Chris Ringland, North Barossa Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia, 2018

Producer Profile

Chris Ringland came from humble beginnings. Growing up in Auckland, in 1974 he decided to have a go at home winemaking after finding an old recipe book, and together with some schoolmates harvested his neighbours’ backyard vines.

Interested in learning more about the science and history of winemaking, in 1977 he applied to the university of Adelaide and was accepted on the oenology degree course at Roseworthy College. After graduating, Chris returned to New Zealand for a few vintages before travelling to California to gain more experience. Working for Rockford Wines in Barossa Valley for 18 vintages, he had the opportunity to purchase his own vineyard. Chris had already established a winemaking project, Three Rivers Shiraz, in 1989, utilising parcels of fruit purchased from various growers, In 1995 he was able to continue with Shiraz harvested from the 100-year-old vines on his Stone Chimney Creek property, high in the Barossa Ranges of Eden Valley. At this point he changed the name from Three Rivers to Chris Ringland Shiraz, and with the release of the 1998 vintage Chris Ringland Winery was born.

Viticulture

The North Barossa Shiraz is a blend from 14 growers around the Ebenezer sub-region in the North of the Barossa. Neighbours, friends and relatives of the Hoffmann Family make up the group, many having tilled the land for three or more generations.

Winemaking

Extended maturation sees the wine aged in 20% new & 80% seasoned oak for up to 4 years, the 2018 receiving 50 months in barrel prior to blending and bottling under cork.

Tasting Note

Vigneron Adrian Hoffmann and winemaker Chris Ringland have been working together for more than 25 years to develop the Hoffmann Vineyard signature labels; Reservation Shiraz, North Barossa Shiraz, Dimchurch Shiraz and Hoffmann Vineyard Shiraz.