Penfolds

In the world of wine, few names carry as much influence and prestige as Penfolds. As one of Australia's largest and most renowned wine producers, it was founded in 1844 (approximately 180 years ago) by the Penfolds family, English immigrants who settled in Adelaide, South Australia. The journey of Penfolds is not just about winemaking; it's a tale of dedication, innovation, and creation that has transformed the landscape of global wine history.

The Beginning of Penfolds : From Doctor to Wine Pioneer

Eight years after the discovery of the Australian continent, Dr. Christopher Rawson Penfold, an English physician, and his wife, Mary, emigrated from England to Australia. They purchased 500 acres (approximately 1,265 rai) near Adelaide, South Australia, to establish their new home.

Upon settling, Christopher and his wife developed an interest in winemaking, having studied the craft previously. They applied their knowledge to cultivate French grape varieties they brought with them on their estate, which they named Magill Estate.

During the initial phase of wine production, Mary Penfold fully managed the vineyard and winemaking process, as Christopher continued his medical practice concurrently. Their first type of wine produced was Fortified Wine, in the styles of Sherry and Port.

As demand for wine grew over time, they expanded their vineyard and officially established their wine company in 1844. They then began producing white wine from the Riesling grape, a popular choice in Australia at the time. The launch of their Riesling quickly brought Penfolds significant success.

The Era of Mary Penfold : Elevating Quality to Leadership

In 1870, Christopher passed away, leaving Mary to manage the business alone. Nevertheless, she remained committed to producing high-quality wines. She experimented with various grape varieties and incorporated new winemaking techniques. This dedication allowed Penfolds to offer a diverse range of wines that consistently earned a reputation for quality, making Penfolds one of Australia's largest wine producers by the early 20th century.

The Turning Point to Legend: Penfolds Grange by Max Schubert

A pivotal moment for Penfolds arrived in the mid-20th century when Max Schubert, a gifted winemaker, joined the company as its first Winemaker. He harbored a strong desire to produce high-quality red wines comparable to French wines and to gain global recognition.

In 1951, Max experimented with producing a rich and long-aging red wine from 100% Shiraz grapes, inspired by French winemaking techniques. He challenged the conventional belief that Australia could only produce light, fruit-driven wines by introducing Penfolds Grange (Bin 95). This wine was a rich, complex red, boasting aromatic notes of fruits like blueberry and blackcurrant, alongside various herbs.

Max named this wine "Grange" after Grange Cottage, the first home of Penfolds' founders, Christopher and Mary.

Initially, Penfolds Grange did not immediately gain widespread popularity in Australia. However, by 1960, the wine grew in prominence, becoming one of the most expensive wines in Australia and earning international acclaim, highly sought after by wine collectors worldwide.

The Legend of "Bin" : A Code of Quality

Over time, Penfolds continued to release Penfolds Grange almost every year, with each vintage highly coveted by wine collectors globally. The very first vintage, from 1951, is a rare edition that once fetched the highest price at auction: AUD 103,555 (approximately THB 2,397,588).

Many might wonder why Penfolds wines use the term "Bin" instead of a vintage name, such as Bin 1 and Bin 4. The term Bin (short for Batch Identification Number) refers to a storage location (BIN) within the Penfolds Magill Estate cellar. The number following "Bin" acts as an identification code for each wine type, allowing the winemaking team to easily classify wines by type and style. For instance, Bin 1 was the very first Penfolds Grange, produced in 1951 (later changed to Bin 95), and Bin 4 was the 1952 vintage of Penfolds Grange.

As for Bin 2, which many might frequently see, it is another type of Penfolds red wine made from Shiraz and Mataro grapes, not classified as Penfolds Grange. This is because Bin numbers are not sequential by production year and are not exclusive to Penfolds Grange. Therefore, "Bin" is not a vineyard or production site name but simply a code established by Penfolds' own system, which has no fixed rules, depending on the producer's choice of number.

Diversity Beyond Grange and an Unyielding Future

Beyond Grange, Penfolds offers a diverse range of internationally acclaimed wines that showcase the versatility of Australian wines. These include Bin 389 Cabernet Sauvignon, Bin 28 Shiraz, Bin 23 Pinot Noir, Bin 8 Shiraz Cabernet, Bin 98 Quantum Cabernet Sauvignon, Bin 149 Cabernet Sauvignon, and Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon (the model number of which was inspired by the Boeing 707, the world's first commercial jet airliner).

Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, Penfolds continued to expand and innovate. The company acquired several vineyards across South Australia, including in regions like Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Coonawarra, to further increase its wine production.

Stepping into the 21st century, despite its immense success, Penfolds has never rested on its laurels. In 2012, Penfolds unveiled its most groundbreaking project of the era: the Kalimna Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2004. This rare item wine, with only 12 bottles existing globally, is encased in hand-blown glass. The wine inside is Kalimna Cabernet Sauvignon from Block 42, a rare last vintage from 1994. It is said that to drink this wine, the Chief Winemaker of Penfolds must personally fly to open it for you.

Currently, Penfolds has expanded its operations globally, establishing strong footholds in key markets across the United States, Europe, and Asia, and continues to be a leader in premium wine, producing a wide array of high-quality vintages.