One of the Barossa’s celebrated wine estates has expanded its holdings with the acquisition of a historic Eden Valley vineyard, bringing 80-year-old vines and plans for one of Australia’s highest Grenache plantings into its portfolio.
Alkina Wine Estate has purchased the 24-hectare Trial Hill vineyard near Pewsey Vale from Barossa vigneron Joel Mattschoss, adding the elevated property to its existing 43-hectare estate at Greenock.
The acquisition marks a significant expansion for Alkina, which plans to preserve the property’s established old vines while exploring the potential of its highest slopes for new plantings.
Trial Hill has a history stretching back to the earliest days of winemaking in Eden Valley. The vineyard was once part of the original Pewsey Vale property established by Joseph Gilbert, who planted the area’s first vines in 1847.
Today, approximately eight hectares of Trial Hill are planted to Grenache, Shiraz, Riesling and Chardonnay, with its contour-planted Grenache, Shiraz and Riesling vines approximately 80 years old.
The established vines sit between 450 and 480 metres above sea level, overlooking the Barossa Valley, while the property rises to approximately 550 metres at its highest point.
Alkina plans to establish an additional terraced, bush-vine Grenache vineyard on the upper slopes in the medium term, potentially creating one of the highest Grenache vineyards in Australia.
For Alkina Winemaker and Managing Director Amelia Nolan, the acquisition represents an opportunity to protect an increasingly rare part of Australia’s wine heritage.
“Old Grenache vines at this altitude are a finite resource in Australia and deserve to be preserved and nurtured,” Amelia said.
The acquisition will also allow Alkina to expand its detailed research into the relationship between vineyard geology and wine.
The estate began working with terroir specialist Pedro Parra at Greenock in 2017, identifying the geological characteristics of individual vineyard sites.
At Trial Hill, detailed geological mapping is scheduled to begin in 2027, with the aim of identifying distinctive vineyard areas that could eventually contribute to Alkina’s premium Polygon wine range.
Early investigations have identified a geological landscape featuring weathered quartzite and schist, creating sandy, free-draining soils that differ from the schist, limestone and ferrous clay found at Greenock.
Alkina owner Alejandro Bulgheroni believes Trial Hill offers an opportunity to further demonstrate the international potential of Australian Grenache.
“We have a long-held belief that the great wines of the world come from truly great sites,” Alejandro said.
Former owner Joel Mattschoss said the decision to sell Trial Hill was difficult, having originally intended to retain the vineyard long term. However, Alkina’s approach to vineyard management and its work at Greenock made the estate a natural choice to take over the property.
The Alkina team has already assumed management of Trial Hill and is preparing for the growing season ahead.
The property will be farmed according to organic and biodynamic principles, consistent with Alkina’s approach at Greenock, with certification to be pursued in the future.
For a vineyard with roots in Eden Valley’s earliest wine history, the acquisition signals a new chapter focused on preserving its old vines while exploring the potential of its elevated landscape.
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