Handcrafted organic Wines
The Kalleske family have been farming and growing grapes in Moppa near the village of Greenock since 1853. They are one of the region’s leading grape-growing families consistently growing some of the Barossa’s best quality grapes. After six generations of growing grapes, winemaker and seventh generation family member, Troy Kalleske, together with his brother Tony, established the Kalleske winery and made the first ‘Kalleske’ wine. The winery is situated on the family estate where traditional winemaking techniques ensure the vineyard realises its full potential as wine.
All Kalleske wines are estate grown and vinified with minimalist winemaking techniques used to fully capture the essence of the vineyard allowing genuine handmade estate wines to be produced. The range is a diverse mix of wines that showcases the splendid Kalleske grapes.
Wines from Kalleske have been seven generations in the making, but they are certainly worth the wait!
Winemaker: Troy Kalleske
Troy Kalleske is the winemaker and co-owner of Kalleske. He’s a seventh generation Barossan and in 1999 Troy graduated with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Oenology) Degree from the University of Adelaide, achieving a distinction average. Troy was the first Kalleske to venture into the field of winemaking and during his studies Troy was awarded no less than three scholarships, including the prestigious South Australian Wine and Brandy Industry Association Medal for Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Oenology).
Following university, Troy was selected for the Southcorp graduate winemaker program where he gained valuable experience winemaking at Seppelt Great Western, Lindemans, Penfolds and Seppeltsfield fortified winery. On completion of the graduate winemaker program, Troy continued winemaking for Southcorp at Penfolds, Barossa Valley. Troy has also completed a vintage with Rolf Binder at Veritas Winery and Miranda Wines, and in keeping with the increasingly global wine business he left Australia and gained valuable international knowledge of the industry as Harvest Enologist for Kendall-Jackson at Vinwood Cellars in Geyserville, Sonoma County.
In 2002, after 149 years of farming and grape growing by Troy’s family, Troy and his brother, Tony, took the next step and established the Kalleske winery. Troy was the first Kalleske to pursue winemaking after seven generations.
Troy has received numerous accolades in recent years with one of the most prestigious being the “2008 Barossa Winemaker of the Year” title awarded by the Barons of Barossa. Troy is rapidly gaining recognition as one of the Barossa’s and Australia’s best young winemakers.
Kalleske Johann Georg Shiraz
Johann Georg Shiraz is a single vineyard wine produced from the oldest vineyard on the Kalleske farm, planted in 1875, that produces very low yields from gnarly, dry grown vines. The wine is a tribute to Johann Georg Kalleske, the first Kalleske ancestor to migrate to Australia from Prussia in 1838.
The old vine fruit is open-top fermented, basket pressed and matured in new and used French and American hogsheads for two years prior to bottling. A powerful, but elegant wine of great sophistication showing flavours of dark berries, cured meats and savoury spice. The full-bodied muscular palate is rich and dense with finely textured tannins and fleshy dark fruit. A generous finish completes this magnificent wine that will benefit from a decade or more in the cellar.
Kalleske Eduard Shiraz
In 1838 Karl Heinrich ‘Eduard’ Kalleske and his three siblings together with their parents Johann Georg and Johanne Dorothea migrated from Prussia. They landed in the newly established colony of South Australia and in 1853 they settled at Greenock in the North-Western Barossa Valley and established our Kalleske farm. Eduard and his wife Anna ‘Rosina’ worked the Kalleske vineyard until the 1880s when their son took over the reins.
Today, six generations later those old vines are still prospering, thanks to the foresight and hard work of our ancestors. We dedicate this wine to Eduard which is from a selection of old vine Shiraz vineyards planted on our Kalleske property between 1905 to 1973. Hand winemaking and two years maturation has resulted in a stunning old vine wine destined for long term cellaring.
Kalleske OLD VINE GRENACHE
Kalleske Old Vine Grenache is made from the oldest Grenache vineyard on the Kalleske estate, a low yielding, single vineyard planted in 1935. Situated on the outskirts of Greenock in the North-Western Barossa Valley, the Kalleske’s have been farming this property for over 160 years and the vineyard is now tended by sixth and seventh generation family members.
Following the picking of these dry-grown Grenache grapes, they were fermented in open fermenters and then gently pressed in our estate winery. An intense, rich and robust Barossa Grenache with plenty of exotic flavours, a layered palate, harmonious balance and solid structure which will benefit from cellaring.
Kalleske GREENOCK SHIRAZ
Greenock Shiraz is a single vineyard wine produced from low yielding Shiraz vines on the Kalleske estate at Greenock, in the North-Western Barossa Valley. Cuttings for these vines originate from a vineyard planted on the property in the late 1800s.
Today, sixth and seventh generation family members meticulously tend the vines. Traditional winemaking and maturation in American and French oak hogsheads has ensured a complex, full-bodied Shiraz which will reward long term cellaring. Greenock Shiraz is a true family estate wine – grown, vintaged and matured on the Kalleske estate.
Together with Old Vine Grenache, the 2022 vintage celebrates the 21st birthday of Greenock! Both wines were made in our inaugural Kalleske crush, 2002. This 2022 Greenock Shiraz is a terrific wine and fitting release for 21 years of age.