In 1853 our Kalleske farm and vineyard was established at Moppa, a small sub-district of Greenock in the Barossa’s North-West. The Moppa district was a flourishing settlement of pioneering farming families and gold miners. There were few schools in the region, so local parents established the Moppa Public School in 1873 to give their children a formal education. Located on our Kalleske property, generations of the Kalleske family attended this school until its closure in 1935. Sourced entirely from our Kalleske Moppa vineyard, a trace of Viognier and Petit Verdot has been added to this Shiraz giving it a contemporary edge. This is a genuine hand-made wine that’s been grown, vintaged and matured on our Kalleske estate at Greenock in the North- Western Barossa.

Vineyard: Moppa is predominantly Shiraz with a trace of Viognier (5%) and Petit Verdot (5%) blended in for added complexity. All grapes are from the Kalleske’s organic farm. The vines are low-yielding and are grown in shallow, sandy loam soil over superb deep red clay, providing ideal conditions for these varieties.
Growing Season:2008 was an extremely hot and dry vintage. There were superb ripening conditions until March when the Barossa experienced its biggest heatwave of all time with 15 days in a row over 35 degrees. Fortunately, Grenache is a variety that thrives in arid conditions and this heat did not phase these old vines which produced intense, flavoursome fruit. Overall 2008 is a very good vintage, with average yields and great quality.
Winemaking: The Shiraz was harvested in numerous batches from late February to 12th March. The Viognier was harvested on 5th March and co-fermented with a portion of Shiraz. The Petit Verdot is a late ripener and was harvested on 27th March. All batches were fermented warm in open top fermenters with hand pumpovers twice a day during fermentation. After 7 to 13 days on skins the fermented grapes were traditionally pressed. The wine was aged in hogshead barrels for 15 months. Approximately 25% new American, French and Hungarian oak was used with the balance seasoned barrels. On completion of maturation, a small portion of Petit Verdot and Shiraz/Viognier was blended for added complexity. The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered.

91 Points Wine of the week - Sydney Morning Herald
"Moppa is a sub-region in the north-western Barossa Valley, a source of hearty reds. This, from one of the Barossa’s best young winemakers, Troy Kalleske, is a delicious drop and amazing value when compared to some of the region’s more famous brews. The aromas are of dried spices, nutmeg, clove and cinnamon, together with dark berry and plum base-notes. In the mouth it’s soft and sweet fruited, savoury tannins chiming in to provide a dry but supple finish. It’s quite succulent, round and smooth. Drink it now to 10 years- plus. Food… Any red meats- especially braises and casseroles- or tasty cheeses of the harder varieties."
Huon Hooke, The Sydney Morning Herald, 26th January 2010

Looks: Dark, black red colour, full bodied. Smells: Ripe, plumy, coffee and choc. Feels: Full bodied. Tastes: Kalleske often get the balance on Barossa shiraz so right - their wines don’t walk away from being big, round and choc toned, but they have a freshness that balances such ripeness beautifully. Lo and behold, this wine does that balance well. And, it adds a nice little lick of spice and chewy tannin to the mix, with a meaty centre and good dry finish. Class."
Ian Robertson, Wine Without Wank