Langmeil is often muttered in the same sentence as Penfolds and Glaetzer Wines. Regarded not just as one of the best wineries in Barossa Valley, it is simply one of the best there is. I firmly believe this myself, but I’m also echoing the words of the people who should know. Firstly the consumer, secondly the wine critic.

Highly rated by Robert Parker, and again awarded the coveted 5+ star rating by Australia’s authority in wine, James Halliday, we’re just happy the Australians let us bring some of it to Ireland.

The land on which Langmeil Winery now stands was purchased by a 36 year old German blacksmith, Christian Auricht. He and his family arrived in South Australia in 1838 after emigrating from eastern-central Europe (Silesia) to escape religious persecution.

The Freedom

In 1843 he planted a Shiraz vineyard which survives to this day. Believed to be one of the world’s oldest surviving Shiraz vines, remarkably, they are still producing low yields of super-concentrated fruit to this day, which is going into their flagship wine, The 1843 Freedom Shiraz.

Auricht’s grandson was the first to build a winery on the land in 1932, long before it became known as Langmeil. By 1996 the it had fallen into the hands of three local mates whose families have lived in the Barossa Valley for several generations: Richard Lindner, Carl Lindner and Chris Bitter. They restored the old buildings and beautified the gardens. After several months of tender loving care, The Freedom vineyard was successfully revived. Langmeil’s first vintage was harvested in 1997.

Orphan Bank

There is more than one Old Vine Garden. The Orphan Bank vineyard consists of vines exceeding 140 years. A first for the Barossa Valley, the Orphan Bank vineyard is the result of transplanting over 300 vines from a 140 year old vineyard in Tanunda which was destined to be destroyed. It took 18 months to re-plant the vines on the south bank of the North Para River at Langmeil Winery.  The operation was 95% successful and the first post-transplant fruit was picked in 2008.

The Fifth Wave

Another plot of land situated in the southern reaches of the Barossa Valley, just out of the town of Lyndoch, showcases a diversity of soil profiles and aspects. The Fifth Wave Grenache vineyard is located here, named so because this is now the 5th generation of Barossa winemakers. Planted in 1953 on deep sandy soil, the dry grown 4.5 acre vineyard produces a rare, low yielding crop making for very small parcels of premium Grenache.

Trust me when I say, it really doesn’t get much better than Langmeil. The best thing is, you don’t have to be a millionaire banker to drink Langmeil, starting at a very reasonable €11.99 per bottle for the month of March. Buy two save up to €10 on Langmeil.