Hennings Vineyard is part of a family owned farm that was established by Henning Rathjen in 1858. vines were first planted by Henning in the 1860’s and award winning wines were made at the property throughout his lifetime.
In the 1920’s the vineyard was abandoned in favour of broad acre farming. In 1998 Finlay and Darryl Rathjen, third and fourth generation descendants, reinstated the vineyard on the original site and once again Hennings historic cellar is stocked with the finest wine.
The Hennings vineyard is situated on the Eastern slopes of Mt Camel range in the exclusive strip of ancient Cambrian soil that stretches north from Heathcote. The soil is among the oldest in Australia and is richly red in appearance.
It is deep, well draining and very friable. The reliable warm climate combined with this soil produces grapes with unusual depth of colour and intense flavours. Hennings Vineyard produces small quantities of premium quality Heathcote Shiraz.
Traditional wine making techniques reflect the ethic employed in the vineyard of minimum intervention ensuring that the bewitching quality of the fruit retains its integrity. The resulting shiraz is a truly elegant wine with complexity and remarkable colour. Hennings’ historic cellar is unique to the Heathcote region.The cellar is open by appointment.
Shiraz, Viognier, Verdelho