This is the story of how a doctor with a passion for wine entered Australia's wine scene but it’s also the tale of how one particular wine from Penfolds would capture the hearts of wine lovers around the world.
'Grange' is a wine that stands shoulder to shoulder with some of the greatest wines in the world. Penfolds and Grange are inseparable, and their story cannot be told without the other. Penfolds is widely regarded as the most significant and dominant wine producer in Australia. Despite undergoing changes in ownership over the years, it has consistently maintained a high level of quality and steadily risen to the top since its founding in 1844.
In the mid-19th century, Australia was an open country for wine growing, and many settlers brought and planted cuttings to make wine. English Doctor Christopher Rawson Penfold and his wife Mary Penfold emigrated to Australia and planted their imported cuttings at the 100-hectare Magill Estate near Adelaide in 1844.
In 1948 the family hired an outside winemaker to reinforce the company's skills. The choice fell on Max Schubert, who would soon prove to be just the right man for Penfolds. Schubert became the company's man, and his innovative ideas paved the way for the company's vision to reach the next level. Penfolds' most vital wine, Grange, can only be attributed to his determined and innovative work over several years.
Today, Grange is Penfolds's original icon and most potent expression. It symbolizes how blending several vineyards and districts can create a glorious unity. Grange is Australia's most famous wine, but the road to fame has been paved with skepticism, condemnation, and thankfully, a great deal of perseverance.
When Grange was first presented, Max Schubert received this comment from a respected taster "Schubert, I congratulate you. A very good, dry port, which no one in their right mind will buy - let alone drink."
Had Max Schubert not been so determined about the high quality of the wine, the whole adventure of Penfolds Grange could have collapsed right there. Fortunately, he was a stubborn man and in 1951 the first vintage was produced. It was rejected the first time Max Schubert presented his new star to the owners and other talented tasters. It was certainly not the reception Max Schubert had wanted yet he was still patient, determined and persistent to prove them wrong. The owners of Penfolds even demanded that he stop production. Yet, he was so sure of his project that he hid his production in the cellar for several years.
Fortunately, Jeffrey Penfold Hyland was on his side. Jeffrey was in charge of production at Penfolds and allowed the secret production. It was not until the first vintage was ten years old that it had the quality to convince the owners at Penfolds to continue with is dream. From there, Max Schubert got the green light to push forward with the production of Grange.
This marked the beginning of what would become the most iconic and important Australian wine - Penfolds Grange. It became a beacon of our wine industry and the wine that put Australia on the global wine map.
The World of Wine encourages every Australian wine collection to include a parcel of Penfolds Grange in the cellar. This wine is tightly coiled in its youth and requires time to fully reveal its true character. We recommend cellaring it for at least 15-20 years before enjoying. Notable vintages to explore include 1971, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1998, 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2018.
