2022 Vineyard of the Year Awards
The Bon View Vineyard of South Australia’s Barossa Valley has been named a finalist in the Young Gun of Wine 2022 Vineyard of the Year Awards. These awards celebrate the vineyards and growers across the nation, and aim to strengthen the connection between the wine in the glass, the place it comes from, and the way the grapes are grown.
Located in northwest Barossa’s Ebenezer district and managed by Angela and Ralph Schrapel, the shortlisted vineyard produces grapes for Peter Lehmann Wines’ most premium ranges including Stonewell and The Masters’ Collection Mentor Cabernet Sauvignon.
The 2022 list had 26 finalists from South Australia, with the judges narrowing the selection to those that best exemplified the values of sustainability, innovation, provenance and growing great wine.
The Barossa grape-growing community is integral to Peter Lehmann and the wines we produce today. This philosophy dates back to when the winery was founded by Peter Lehmann himself and today he is still known as the man who saved the industry from ruin.The Schrapels have a special long-standing relationship with the Peter Lehmann family and winery - making it an exceptional accolade.
Angela has fond childhood memories of running around the Peter Lehmann winery. Alongside a 50-year friendship between Ralph’s father and Peter Lehmann, the Schrapel family has been a key grape supplier since the winery was founded in 1979.
The fruit from the Bon View Vineyards is often selected for the award-winning Stonewell Shiraz, and a small patch of the vineyard with Shiraz vines planted in 1885 by Ralph’s great-great-great grandfather makes the highly regarded Very Special Vineyard 1885 wine. The Shiraz grapes are often used in Black Queen Sparkling Shiraz. This uniquely Australian wine style is inspired by the groundbreaking 'Sparkling Burgundy' of the 1950s and made from Shiraz grapes from old-low-yielding vines.
The Schrapels’ strong work ethic, passion, and dedication has been passed down through the generations, with the family still very much involved in the Peter Lehmann winery.
For the first time in these awards, there will be an in-person trophy presentation after vintage – by June of 2023. The awards are designed to place vineyards and growers across the nation at the heart of the Australian wine story and community.
For more information visit: younggunofwine.com/top-vineyards/?award=2022
Photo Credit – Pete Thornton – WhatPeteShot