Penfolds Winery
But try it for yourself!
Penfolds is a "national treasure" in Australia.
Originally founded in 1844 by Dr Christopher Rawson Penfold to produce tonic tonics for his medical practice, "Penfolds" quickly became a winery. Initially one of many - until Max Schubert came on the scene. This son of German immigrants had joined Penfolds as a teenager, worked his way up, travelled to France to study and then began experimenting with new wines in the 1950s. He was forbidden to do so by the board at some point, but he continued and sent his best wine, the so-called "Grange Hermitage" with the barrel identification number "BIN 95", to international competitions. The wine instantly became a symbol of a new style of wine and of the potential of Australian viticulture and Max Schubert, the first Chief Winemaker and the father of this new movement.
In contrast to the analyst and loner Schubert, who could spend days at a time in the company's cellars and laboratories, Peter Gago, Schubert's fourth-generation successor, is now the face of a large company. "I don't do any travelling in April and May, that's when the grapes come in and I see how the fermentation is going." Otherwise, the man probably has a Platinum Card from one or more frequent flyer programmes. Because in addition to all the masterclasses he runs and meetings with retailers and journalists, there is also the "Recorcing Clinic", which takes place annually at various locations around the world and where collectors can not only be sure of the authenticity of their Penfolds wines, but also receive a refill and a new cork - if necessary.
Penfolds, which today also produces wines in the USA and France, has long been a global player, but the classics such as the „Grange“, the „BIN 407“, the „St Henri“ or the „Magill Estate“ are among the best wines in the world in their class. This also applies to the wine that is our real introduction to the Penfolds character, the „BIN 28“.
© Images: Penfolds Winery
