The Barossa Valley holds one of the most extraordinary viticultural assets in the world: pre-phylloxera Shiraz vines, some planted as early as 1843, now 150-180+ years old. South Australia was never reached by the phylloxera louse that destroyed European vineyards in the 1860s-1880s, meaning these vines grow on their own roots (ungrafted) — producing ultra-low yields of intensely concentrated fruit. The Barossa Grounds initiative has identified seven distinct terroir zones within the valley. Penfolds Grange, Australia's most collectable wine, is built primarily on old-vine Barossa Shiraz.

Vintage assessments

Year	Rating	Notes
2023	86	Warm early season, cooler finish. Balanced ripeness. Traditional Barossa style producers delighted. Modern aromatic style performed well.
2022	88	Wet vintage, disease pressure managed by diligent teams. Lower alcohol style gaining traction. High-quality single-vineyard releases.
2021	90	Excellent recovery vintage. Well-distributed rainfall. Classic Barossa Shiraz with volume and depth. Eden Valley Riesling electric.
2020	84	Bushfire smoke from Black Summer affected some parcels. Better than expected in valley floor sites. Well-managed wineries produced clean fruit.
2019	78	Extreme heat and drought. Very small yields. Heat-stressed vines produced uneven quality. Some wineries declassified or sourced from cooler sub-regions.
2018	95	Near-perfect growing season. Structured, long-lived Shiraz. Exceptional concentration without overripeness. Standout year for Grenache.
2017	88	Warm vintage. Rich, full-bodied Shiraz with classic Barossa character. Eden Valley provided elegant contrast. Strong year across the board.
2016	96	Exceptional balanced season. Perfect ripening conditions. Old vine Shiraz of extraordinary depth and concentration. GSM blends also outstanding.
2015	87	Cool La Niña-influenced vintage. Shiraz with excellent structure and lower alcohol than norm. Eden Valley Riesling exceptional. Fresh, mineral expressions.