Brilliant wines among historic vines
You’ll find Langhorne Creek in a peaceful pocket of the Fleurieu Peninsula, less than an hour’s drive south east of Adelaide. A stone’s throw from the shores of vast Lake Alexandrina, it’s a flat, picturesque region of neat vineyards, old river red gum trees and a friendly country town. But this serene scene belies an exciting wine discovery: Langhorne Creek is home to some of Australia’s finest red wines.
Langhorne Creek produces more wine each year than McLaren Vale and almost as much as the Barossa, but for many years this historic region flew under the radar. Now the lid’s been lifted. A growing number of visitors are uncovering the local treasures, soaking up the scenery and indulging in regional produce. And despite the region’s premium-wine credentials, it remains a down-to-earth place powered by a close-knit winemaking community who welcome visitors with open arms.
There’s a proud history of family-owned vineyards and wineries here, and sixth-generation grape-growing families still work the land. The world’s oldest accredited Cabernet Sauvignon vines continue to flourish at the Metala vineyard. The region’s first vines were planted back in the 1850s by Frank Potts, an Englishman who came to South Australia when it was founded in 1838. He’d lived a life of travel and exploration, joining the navy at age 9 to carry gunpowder to ships’ cannons, and later circumnavigating the globe. He brought this spirit of adventure to Australia, buying land in Langhorne Creek and establishing Bleasdale vineyard and winery.
Today this Heritage-listed winery is still in the hands of the Potts family. It’s one of Australia’s most awarded small wineries, in part thanks to Chief Winemaker Paul Hotker. Paul is also at the forefront of a trend to make fresher, more vibrant wines that suit the lighter style of food many Australians eat these days. A passionate yet humble ambassador for Langhorne Creek, he knows this quiet-achiever region intimately and he uses his insight to create new wines and new styles that are taking Bleasdale, and Langhorne Creek, to the next level.
A long winning streak
Just how good are Langhorne Creek wines? In 2018, Bleasdale took home the coveted Max Schubert Trophy for Most Outstanding Red Wine at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show for their 2016 Generations Shiraz. It was one in a very long list of national and international awards for Langhorne Creek.
The previous year, 2017, was another big one for accolades. Paul Hotker was named 2018 Winemaker of the Year and Rebecca Willson of Bremerton Wines was a finalist in the Gourmet Traveller Winemaker of the Year awards. Rebecca and her sister Lucy, Bremerton’s Marketing Manager, were the first sisters in Australia to run a winery. They now produce classics such as Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon as well as an exciting line-up of alternative varieties including Verdelho, Fiano, Tempranillo, Barbera and Malbec. They export globally but some of their wines can only be bought in their intimate cellar door.
As well as being a hub for alternative varieties, Langhorne Creek is famous for its classic Australian reds, especially vibrant Shiraz and full-flavoured yet soft and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon, and a signature style that blends the two together. Another standout is Malbec, a red variety whose star is on the rise in Australia. It was actually one of the first varieties Frank Potts planted and today Paul Hotker is putting a modern stamp on this bold, barbecue-friendly red.
In many ways Langhorne Creek is a typical Australian: hardworking, humble and full of charm. With its threads of tradition and bright future, not to mention prize-winning wines, it’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in an authentic Australian wine experience.
