Special release marks vineyard's century of excellence

UPDATED

A special anniversary bottling from Grant Burge Wines celebrates the 100th anniversary of the much-loved Filsell Vineyard in the Barossa.

Originally planted in 1920, the Filsell vineyard is one of the oldest and most consistent in the region and only 6000 bottles will be available of the anniversary shiraz from the 2021 vintage.

The Grant Burge Filsell 100 will be available in 750ml bottles and presented in a 100% recyclable gift box at an RRP of $99.

The 2021 vintage provided even ripening and slow grape maturation leading to exceptional phenolic ripeness and colour, says winemaker Craig Stansborough, who says the wine has cellaring potential for 10+ years. 

The same vineyard, known for its bold fruit flavours, also provides fruit for the Grant Burge flagship wine: the Mescach Shiraz.  

Stansborough, head winemaker for almost a quarter of a century and a survivor of the purchase by Accolade Wines, suggests a food match of rib eye with portobello mushrooms and a rocket and blue cheese pesto.

The wine will be released this month - and I liked it a lot. It is gig, bold and cellarworthy, for sure, but it also has a certain swagger and sophistication, like James Bond,  maybe. But more Sean Connery than Timothy Dalton 

I enjoyed the dark inkyness, black berry and currant notes, well integrated oak and the power and length on the palate. 

See https://grantburgewines.com.au/

Alcott links with leading wine producer

Here's a good news wine story. 

Grant Burge Wines - part of the Accolade Wines group - has partnered with Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott AO to encourage all Australians to celebrate their ambitions, achieve their goals and leave their own mark on society.

Although now under different ownership, Grant Burge Wines has a Barossa history dating back to 1865. 

Under the Leave Your Mark brand - aimed at inspiring people to pursue their passions - Grant Burge Wines has linked up with Alcott, winner of four Paralympic gold medals and tennis grand slam winner. 

 In his new role as Grant Burge ambassador, Alcott shares his motivations, future aspirations and how he strives to leave his mark on society, focused on promoting equality across all abilities.

“I’m pumped to join the Grant Burge family and be part of Leave Your Mark, a campaign that shares my own desire to motivate people to be the best version of themselves and make a difference," Alcott says.

"It’s not about our past achievements or wins but what we are going to do next; being future-focused and striving to make a positive impact in what we do.”

As part of the brand alliance, Grant Burge is also an official partner of the Dylan Alcott Foundation - a charitable organisation with the purpose of helping young adults living with a disability to achieve their dreams and realise their full potential. 

To mark the partnership, Grant Burge will be donating $2 from select wine bottle sales later this year to establish tertiary education scholarships in conjunction with the foundation across the country, eliminating barriers to education and providing future work opportunities for all Australians.

“Importantly, at the heart of the Leave Your Mark campaign is the message that it’s not about our past achievements, but what we are going to do next," says Jack Glover, Marketing Director ANZ, Accolade Wines. 

For more information on the Grant Burge Leave Your Mark campaign, visit grantburge.com.au

Back to the future for Barossa wine legend Burge

Grant Burge and Ian Wilson, two young guns in their 20s, created the Krondorf wine brand in 1978. 

Just two years later the Krondorf Cabernet Sauvignon 1979 won the prestigious Jimmy Watson Trophy at the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards. Krondorf was established as a worthy  brand

Now, over four decades on, Burge is once more the owner of the Barossa winery, having sold his stake to Mildara Blass in 1986. 

It was an emotional purchase for the wine industry veteran. He and his wife Helen (above) live just 50 metres from the winery. 

It marks the third time in its history that Krondorf Winery has found itself in the Burge family’s hands. 

He re-purchased from Mildara Blass in 1999 and then sold to multinational Accolade Wines from whom he this week purchased the facility. 

“It’s a very special homecoming,” says Burge. 

“I have effectively bought back a significant part of my past, having first acquired Krondorf Winery– which, to add to the poignancy, sits alongside our family home in the Barossa – as a 27-year-old. 

"Now, at the age of 70, I’m looking forward to both the person and the wine ageing well.” 

The purchase will allow Burge Barossa – an integrated wine and tourism services company – to produce and bottle some 178,000 dozen bottles of white wine per annum for its growing contractor base, more than doubling previous output of 60,000 dozen and establishing the winery as a medium-size player in the region.

 

It further sees Burge Barossa invest some $1 million in a new, soon-to-be-constructed bottling plant and warehouse. 

The sale of Krondorf Winery follows Accolade’s decision some 12 months ago to close the site. 

Burge Barossa, with family roots in the region dating back more than a century-and-a-half, is privately owned by Grant and Helen Burge. 

The company also operates bed and breakfast properties Tanunda Cottages and Wilsford House.