News

2/02/2007: Summer update 2007

We have now completed covering our vineyard vines with Bird Extrusion Net to stop the local bird population from devouring our grapes before picking. The fruit volume is greatly reduced by the frosts and drought we have experienced throughout the growing season. I guess that is the way with all types of farming.

12/05/2004: Sydney success for Hartz Barn Wines

Recent honours at the 2004 Sydney International Wine Competition on February 208 has warmed the hearts of David Barnett, winemaker and Penny Hartz, C.E.O. of Hartz Barn Wines of Moculta.

They were awarded two Blue/Gold awards for their Hartz Barn Wines Barossa Carriages Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 and the Hartz Barn Wines Barossa General Store Shiraz 2002 while the Shiraz was also placed in the Top 100 Wines of the competition.

Hartz Barn Wines, a family operated vineyard and wine enterprise was established in 1997 and have quietly lead the region to various national and international accolades during their short existence.

However, to be recognised at such a prestigious level, in their inaugural entry in the competition, is a true honour for the humble David and Penny.
The Sydney International Wine Competition is a unique show in that the competing wines as an accompaniment to food, rather than a sole product.
They are assessed for their compatibility with and enhancement of cuisine of the judging panel's own selection which does not occur in any one of the many other wine shows around the world.

"This judging criteria is good as I make the wine to go with and be appreciated with food," said David.

Over 2010 wines were entered into the competition with entries from every state in Australia plus from 15 other countries around the world, including and array of European countries which are largely recognised for their talent for winemaking.

There are 12 judges from varying countries, lead by the chairmanship of Chief Judge Huon Hooke, who give each wine a different award classification.

Approximately 1,600 wines are given D.N.A. or Did Not Advance grading are eliminated at the initial stage of the competition.

The remaining wines are then separated into Finalists (the top 20 percent of the Total Entry), Highly Commended (the top 10 to 15 percent of the Total Entry) and Blue/Gold, which places the wine in the top 10 percent of the 2004 Total Entry.

Wines which are not only Blue/Gold award winners but also named in the Top 100 Wines, carry the added distinction of being placed amongst the 100 highest pointed wines of the 2004 Competition, the elite top five percent.

Receiving prestigious awards is not a new experience for David and Penny with countless Silver and Bronze Medal ratings being gained at a variety of other wine shows such as the Australian National Wine Show, Royal Melbourne Wine Show and the Boutique Wines of Australia wine Awards, plus a number of others, all in 2003.

However, David and Penny felt so honoured by these three awards and were more than happy to accept them in person in Sydney. Yet they were surprised by the response they were given with many of the organisers of the show being excited to meet the two sole components of Hartz Barn Wines.

"There were 400 plus people at the ceremony who had the opportunity to taste the Top 100 and the Blue/Gold award winning wines."

The highlight of the competition for David and Penny however, was the self satisfaction gained by such a high honour along with representing the Barossa and area.

"Knowing the wines we produce are of sufficient quality to achieve the awards was a highlight."

Hartz Barn Wines are a small enterprise, with only three wines currently available. However, each is carefully crafted from the grapes of a single vineyard and is malolactically fermented in American and/or French oak hogshead barrels for in excess of 60 days.

"We pride ourselves on handcrafted Barossa heritage wines and taking extra care during the production."

Hartz Barn Wines are gradually gaining more and more recognition for their home business, and were featured in the April/May edition of the prestigious home, "Highlife" magazine.

Mr Ron Georgiou one of the few Masters of Wine in Australia, assessed the Hartz Barn Wines and composed a rave review about the genuine quality of their wines and the unique attributes of their small yet successful company.

At this stage, Hartz Barn Wines are available only through mail order via the internet where they are accessible 24 hours a day all over the world. However, with this additional recognition, it will only be a matter of time before the small Moculta winery tackles the globe.

Reproduced with the permission of The Leader Newspaper.

4/05/2004: 2004 Vintage

The 2003-2004 vintage season had a promising start with average winter rainfall coming as a welcome relief after the forth-worst drought in history. With the rain the soil profile was filled with moisture, and was followed by a frost free, wet, warm, thundery spring that created a natural greenhouse effect for the vines. The vines grew vigorously, flowered and set an excellent crop.

December was the hottest for ten years, however, at the start of 2004 the weather became mild and windy, tempered by the cool southerlies off the ocean. The vines experienced virtually no heat stress with the month of January being the coolest since 1992. At the start of February, traditionally our hottest month, the evenings were exceptionally cool after the warm daytime temperatures. All ideal weather conditions for an extended ripening period producing wonderful colour and berry flavour intensity – the hallmark heritage that is our Barossa terrior.

In our Dennistone Vineyard the autumn of 2004 has produced superb low yield, high quality fruit which we hand picked and handcrafted into our Hartz Barn wines that reflect the exceptional quality of the 2004 vintage season and our vineyard.

29/08/2003: Vintage 2003 in the Barossa / Eden Valley

Our Hartz Barn Wines "Dennistone Vineyard" in Moculta, Eden Valley, Barossa, South Australia is situated 359 metres above sea level.

The 2003 vintage period commenced with a very dry winter and spring and after fruit set, bunches gained little weight as the dry warm to hot summer progressed. Conditions changed in mid February with 78mm of rain falling in 24 hours. This presented us with seasonal challenges, with some berry splitting. Fortunately, cool, dry and windy weather prevented and humidity and disease was not a problem. Harvest began in late March and concluded in mid April.

Early assessments indicate that the Barossa red wines are big, concentrated, textured with excellent flavour and palate weight.

Wines from our 2003 vintage in the Barossa / Eden Valley will be excellent quality despite the seasonal challenges.

20/08/2003: Moculta Winery Mentioned in US Magazine

Hartz Barn Wines 2001 Barossa General Store Shiraz has been rated 90 points out of a possible 100 by U.S. Wine Spectator Magazine.

Hartz Barn Wines U.S.A. representative visited Hartz Barn Wines owners, Penny Hart and David Barnett earlier this month, telling them of the "wonderful" news.

David and Penny are still ecstatic with the recent news, particularly as the mention in the Wine Spectator Magazine will give them more scope on a National level.

This same wine, the 2001 Barossa General Store Shiraz, received a Silver Medal in last year's Royal Adelaide Wine Show.

Hartz Barn Wines, located in Moculta, was established in 1997, and export the Barossa General Store Shiraz, Barossa Mail Box Merlot and the Barossa Carriages Cabernet Sauvignon to the U.S.A., New Zealand and Canada.
Since their first vintage in 1999, Hartz Barn Wines have continued to expand with this year's vintage producing 1600 cases of wine.

Penny and David will introduce a Eden Valley Riesling into their collection for next year's vintage as well as a Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend.

With their wines destined for the top end of the export market, Hartz Barn Wines hope to break into the Asian market in the future.

They will soon join the wine show circuit in the aim of gaining more exposure to the wine industry.

Reprinted with permission from The Leader, 20th August 2003.