EXPLORE THE CREATION PROJECT
An exploration of wine, place and artistic expression.
Each vintage, Chief Winemaker Andrew Quin creates a limited-release single block wine that reflects the individuality of the vintage and a selected vineyard block. Continuing Hentley Farm's longstanding collaboration with the Adelaide Central School of Art, a selected artist then interprets the wine's story through their own unique artistic practice, creating an original label for the release.
2024 SHIRAZ
Vineyard Selection: Q Block
Amid the richness and depth of the 2024 vintage, Q Block set itself apart. Carefully selected during classification by Chief Winemaker Andrew Quin for its poise, balance and elegance, this single block captures a refined expression of our Seppeltsfield Vineyard.
Neighbouring the Clos Otto vineyard, Q Block shares a similar sense of structure and refinement while remaining unmistakably its own. Beneath the vines, shallow red clay loam gives way to shattered limestone, shaping a Shiraz of vibrant red fruit, lifted aromatics and subtle slate-like minerality.
THE WINE: 2024 SHIRAZ
Wild forest berries, blueberry and raspberry lead the aromatics, layered with dark chocolate and delicate purple florals. Vibrant cranberry carries through the palate before unfolding into a long, layered finish of dusted cocoa, subtle slate and fine, persistent tannin.
2024 ARTIST: CASSIE THRING
Cassie Thring is a multidisciplinary Adelaide artist working across sculpture, painting, printmaking and installation. A graduate of Adelaide Central School of Art, her practice explores the richness and uncertainty of life through a distinctive combination of humour and tragedy.
2023 SHIRAZ
THE 2023 VINEYARD SELECTION: G BLOCK
This year the Shiraz grapes for The Creation 2023, were sourced from the middle rows of Seppeltsfield Vineyard’s G Block (the Clos Otto Block), specifically a parcel known as G2. Andrew and Siobhan started trialing whole-bunch in G2 from 2019 which greatly assisted the block and culminated in it being selected for the 2023 Creation.
G Block sits on an elevated eastern-facing slope, with north-south oriented rows rooted in very shallow red clay loam over hard clay. The site’s naturally reduced vine vigour produces fruit of exceptional concentration, delivering Shiraz with intense, vibrant character and a fine balance of power and elegance.
The Wine: 2023 Shiraz
The 2023 The Creation Shiraz opens with an expressive nose of fragrant red flowers, graphite, blackberry, and subtle hints of dark cacao and spice. The medium-bodied palate is layered with boysenberry, blackberry, nutmeg, and allspice, offering both depth and vibrancy. Fine tannins and a chalky edge frame the wine, leading to a long, elegant finish that lingers gracefully.
The Artist
Inspired by his time at Hentley Farm, artist Dr. Daniel Connell engaged deeply with the people behind the wine, spending time in conversation with the staff across the estate to uncover the human stories that shape the Hentley Farm experience. Through these exchanges, he created a series of portraits, honouring the individuals who contribute to every bottle.
The Voices Behind Hentley Farm
The Memory Maker
The Alchemist
The Growers
The Keepers
The Story Tellers
The Taste Makers
2022 SHIRAZ
THE 2022 VINEYARD SELECTION: D BLOCK
The Shiraz grapes for The Creation 2022 were sourced from the top 30 rows of Seppeltsfield Vineyard’s D Block, a parcel known as D1. These early-harvested grapes have been a key component in The Beast blend, providing a touch of elegance and balance to its intense tannins.
D Block is positioned on an elevated eastern-facing slope, with north-south oriented rows rooted in shallow soils over shattered limestone. These unique conditions create an ideal environment for producing vibrant and lifted Shiraz, marked by its elegance and balance.
The Wine: 2022 Shiraz
Each vintage, certain wines for The Creation distinguish themselves during classification for various reasons. This D-Block Shiraz captivated Chief Winemaker Andrew Quin with its exceptional elegance and balance. Amidst a vintage known for producing intense wines, it emerged as the most vibrant, lifted, and refined Shiraz.
The Artist
Inspired by visits to Hentley Farm’s Seppeltsfield vineyard, artist Jonathan Dady has channelled his mastery of line and perspective into a sequence of new works that each explore an elementary but profound sense of upward motion. These drawings use gestural, dynamic pencil marks to describe the way in which things are hoisted aloft or uplifted. This evocative sense of defying gravity marries well with the elevated palate of the 2022 vintage of The Creation.
2021 GRENACHE
THE 2021 VINEYARD SELECTION: C3 BLOCK
When benchmarking for the 2021 vintage began, a remarkable Grenache parcel from the C3 Block was quick to stand out. A mild growing season provided superb conditions for gradual flavour development, of which our winemakers were excited to declare ‘Grenache’ as the 2021 Creation Project.
The Wine: 2021 Grenache
The potential of this outstanding wine has been recognised and celebrated outside of the winery ahead of this single-block release. As a component of the 2021 Old Legend Grenache, this parcel shares in the accolades of the 2022 awarded Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy, along with ‘Best Grenache’ of the Royal Queensland Wine Show (2022), and ‘Best Grenache’ of the Sydney Royal Wine Show (2022).
The Artist: Mary-Jean Richardson
Mary-Jean Richardson is a South Australian-based artist whose practice is specifically motivated by the interplay of traditions and transgression via painting mobility, mutability and capacity for reinvention. Mary-Jean completed a Masters of Visual Art at the School of Art, Architecture and Design, University of South Australia, researching the legacy of eighteenth-century Gothic literary conventions within the ‘undead’ state of contemporary painting.
2020 SHIRAZ
THE 2020 VINEYARD SELECTION: J BLOCK
The Shiraz grapes for The Creation 2020 were solely sourced from J-Block on the Hentley Farm Estate. This block was planted by the local legend Otto Kasper and lies in the nutrient-rich soils of the eastern side of the Greenock Creek. This is directly opposite the Otto Vineyard blocks used for Clos Otto and H-Block. The rows of J-Block are planted in a North-South orientation in heavy loamy clay topsoil over red clay. These soil conditions allow for great water retention and a slow release of nutrients to the vines, ensuring that J-Block yields low crops and grapes of balance and power.
The Wine: 2020 Shiraz
Each vintage there are different reasons why wines for The Creation “pop out” during classification, and this 100% J-Block Shiraz stood out to Chief Winemaker Andrew Quin as being an elegant wine that boasts a complex fruit palate with pretty floral aromas.
With winemaking techniques of 25% whole bunch fermentation and 20 months maturation in only seasoned oak barrels, this wine showcases a perfect balance of savoury and confectionery flavours and floral and herbal aromas.
The Artist: Nicole Clift
Nicole Clift is a visual artist based in Tarntanya/Adelaide, who employs methods from drawing, printmaking, metal working and textiles within her practice to explore invisible forces such as time and gravity.
Unique to this years Creation project, Nicole’s ten unique label designs has been the inspiration behind a limited edition bespoke silk scarf.
