5 Questions With a Winemaker: Stephen & Prue Henschke

In this episode of Five Questions with a Winemaker, presented by the Vint Marketplace, we sit down with Stephen and Prue Henschke, sixth-generation vintners of Henschke Wines—one of Australia’s most revered estates. From Eden Valley Riesling to the legendary Hill of Grace Shiraz, the Henschkes have helped define fine wine in Australia.

Stephen and Prue share:

• 🌿 The vineyards they manage across Eden Valley, including Hill of Grace (planted in the 1850s), Mount Edelstone, and Lenswood in the Adelaide Hills, growing Riesling, Shiraz, Semillon, Cabernet, Grenache, Grüner Veltliner, and more.
• 🏞️ Their focus on authenticity and site expression, making wines from one of the world’s oldest mountain ranges with a cool, continental climate—ideal for Riesling and Shiraz.
• 🍷 Their role in establishing the Barossa Old Vine Charter, classifying vines over 35 years as “Old Vines” and those over 125 years as “Ancestor Vines”—a meaningful way to honor vine age and preservation.
• 📆 A look at their most memorable vintages, including the great 1959, the benchmark 1986 and 2002, and the exceptional 2021, along with challenging years like 2011 and the unexpectedly compressed 2025 vintage.
• 🔭 Exciting developments ahead, including new co-ferments of Grenache and Rhône varieties, expanded plantings of Grüner Veltliner, and a growing focus on Lenswood’s Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

🍷 A must-listen for collectors and enthusiasts of Australian wine, this conversation blends heritage, innovation, and deep respect for the land.

🎧 Stay tuned for the full-length episode with the Henschkes due for release on 4/23

🛒 Shop Henschke wines now on Vint Marketplace:
https://vintmarketplace.com/shop/filters/producer/henschke/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:05 Vineyard Locations and Varieties
01:57 Henke Wines Overview
02:48 The Old Vine Charter Explained
05:17 Memorable Vintages
07:48 Future Plans for Heskey Wines

The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email billy@sommeliermedia.com.

Cheers!