Hill of Roses is named as a tribute to Johann Gottlieb Rosenzweig (translating from German to ‘rose twigâ€?, a member of the early Barossa Lutheran community who settled at Parrot Hill in the Eden Valley. Their toil, perseverance and conservatism in hardship has meant that the many generations that followed have rejoiced in the riches of those efforts. This wine is produced from a small selection of low-yielding, dry-grown shiraz vines from the Hill of Grace Vineyard, planted as a nursery block in 1989. The planting is known as the ‘Post Office Blockâ€?after the historic Parrot Hill Post Office ruins overlooking the vineyard. These vines were a mere 12 years old when the wine was first produced in 2001 and at present are too young to be considered for inclusion in the Hill of Grace vintages. As per the Barossa Old Vine Charter, an ‘old vineâ€?is equal to or greater than 35 years of age. The quality of the grapes from this selection, however, has produced a wine that has warranted a separate bottling and limited release.
