Torbreck Masterclass With Ian Hongell

Torbreck Vintners was already one of Australia’s best-known producers of high-quality red wine when, in Sept 2013, wealthy Californian entrepreneur and vintner Peter Kight (of Quivira Vineyards) acquired 100% ownership of the business. Talented winemaker Ian Hongell joined the team in '16. Shiraz (and other Rhône varieties) is the focus, led by The Laird, RunRig, The Factor and Descendant. JAMES HALLIDAY

In the space of less than 5 years, chief winemaker Ian Hongell has transformed one the Barossa’s most prestigious estates. He is a grower and winemaker with an immense depth of experience garnered from stints making wine abroad as well as at home in the Barossa and almost two decades at Peter Lehman Wines where he rose to the rank of Chief Winemaker.

He has brought to Torbeck a special touch that captures all the intense power and full-throttle flavours of Barossa but delivers them with wonderful detailing, persistence, focus and freshness. His emphasis is in the vineyard working with some of the country’s oldest vines and his insightful and considered approach in the winery has taken the wines of Torbreck to the next level and to the top of echelons of not only Barossa but Australian wine.

As far as the seemingly small but significant changes that Ian has made it truly is a case of the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Oak use in the winery has moved to a much smaller proportion of new, no American, and a trend towards the use of foudre and larger format. Ian has bought temperature control to the barrel rooms as well as an astute focus on vineyard work.

As Ian has said he wasn't joining the team "to change it all or revolutionise it" but "come in and be part of the fabric". The results speak for themselves with a level of refinement and detail in the latest releases that are impressive to say the least. The future looks incredibly bright for Torbreck.