The prestigious Australian winery Henschke has remained a family-owned establishment for over 153 years and six generations. Situated in Keyneton, South Australia, within the esteemed Eden Valley wine region, Henschke proudly stands as a distinguished member of Australia's First Families of Wine. Since its inception in 1862, when Johann Christian Henschke planted a modest vineyard in Keyneton, the Henschke family has continuously crafted exceptional wines, forging a legacy of excellence with vineyards in the Eden Valley, Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills, including acclaimed single-vineyards, Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone.The fifth-generation winemaker Stephen Carl Henschke and his viticulturist wife Prue took over the operation of the winery in 1979 and they are recognised around the world for their exceptional quality wines, innovative spirit, focus on restoring native vegetation, organic and biodynamic practices in the vineyard. Johann Stephen Henschke, the eldest of Stephen and Prue’s three children has become the sixth generation member of the Henschke family since 1983. With the background of higher education in wine making, viticulture and oenology, Johann is now based at the family winery as winemaker and viticulturist while playing an important role of transferring his skill set and knowledge from the fifth to sixth generation. As the next generation prepares to navigate the well-documented challenges that lie ahead, Johann recognizes the indispensability of innovation and meticulous strategic planning. However, amidst these considerations, he firmly believes in upholding the time-honoured winemaking techniques that have been cherished by the Henschke family for generations. By ensuring that the legacy of Henschke is nurtured with the same prudence and care as it has always been, Johann and his peers can pass on a heritage that will endure and command the same esteemed reputation that it enjoys today.With over 155 years of history, Henschke’s Hill of Grace is easily Australia’s most sought after single vineyard wine, and rivals Penfolds Grange for the title of the country’s greatest ever wine.  It is a translation from the German ‘Gnadenberg’, a region in Silesia, and the name given to the lovely Lutheran church that overlooks the vineyard. The 4ha single-vineyard shiraz planting is situated at the historic village of Parrot Hill 4km north-west of Henschke Cellars in Eden Valley established by Nicolaus Stanitzki (around 1860) and has since been handed down through the generations to the Henschke family. Although first produced in 1958 by Cyril Henschke, it took nearly 30 years before the Hill of Grace Shiraz became truly famous, an effort recognised to be connected to the hard work and dedication of Stephen and Prue Henschke. Today the viticulture at the Hill of Grace vineyard is blessed with the practical wisdom and knowledge passed down from past generations and the advantages of international learnings and research. In a dry-grown vineyard on its own roots, Prue has observed the benefits of mulching, composting and the use of permanent swards including native grasses, to build up the health of soils and preserve soil moisture. The inclusion of biodynamic principles in the vineyard management gives a twofold benefit – replacement of inorganic fertilisers with compost and the exclusion of herbicides. While planting local native plants provides nectar to attract beneficial insects and helps with pest and disease control. The influence of the moon cycles has always been an important and familiar feature in the operation of the Henschke vineyards, with the Hill of Grace vineyard always being picked just before the harvest moon of Easter.The 2008 vintage in Eden Valley was preceded by an average rainfall and a mild and unusually frost- free spring with regular rainfall periods. Fine flowering weather meant good set despite the expectation that the previous drought year of 2007 would affect yields. The vines also showed surprisingly vigorous growth. A dry and hotter than average early summer caused smaller berry and bunch size. Although temperatures climbed to over 40C around New Year and in mid-February, the weather from mid-January through February was the coolest for 30 years, allowing amazing development of fruit colour, flavour and maturity. Unexpected searing heat seemed never-ending and resulted in stressed vines, significant leaf drop, escalating sugar levels in the fruit and significant shrivel. A cool change followed, which brought relief; however it was too late for fruit still hanging, which had literally cooked on the vine. Selective early morning handpicking, leaving shrivelled fruit on the vines, gave the best quality, resulting in some amazing intensely coloured and flavoured reds, in particular shiraz.Matured in new French (84%) and American (16%) hogsheads for 21 months prior to blending and bottling. The 2008 is spicy and racy. Plenty of energy and concentration here. It finishes dry with fine graphite tannins with satisfying five-spice notes. Very typical of this vineyard. Drink 2018-2042.Nose - Explosive, Ripe Black Fruits, VioletsPronounced dark fruit, characters, mocha and violets in spades, steeped in French oak savouriness.Palate - Sumptuous, Full, HarmoniousEnergetic dark fruits, mocha notes and amaro. Finish - Focused, Fine, ElegantVery long palate indeed with anise, clove and vanillan spice. Epic stuff.Deep purple-crimson, even after five years. It is explosively rich and decadent, with oceans of sumptuous black fruits which have soaked up the new and used French oak, and carry the alcohol with contemptuous ease. The grapes were picked early each morning between March 9 and March 13, after the heatwave had started, but before its conclusion. Each block was separately made and matured, and the final blend is not made until shortly before bottling. - James Halliday, Wine Companion 98 Points.Very deep, dark red-purple colour; the bouquet an explosion of super-ripe blackberry, mocha and violets...powerful, full-bodied and very long on the palate. A big wine, with all components in superb harmony. With a youthful firm texture, it needs time and will be a great Hill of Grace. Best 2018-48. - Huon Hooke, 96 Points.The Finer DetailsStyle - Red WineVarietal - ShirazCountry - AustraliaRegion - Eden Valley, South AustraliaVintage - 2008Bottle Size - 750mlABV - 14.5%