2008 Two Hands Bella's Garden Shiraz

Two Hands Wines was founded in the Barossa Valley in 1999 by Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz. Their first Shiraz vintage was in 2000 and in 2004 the owners completed a state-of-the-art winery. They source grapes from several regions and today the estate makes numerous labels, though the prestige label is the Flagship Series group of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Mataro wines. Other labels include the more fanciful Garden Series and the Single Vineyard Series. Robert M. Parker Jr. has noted that “Two Hands is a negociant run impeccably by Michael Twelftree. It reflects the best that can be sourced from all over South Australia.”

South Australia is the nation’s most important wine region. South Australia is to Australia what California is to the U.S. About half of Australia’s wine comes from South Australia and many of the country’s most acclaimed producers are there. Wineries based in South Australia include Penfolds Grange, Torbreck, Amon Ra, Henschke and Jacob’s Creek. The prestigious Barossa Valley is located in South Australia, and is often compared to Napa Valley because it is gorgeous topography covered in grape vines. First farmed by 19th century German-speakers who immigrated from what is now Poland, the Barossa Valley is the crown jewel of the region. South Australia has widely varying climates, from very hot, dry areas to cooler, high altitude areas. There are more than 150,000 acres of vineyards in South Australia, with more being planted each month. Shiraz is king, though the region also produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Mourvedre, Chardonnay and Semillon.

This grape is grown in milder climates and produces a medium-to full-bodied wine. It is also known as Shiraz, but should not be confused with Petit Sirah, which was developed by crossing Syrah with Peloursin.