The Society's Australian Shiraz 2020

The historic Bleasdale vineyards were founded in 1850 by Frank Potts, who arrived in South Australia from Portsmouth, England in 1836. Potts spotted the potential of the rich alluvial soils of the area and the impact of the Bremer River on which the isolated, tiny town of Langhorne Creek region depends for flood irrigation. His sons and grandsons operated and built up the winery, and even today the fourth and fifth generation of the Potts family are still involved in the winemaking and running of the winery. Their property, much of which enjoys conservation status, offers a fascinating insight into the history of Australia’s early settlers.

The cellars at Bleasdale are a national monument, constructed from red gumwood and limestone, and some of the original winemaking equipment is still occasionally used. Nevertheless, the emphasis here is on using modern technology to produce wines of consistently high quality. Until the 1990s much of the region’s fruit went into multi-regional blends and it was only when a group of long-term family growers – including Bleasdale – started promoting 100% Langhorne Creek wines that the region became recognised in its own right.