INTRODUCING
This special release from the Schrapel Family Selection commemorates the dedication of Lawrence & Edna Schrapel who, after many years of toiling in the vineyards, passed the stewardship of the property to their sons, the present winemakers of Bethany wines, Geoffrey & Robert. The fresh, vibrant aromas of wild berries, clove and spice carry onto the full flavoured palate. Tastes of rich varietal flavours of blueberries and plums balanced with fine grain tannins and natural acidity.
I have been looking for the right partner in the Barossa Valley for 2 years. Staying true to what we’re about, I wanted to work with a family producer, who make wines which are quite different to what people would expect from the region. We first met Geoff Schrapel of Bethany Wines in June 2014 and continued talking until we were appointed the UK distributor for Bethany Wines in November 2015.
The Schrapel’s are wonderful people and they make terrific wines. Forget about the over-extracted reds, with too much new oak and alcohol levels of 16% that are common from the region. The Bethany wines are considered and elegant and are not rushed to market. For example after their oak maturation, the Estate reds spend a year in bottle before release ensuring they are ready for drinking.
The Schrapel family settled in Bethany (the Barossa’s first settlement) in 1844 and planted vines in 1852. Back then they were winegrowers and it wasn’t until 1981 that brothers Geoff and Robert established Bethany Wines. The business remains in family ownership with the fifth and six generations working in the business. The Bethany vineyards are to the South East of the town of Tanunda and have a slightly higher elevation and benefit from the cool breeze which floats over the hill from the Eden Valley. They own some of the oldest Grenache vines in the Barossa which are 100 years old. The Bethany wines are elegant and have a lovely freshness, which is not so common in the Barossa.
Everyone I have talked to about Bethany, not only raves about their terrific wines, but also of what wonderful people the Schrapel family are. We can’t wait to develop their sales in the UK and welcome them into our portfolio.
BETHANY
Barossa Valley
LIMITED EDITION, RESERVE, SHIRAZ
Barossa & Eden Valley
13.5% abv
New French oak barrels for 12 months
ESTATE, RIESLING
Eden Valley
11.5% abv
Unoaked
ESTATE, SHIRAZ
Barossa Valley
14.5% abv
French and American oak for two years
Crafted by fifth generation Schrapel family winemakers, this Eden Valley Riesling has a distinctive floral aroma, loads of varietal flavour, an excellent balance of natural acid and a lingering, crisp, finish.
Deep, vibrant red black in colour and showing a wonderful bouquet of dark forest fruits. The plate is elegant yet full flavoured whilst the lingering finish is a delightful blend of varietal fruit, spicy overtones and restrained oak characters. Picked from hand pruned vines grown along the Barossa foothills this wine displays all the classic characteristics one expects from a premium quality Barossa shiraz.
GR RESERVE SHIRAZ
Barossa Valley
15% abv
18 months in New and older French hogsheads
The nose shows fresh, vibrant plum and blackberry aromas which extend to the full varietal flavours on the palate. A richly structured wine displaying an excellent balance of fine grain tannins and natural acidity. Made from very old, low yielding vines on the Schrapel family and neighbouring vineyards in the Barossa, harvested at optimum flavour development and complexity. An outstanding, super premium quality Shiraz, this wine clearly indicates why this style of Australian wine is sought after and highly regarded by serious wine lovers all around the world.
...."The Schrapel family settled in Bethany (the Barossa’s first settlement) in 1844 and planted vines in 1852. Back then they were winegrowers and it wasn’t until 1981 that brothers Geoff and Robert established Bethany Wines. The business remains in family ownership with the fifth and six generations working in the business...."
ESTATE, SEMILLON
Barossa
13% abv
Limited contact with French oak and a short period of lees stirring
Made from old vines grown on the family vineyards, the Semillon is very much in the Schrapel family tradition of championing food-friendly wines. The nose displays strong aromas of grapefruit with just a little lime. The palate is delicate and lemony with a refreshingly crisp finish - all of which indicates a potential for graceful bottle ageing.
ESTATE, CABERNET MERLOT
Barossa Valley
14% abv
American and French hogsheads for 18 months
Cabernet Sauvignon 58%, Merlot 42%
Excellent quality fruit with bright fresh fruit aromas and flavours with a great balance of natural acidity. The Cabernet Merlot boasts vibrant red fruit on both the nose and palate is supported by restrained oak.
ESTATE, OLD VINE GRENACHE
Barossa Valley
15% abv
French oak for two years
This is a wine of great richness, texture and complexity. Hand picked from old bush vines grown along the foothills of the Barossa Ranges. The nose displays aromas of fresh plums, blueberry and cherry notes. The palate is medium weight tasting of ripe cherries and raspberries balanced with hints of spice and a smooth tannin finish.
OLD QUARRY FRONTI
Barossa Valley
18.5% abv
Average of eight years in an old oak cask solera
This unique Old QuarryFronti is made from Muscadelle; Muscat a Petit Grains and Pedro Ximenez grapes grown on some of the oldest vines at the Homestead vineyard, harvested late in the season to achieve maximum flavour and intensity, then fortified with premium quality brandy spirit and aged for an average of eight years in an old oak cask solera. The finished wine displays a beautiful golden, amber colour and a bouquet and palate of caramelised fruit with nuances of orange marmalade.
OLD QUARRY TAWNY
Barossa Valley
18.5% abv
Old oak casks for an average of ten years
Made from the traditional Barossa tawny port varieties – Grenache and Shiraz and harvested late in the season to achieve maximum ripeness and complexity. After fortification with premium quality brandy spirit it is aged in old oak casks for an average of ten years. The bouquet displays intense raisin and nutty rancio characters which carry on to the mellow, dried fruit palate. The lingering finish is rich and full of flavour, with pleasant, well integrated tannins and brandy spirit.
