About
With Map In Hand, He Created the Beauty and the Beast With a 1954 soil map in hand, Keith Hentsche traced the curves of the land, his vision set on uncovering the story hidden beneath the soil. That story would become Hentley Farm—a meticulously designed wine estate in Barossa Valley—and gave rise to two iconic wines: The Beauty and The Beast. This is a tale where science meets artistry, and where terroir becomes the author of contrasting expressions. Just as in the classic fairytale, Beauty and the Beast embody two halves of a whole, their differences highlighting the depth of their connection. Here, however, the magic lies not in an enchanted castle, but in the earth itself. Planted just 200 meters apart using the same clone, these wines are a masterclass in how terroir shapes flavor. Together, they tell the story of Hentley Farm’s pursuit of excellence—where the land speaks, and those who listen craft something extraordinary
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People
Founded in 1997 by Keith and Alison Hentschke, Hentley Farm reflects their vision to craft exceptional single-estate wines showcasing the Barossa Valley’s unique terroir. Keith, an agricultural scientist, spent years studying soil maps and exploring the land before planting the estate. Using an old soil map from the 1950’s to strategically locate the best parcels of land, Keith discovered a mixed farming property set among the rolling hills on the banks of Greenock Creek in Barossa’s western part of the valley, with remarkable diversity of soil types, and varying aspects and altitudes. His commitment to precision viticulture and his team’s passion for winemaking have earned Hentley Farm a reputation for producing Shiraz wines of power and finesse.
Place
Hentley Farm’s vineyards unfold in the rolling hills of western Barossa Valley, alongside the meandering Greenock Creek. The extreme diversity of soil, aspect, and altitude across the property provided both an opportunity and a challenge which required meticulous planning for the layout of the vineyards. Specifically regarding varietal and clonal selection, row spacing, orientation, trellising, and water management. Keith and his team created ‘viticultural blocks’; dividing the single vineyard into nine blocks based on similar soil type, aspect and climate. Each block was then further divided into a collection of rows, depending on changes in the soil, aspect and micro-climates. The result is wines that speak vividly of their place—capturing the warmth of the sun, the cool breath of the creek, and the complex beauty of Barossa’s landscape.
Culture
Hentley Farm is Barossa—through and through. From the outset, Hentley Farm’s Keith Hentschke was focused on making his Shiraz-focused winery not just iconic in South Australia’s Barossa Valley but globally. Keith had very specific intentions when he decided to create his own wine brand. Its focus would be to best express the terroir that has made this region famous with elegant, distinct wines. So, from the ground up, he developed Hentley Farm vineyard and winery in the western Barossa, as well as a restaurant on site to fully complement the Barossa experience. From Keith and Alison’s first steps on the property, to every harvest that followed, the land is not just where the vines grow, it became home.
