d’Arenberg wines

The d’Arenberg winery is nestled in the rolling hills of McLaren Vale, about 38 kilometres south of Adelaide. This area enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with moderate rainfall and warm summers tempered by ocean breezes – perfect for grape cultivation.

Several d’Arenberg vineyards are scattered across McLaren Vale. The winery takes full advantage of the region’s diverse geography and soil types to create unique and complex wines. It cultivates a wide range of grape varieties, including Grenache, Shiraz, Viognier and Chardonnay.

McLaren Vale is home to some of the oldest vines in Australia, with some dating as far back as 1850.

The d’Arenberg winery was founded in 1912 by Joseph Osborn. The first vintage was harvested in 1913, with the grapes worth $20 per tonne – a staggering amount in the early 1900s. The winery and label were named after Joseph’s daughter-in-law, Frances Helena d’Arenberg – his son Frank’s wife.

In 1957, Francis d'Arenberg 'd'Arry' Osborn took over operations. At 16, he left school to start working in the winery. Under his guidance, d’Arenberg entered a modern era, expanding its plantings to include new varieties and celebrating the use of traditional methods.

Wine was produced in small batches and the basket pressing method was used to extract juice from the grapes for both red and white wines.

The winery’s first tasting room was opened in 1965, followed by another in 1966. Chester Osborn, the current Chief Winemaker, took over from his father, d’Arry, in 1984. He oversaw the first international shipment in 1988 and opened the winery’s first restaurant in 1996.

In 2012, the d’Arenberg winery celebrated its 100th birthday with a year of celebrations and events worldwide.

Chester Osborn is the current Chief Winemaker at d'Arenberg. He is known for his winemaking expertise and love of colourful shirts. His creativity goes well beyond his eye-catching fashion choices – Chester constantly pushes winemaking boundaries, simultaneously paying homage to d’Arenberg’s heritage whilst adding the distinctive flair that the label has become renowned for.

Chester Osbourne is a fourth-generation Osborn. He is also the designer of the breathtaking d’Arenberg Cube , a modern, geometric, multi-use building that offers panoramic views across the McLaren Vale region.

d’Arenberg is globally renowned for producing rich, vibrant, premium wines. Their signature style is similar to wine from France’s Rhone Valley. The ranges offered include robust Shirazes, balanced Chardonnays and complex Grenache blends.

One of the flagship wines is The Dead Arm Shiraz – a powerful and full-bodied red that gets its name from a fungal disease that causes vine dieback. This structured wine was first released in 1993 and is credited with rocketing d’Arenberg to international acclaim. Look for complex notes of dark fruits, liquorice, tangy balsamic and fennel.

d’Arenberg wines are grouped into ranges, such as:

• The Icons – This features The Dead Arm Shiraz, alongside The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon and The Ironstone Pressings GSM.

• The Nobles – A selection of dessert wines.

• The Artisans – Fragrant styles that age well.

• The Socialites – A pair of red and white sparkling wines.

Besides their delicious flavours and premium quality, d’Arenberg wines are also known for their unconventional names and label designs. Some of the most popular include The Dead Arm, a decadent Shiraz, and Pollyanna Polly, a sparkling white.

Chief Winemaker Chester Osborn comes up with unusual and creative names, taking inspiration from a wide variety of sources, including historical moments, family members, dictionaries and scientific papers.

Each range of d’Arenberg wine showcases a unique label style, although every wine label features the signature red stripe cutting across the label’s design. It first appeared in 1959, inspired by the red and white striped school tie winemaker d’Arry Osborn wore as a child.

d’Arenberg has taken a number of steps to reduce its environmental impact over the last decade, including sourcing alternative energy.

Solar panels were installed in 2013, generating 20-30% of the electricity used on site. In 2014, Clydesdale horses were reintroduced to the property to pull harvesting equipment. This immediately lowered the winery’s emissions while also reducing the impact on the soil.

The d’Arenberg winery is open to the public. It is a short drive from McLaren Vale town and has a variety of attractions, including restaurants, a cellar door and the famous D’Arenberg Cube.

d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant was the winery’s first dining space, serving up seasonal dishes featuring local produce from Fleurieu Peninsula businesses. Singapore Circus is a colourful, more casual restaurant serving up South-East Asian inspired food.

The d’Arenberg Cube is a well-known and popular tourist attraction. It’s home to a number of attractions, including an award-winning restaurant, cellar door, wine sensory room and the Alternate Realities Museum. The glass building was designed to resemble a Rubik’s Cube, created in this shape to symbolise the complexity of winemaking.

The Cube and d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant are both available for private hire with a variety of packages available.