Welcome to this month’s edition of Instinctively Curious, the Two Hands Wines newsletter, where we share what’s happening in our world, from vineyard updates and new releases to behind-the-scenes stories and upcoming events.
IN CELLAR DOOR
2022 GARDEN SERIES RELEASE
Come visit us at Cellar Door to taste the newly released 2022 Garden Series Shiraz, with their brand new labels! As we celebrate 25 years of winemaking, the refreshed designs reflect the unique landscapes and familiar stories behind each wine—from Bella’s red earth of the Western Barossa ranges to Harriet’s pink Adelaide Hills sunsets. Though the labels have evolved, the wines remain true to their origins, showcasing the distinct terroir of six renowned South Australian regions. We can’t wait to share them with you.
Bella’s Garden Reviews:
“The Bella’s Garden has always been about fruit density for me…Plush and pure with fine, sandy tannins and a crème de cassis-like unctuousness to the finale. It’s consistently a cracking wine.” – 95 points, Dave Brookes, Wine Companion
“Full bodied and rich in the mouth with lashings of supple tannins and very long persistence. Trace of pleasant bitterness in the follow-through. A biggie that will age long-term.” – 95 points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review
“The inky 2022 Bella’s Garden Shiraz is saturated, positively dripping in purple fruit on the nose… It’s an epic wine.” – 94 points, Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate
MARANANGA MEANDER
Barossa Vintage Festival 2025
A huge thank you to everyone who came along to the Marananga Meander as part of the 2025 Barossa Vintage Festival! We loved sharing our little corner of the Barossa with you — from the great wine, food and good vibes.
It was fantastic to see so many people out and about, supporting local and soaking up the atmosphere and managing to avoid the rain (mostly). We hope you had as much fun as we did and discovered a few new favourites along the way. Thanks again for being part of it — we can’t wait to do it all again next time!
25 YEARS OF TWO HANDS WINES
Museum Release
This year marks 25 years of making wines here at Two Hands. To celebrate, we’re offering a rare blast from the past: a museum release of our Picture Series from the 2005 vintage.
Recently, Richard, Luke, and Peter revisited these wines and were thoroughly impressed with how beautifully they’ve matured after two decades. This limited 6-pack includes 2 bottles each of three iconic 2005 releases.
- 2 bottles of Fool’s Paradise – Adelaide Hills Nebbiolo
- 2 bottles of The Bull and the Bear – Barossa Valley Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2 bottles of Gnarly Dudes – Barossa Valley Shiraz
Available now for $210
IN THE VINEYARD
AUTUMN HAS ARRIVED
Autumn in the vineyard is a time of transition and reflection. With vintage now behind us, the vines begin to wind down after their busy season. Leaves shift to golden hues and start to fall, signalling the start of winter dormancy.
It’s a quieter, calmer period, but there’s still plenty to do — post-harvest soil care, composting, mulch spreading and preparing the vines for winter are all in motion before pruning begins. It’s also a chance for our vineyard team to assess the season just gone, learn from the challenges, and start planning for the year ahead.
IN THE WINERY
Whilst “vintage 2025” is officially complete, the winery team still have some post-vintage jobs that they are finishing up the jobs that will bring the season to a close. Firstly, we are now about 98% done with the secondary malo-lactic fermentation (MLF) process. This secondary fermentation is a process of converting the harder malic acid naturally occurring in wine into softer lactic acid, resulting in a deeper body, softer mouthfeel and added complexity, whilst also having the added benefit of additional wine stability.
Nearly all red wines and some white wines (such as Chardonnay and Viognier) undergo malolactic fermentation.
Along with the MLF process is the next and final stage of the winemaking for now, Rack and Return. This process is where we move the wine from a tank or barrel to another vessel by gently pumping off the liquid and leaving the solids made up of sediment and ‘gross lees’ behind. The wine is then returned to the original barrel for maturation. Racking is a very important, but time-consuming process and helps to better manage the tannin profile of our wines while also removing as much sediment and unwanted lees as possible, without the need for filtration.
This week we also farewell the last of our 2025 vintage casuals who stayed on a few weeks longer than the others: Jack, Antoine, Morgane and Andreas. They have been a great addition to our winemaking team, and we wish them all the very best for the future.
Quick last day of ‘school’ group pic for the 4 of them with the full-time crew!
Pictured left to right: Theo, Andreas, Jack, Richard, Harry, Morgane, Jett & Antonie
UPCOMING EVENTS!
MAY
Melbourne 25th Anniversary Dinner at Meat and Wine Co
29th of May – 6:30pm $190 per person
A private dinner at Meat and Wine Co Southbank
SOLD OUT
This dinner will include wines themed around 25 years of Two Hands Wines, hosted by Luke and Morgan.
