Winemaker Notes
Two Hands Wines was founded in 1999 by Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz. Their aim was, and still is, to produce the best possible wines from prized Shiraz growng regions throughout Australia. "Quality without compromise" is a core value that drives all decisions from fruit and oak selection to packaging and promotion. Winemaker Matt Wenk has been with Two Hands since 2002 and, together with Michael Twelftree, oversees every aspect of the winemaking process. Their flagship Shiraz, Ares, represents the very best parcels in each vintage and is sselected through an intense barrel classification process. This blend of Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale Shiraz displays the incredible depth of flavor and balance that are hallmarks of this wine.
Historically and presently the most important wine-producing region of Australia, the Barossa Valley is set in South Australia, where more than half of the country’s wine is made. Because the climate is very hot and dry, vineyard managers work diligently to ensure grapes reach the perfect levels of phenolic ripeness.
The intense heat is ideal for plush, bold reds, particularly Shiraz on its own or Rhône Blends featuring Shiraz, Grenache, and Mourvèdre. Often Shiraz and Cabernet partner up for plump and powerful reds. While much less prevalent, light-skinned varieties such as Riesling, Viognier or Semillon produce vibrant Barossa Valley whites.
Most of Australia’s largest wine producers are based here and Shiraz plantings date back as far as the 1850s or before. Many of them are dry farmed and bush trained, still offering less than one ton per acre of inky, intense, purple juice.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Blends of Southern Rhône, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
