d'Arenberg The Anthropocene Epoch

D'Arenberg was founded in 1912 when the teetotaler Joseph Osborn purchased a 65-hectare estate in the northern part of McLaren Vale, complete with established vineyards, stables, and a homestead. Joseph was soon joined by his son, Francis Ernest Osborn, who left medical school for a life on the land. Father and son expanded the vineyard to 78 hectares and sold grapes to local wineries until the winery was completed in 1927. D'Arenberg now exports to more than sixty countries and is one of Australia's most respected wineries, with two wines in the Langton's Classification of Australian Wine and a top rating in the Australian Wine Companion.

Grapes are still pressed by foot

D'Arenberg is committed to reducing our ecological footprint on Earth. The evidence of humanity's impact on the planet is so overwhelming that experts have recommended the declaration of a new geological era, the Anthropocene Epoch. That's why D'Arenberg decided to name its wine after it. It's also a way to draw attention to our care for the Earth. Winemaker Chester Osborn works meticulously. He walks through the rows of vineyards and regularly tastes the grapes. This allows him to determine the ideal harvest time for each individual vineyard. Small batches of grapes are gently crushed and then transferred to open fermenters. Two-thirds of the wine is then foot-pressed to achieve a beautiful concentration. Finally, the wine is aged for another nine months in French oak barrels.

What does d'Arenberg The Anthropocene Epoch taste like?

The Anthropocene Epoch from d'Arenberg is fresh, lively, and incredibly aromatic. The aromas simply leap from the glass. First impressions are: black fruit, black olives, pepper, and roasted meat. It's medium to full-bodied, with a touch more spice on the palate. Fairly smooth and taut, and thankfully not overly tannic, yet crisp and spicy.