There are few Southbank steak restaurants with quite the same effortless style, sophisticated atmosphere, and inviting warmth as The Meat & Wine Co. Located a short walk away from the bustling Melbourne CBD, & offers a modern and fine dining experience Our exceptional location covers three levels in Freshwater Place, where we overlook the city skyline of Queensbridge Square and the Yarra River.
LEARN MORE >>
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Melbourne Good Food & Wine Show
30th May – 1st June 2025
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Luke and Morgan will also be at the Convention Centre for the 2025 Melbourne Good Food & Wine Show. Visit us for a tasting in the Barossa Pavilion with neighbours Hentley Farm | Murray Street Vineyards | Elderton | Soul Growers | Chateau Tanunda | Brothers at War | Gibson | Tomfoolery and many more..
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JUNE EVENTS!
Sydney 25th Anniversary Dinner at Manly Pavilion
19th of June – 6:30pm $200 per person
Only 1 tickets left!
Join DTC Manager Luke and Marketing Manager Morgan at the highly requested Manly Pavilion for an unforgettable evening filled with fine dining, exceptional wines, and great company. A brand-new wine label will be unveiled, along with a label that has a cheeky nod to the Two Hands Scottish Highland cows!
LEARN MORE >>
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Sydney Good Food & Wine Show
20th June – 22nd June 2025
Sydney International Convention Centre
LEARN MORE >>
WINE CLUB
2022 FLAGSHIP SERIES
Wines that are included in your pack:
- 3 bottles of 2022 Ares Shiraz
- 1 bottle of 2022 Aphrodite Cabernet Sauvignon
- 1 bottle of 2022 Aerope Grenache
- 1 bottle of 2022 Adrestia Chardonnay
Want to join our Wine Club to gain access to events, discounts, exclusive access to the Two Hands museum collection, and pre-releases? Contact us below to join the 2022 Flagship Series.
JOIN WINE CLUB CONTACT US
SCORES & REVIEWS
2021 SPIRIT OF PLACE – 96 POINTS
Barossa Valley Shiraz – 100 YEAR OLD VINES!
“The 2021 Spirit of Place Shiraz hails from 103-year-old vines in the Barossa Valley. Aromatically, it leads with masses of black berry fruit, cherry, licorice, dark chocolate and star anise. In the mouth, the wine is inky and thick, the tannins embedded so deeply into the fruit that it is a challenge to determine where they start and finish. It is undeniably excellent, with black, silty tannins that settle, rather the inhibit. This comes from Ebenezer in Barossa, planted in 1918. It’s an astounding wine. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under Diam and wax.″ – Erin Larkin : Drink Date: 2025 – 2041
2018 Barossa Winemaker of the Year! – The Barons of Barossa come together in Tanunda, and a ceremony is held at Keil Garden and includes the announcement of Winemaker and Vigneron of the Year. Winemaker of the Year has been awarded since 1998.
Richard joined Two Hands in July 2019 and came with high praise from many present and past Barossa Winemakers. He has worked in the Barossa, Rutherglen, Hunter Valley, Mudgee and the South of France. Richard has a proven ability to work with viticulturists to ensure that quality begins and occurs in the vineyard. When not in the winery, you can find him enjoying the spoils of the great outdoors – fishing, bushwalking & camping with friends and family.
Favourite thing about the Barossa?
I like Eden Valley and being up in the hills. I live in Angaston, so it’s easy to get out that way. I spend a lot of time hunting, mostly deer and introduced feral animals. It’s a good mix of nice views and being out in nature.
Favorite Barossa restaurant?
Vintners. It’s a great spot and again close to Angaston. I worked with them a few years back on a game night; everything on the menu was hunted and gathered locally, and about 60 people came along. It was a great night.
How would you survive if you were on the TV show Alone Australia?
I wouldn’t go in with some big strategy or waste time fattening up or building a fancy shelter—it takes too long for something you don’t spend most of your time in. I’d focus on finding food and hunting straight away. But I can’t give away all my secrets!
Favourite classical music jam?
Anything by Beethoven, or change it up with a bit of Vivaldi, too.
Favourite Two Hands Wine?
The two Chardonnays, the 2021 Adrestia Chardonnay (currently Wine Club Only) & Hell Freezes Over from our Showroom Series
Early standouts from the 2025 vintage?
The 2025 Kraehe House Shiraz (the block next to our Cellar Door in Marananga) is super super impressive. Ticks all the boxes with big intensity, great tannin profile. That will be bottled in 18 months time and released in 2028. One to wait for! Mark your calendar.
Richard Landford, Chief Winemaker & Classical music nerd.
Blasting ABC Classic radio from the winery office for all staff to enjoy!
