
Picking date: Late-April 2023
Bottling date: 25 September 2024

The grapes were harvested, destemmed, and cold-soaked for 1-2 days to encourage the extraction of soft tannins, then fermented in small open fermenters. The resultant wine was aged in a mixture of shaved old American and French oak barrels allowing fruit expression to dominate the wine.

Analysis - 14.4% v/v Alcohol, pH 3.53 & TA 5.7g/L, no residual sugar (Dry).

Intensity, balance and colour were the hallmarks of Vintage 2023 in the Barossa Valley.

The 2023 vintage will be noted for its dry winter and even drier growing conditions. Despite a slightly warmer February than average, the fruit was hand-harvested over a two week period in late April to achieve fullness of flavour.

The grapes for this wine were grown on an ironstone ridge just west of Tanunda, planted around 1960, without a trellis or irrigation for the Mourvèdre and Grenache, with just a low single-wire “Australian sprawl” for the Shiraz with its less erect growth habit.

In a drying climate, irrigation was introduced recently to maintain vine-health, but the vines remain as Bush Vines and the original trellis for the Shiraz to this day.