The Creation Project
Each year, our Chief Winemaker Andrew Quin creates a limited release single block wine that showcases the unique terroir diversity across the Seppeltsfield estate, and the characteristics of the vintage that was.
The Story
Originally under the familiar Hentley Farm white label, The Creation now has an original label created each vintage by artists from the Adelaide Central School of Art, to portray the individuality, style, and distinction of this iconic wine
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.
