Wenzel Family Wines

History
The Wenzel Family first arrived in Australia in 1846 from the Hartz Mountains in Germany. They came by the steamship “Herjeebhoy Rustonjee Patel” from the Port of Bremen. They settled in Langhorne Creek in 1853, and since then 6 generations have lived there.

The Vineyards
The “Glenrowan” homestead was built by the Bray family in 1919 and purchased by the Wenzel Family in 1950. Glenrowan is situated on the unique flood plain of the Bremer River which has been extremely beneficial to the 13 Ha vineyard. Originally the Wenzel’s grew not only wine grapes, but fruit and nut trees and ran a dairy, but the property is now entirely vineyards. At the present time the oldest vines on the property were planted by Oscar and Hazel Wenzel in 1968, hence “The Old Man’s wine label evolved. For many years the vineyard relied on the annual winter floods as this was the only form of irrigation. Today floods are still welcome to help the vines perform to their maximum potential. Generally annual flooding will see the vines through the growing season.

In 1994 a second property “Glenburney”, originally settled by the Wenzel Family was purchased. Glenburney ‘s 40 Ha of cropping land has over the past 8 years become entirely vineyards.

Varieties grown on these two properties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Merlot and Petit Verdot.

Location
Langhorne Creek is situated on the banks of the Bremer River, and since the first plantings in the 1860’s Langhorne Creek has become one of Australia’s oldest and largest developing wine grape regions.

Deep, rich alluvial soils and the cooling lake breezes from Lake Alexandrina are the two major influences which help produce the intense full bodied red wines Langhorne Creek is best known for.

“Glenrowan” is 5 km south of the Langhorne Creek township on Step Road.

Wenzel Family Wines
From one generation to the next Glenrowan has been handed from father to sons. Successive generations of the Wenzel family respectfully refer to their father as the “Old Man”. In 2000 Wenzel Family Wines began the label “The Old Man’s”, with a Shiraz.

The Wenzel Family select the highest quality fruit from vines planted at Glenrowan on the traditional Langhorne Creek flood plain. There are 65 cases of Shiraz and 85 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon produced each year, with the current release being 2002. In 2004 the Wenzel Family Wines produced “The Old Man’s” Tawny Port, which has not yet been released.

The Old Man’s 2002 Shiraz comes from vines planted in the 1960’s, and is a full bodied wine that has matured for 18 months in American Oak barriques. This wine can be enjoyed now, or it can be cellared for 6 – 8 years to fully appreciate the distinctive Langhorne Creek style.

The Old Man’s 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from vines planted in the 1970’s. This wine shows rich, ripe characters with distinctive mint and blackcurrant flavours. The characteristics in the wine are true to the quality Cabernet style Langhorne Creek is renowned for.

Telephone, mail or email orders only as there is no cellar door sales outlet. Please see order form below. Delivery can be arranged. Private tasting can be arranged at a time suitable.

PO Box 140 Langhorne Creek SA 5255
T: 08 8537 3035
F: 08 8537 3035
E: glenrowan@adam.com.au