After establishing the South Australian Company, philanthropist and entrepreneur George Fife Angas employed Johannes Menge, gifted linguist and mineralogist, in the late 1830’s to explore the local colony above and below the ground. After his expedition, Johanne wrote to George detailing the Barossa as ‘The Cream, the Whole Cream and nothing but the Cream’. After this positive advice, George assisted the passage of an entire European community brought from various Prussian provinces including German speaking settlers from Silesia (now part of Poland), to set up a piece of the ‘Old World’ in the ‘New World’.
The settlers were orderly, hard working people. They cleared land for mixed farming, built churches and schools and planted small vineyards, some of which have remained in the same family name until this day. The Barossa we know today, is a 1,970 square kilometre region which encompasses the Barossa Valley and Eden Valley.
Clifton Estate Wines has four established vineyards spread throughout the Barossa representing all of the subregions within it:
Tanunda Vineyard:
- Kabininge is located on the Barossa Valley floor near Tanunda
- Planted by the family in 1987 and planted predominantly to Shiraz
- A warm to hot environment, about 270m above sea level and 500mm rainfall
- Great location for ripening full bodied red wines such as Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Northern Barossa Vineyard:
- Cooler, and with lower rainfall, these northern Barossa vineyards totaling 103ha, are at an elevation of between 380m and 410m.
- Rainfall 480mm
- Shiraz again is the predominant variety supported by Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec.
- Location influenced by outstanding quality fruit from nearby vineyards such as Kalimna.
Angaston Vineyard:
- Located in classic Barossa Ranges country near Angaston.
- Elevation of between 330m and 400m above sea level and rainfall of 545mm.
- Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot are planted here.
- Produce reds of true varietal flavour on the cooler end of the spectrum (Peppery Shiraz and elegant Cabernet)
Eden Valley Vineyard:
- Our coolest climate vineyard in the Barossa.
- Located in a sub region of the Barossa, Eden Valley.
- Northern facing slopes, tough soils and good viticultural management ensures this vineyard produces some excellent fruit.