[Akyeong Wine Cellar] Two Hands Joined by Love for 'Shiraz'

<10> Australia’s 'Two Hands'

Founded in 1999 in South Australia by two friends' partnership
Aiming to showcase regional diversity of Australia's signature Shiraz
Utilizing various eco-friendly farming methods based on sustainability

Editor's NoteNo two wines under the sky are the same. Even when using grapes grown in the same land each year and employing the same methods of brewing and aging, the results differ every time. Wine is a 'drink of chance' created by the harmony of humans and nature. Each wine, which silently disappears leaving only a single intense memory, carries an intriguing story. 'Akyung Wine Cellar' shares these stories of wines, each crafted and matured under different circumstances, one by one.

A view of Two Hands' 'Holy Grail Vineyard'.

"It all started with a bottle of Australian Shiraz placed on the kitchen table. And we asked ourselves, if that is what the world wants, how can we give it to them?"

In September 1999, two friends attending a friend's engagement party found themselves looking in the same direction over a bottle of Shiraz wine. At that time, Australia was targeting the global wine market with the image of affordable, reliable, and approachable mass-market wines. However, since these mass-market wines were mostly produced by multinational corporate wineries, Australian wines were often criticized for being uniform and lacking diversity.

The two friends wanted to directly challenge the harsh global perception of Australian wine. They were convinced that Shiraz, Australia's representative grape variety, deserved better recognition. Aiming to produce the highest quality wines that truly express the unique characteristics of Australia's diverse sub-regions, they focused on the fact that even the same grape variety can have vastly different tastes and aromas depending on the region where it is grown.

Thus, Michael Twelftree, who transitioned from construction to wine export, and Richard Mintz, who ran a barrel manufacturing company, joined hands with the core value of 'Quality without compromise' to showcase the diverse charms of Shiraz on the world stage. This was the beginning of 'Two Hands' in Australia's Barossa Valley.

Six regions in South Australia where Two Hands' vineyards are located.

Rising as Australia's Leading Producer under the Banner of 'Quality without Compromise'

The start was humble. Two Hands made its first vintage wine in 2000 with 17 tons of grapes purchased for $30,000, without owning a proper winery or vineyard. It was literally a startup winery. However, as it began to gain some traction in the US and UK markets, production gradually increased, and in 2003, Two Hands launched the 'Garden' and 'Picture' series wines, which remain their signature series to this day.

Both series received favorable reviews from both the market and critics, and Two Hands appeared for the first time in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines that year, rapidly emerging as a notable producer in South Australia. Subsequently, Two Hands acquired vineyards in McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley, and established a winery equipped with the latest facilities, steadily building a foundation for producing high-quality wines. Despite its relatively short history, it is now considered one of Australia's premier premium wine producers.

Two Hands' 'Garden Series' wine.

Two Hands is named after the philosophy of craftsmanship, 'hands-on,' reflecting their commitment to personally crafting their wines. From the early days to the present, all grapes are hand-harvested, and sustainable, eco-friendly farming methods are employed. Each vineyard block is managed separately from grape growing to winemaking, aiming to produce wines that distinctly express the terroir?the total natural environment surrounding the vineyard.

To cope with Australia's hot and dry climate, where drought poses a significant challenge to grape cultivation, Two Hands has been applying 'Sap Flow Technology' since 2019. This technology involves inserting needles into grapevines to measure moisture levels by monitoring transpiration, ensuring the vines receive the optimal amount of water at the right time. Through this method, Two Hands has reduced water usage by over 50% while significantly improving grape quality. Additionally, they use 'kaolin clay spray,' which acts like sunscreen to protect grapes from direct sunlight, among other eco-friendly farming techniques.

Meticulously grading and selecting their wines is also part of this goal. Six months after harvest, Two Hands conducts blind tastings of over 2,000 barrels, classifying them into eight grades from A+ to D. Only wines rated B or higher are released under the Two Hands label, while wines rated B- and below are sold externally without the Two Hands name.

The signature variety of Two Hands, 'Shiraz'

Answering the Diversity of Australian Shiraz

Currently, Two Hands cultivates grapes in six regions centered in South Australia, with the Barossa Valley being the core area. Barossa Valley is one of the largest wine-producing regions in South Australia, which produces about half of Australia's wine, located 60 km north of the state capital, Adelaide. The Barossa Valley has a Mediterranean climate, with warm lowlands and relatively cool highlands, and a significant temperature difference between day and night. Overall, it enjoys abundant sunlight, high temperatures, and dry conditions, with low rainfall during the grape growing season, resulting in fully ripened fruit.

The star grape of Two Hands' Barossa Valley vineyards is undoubtedly Shiraz. Shiraz is the same variety as 'Syrah,' originally from France's Rh?ne region. It is believed that Huguenots, French Calvinist Protestants, brought it to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa in the 17th century, and from there it made its way to Australia, with the name evolving through French colloquial changes. Along with the change in growing environment, both the name and style have transformed, with Barossa Valley Shiraz characterized by vivid berry, lavender, and spice aromas, and a richer, fuller style compared to French Syrah. Shiraz accounts for about 90% of Two Hands' total vineyards.

Two Hands' 'Picture' series wine.

Two Hands currently operates a portfolio of four wine series: Flagship, Single Vineyard, Garden, and Picture. Among these, the Garden and Picture series are the most well-known to the public. The Garden series was designed to showcase the complexity of Shiraz grown in six contrasting regional soils, including Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley, Eden Valley, Adelaide Hills, and Heathcote. The Picture series features labels using Polaroid images by photographer Don Brice to enhance accessibility and includes wines made from Shiraz as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, and Grenache.

Among these, 'Samantha’s Garden,' named after co-founder Twelftree's wife, is made from grapes grown in Clare Valley. It offers a complex and unique character with notes of star anise and saffron, balanced acidity, and bold tannins. The wine is made by blending free-run juice and pressed juice, undergoing malolactic fermentation, and aging for 18 months in French oak barrels before release. The winery estimates it can age well for over 15 years.

Although relatively more expensive than the previous series, the Flagship series offers the pinnacle experience of Two Hands winery. Among them, the true icon wine is 'Two Hands My Hands.' My Hands is made only in exceptional vintages by selecting the best Shiraz of the year. It exhibits the deep dark red color typical of Barossa Shiraz, with aromas of cassis, blackberry, licorice, and mint. On the palate, it offers finely polished tannins and a rich, long finish. My Hands has the potential to age gracefully for over 25 years.

Two Hands' iconic wine 'My Hands'.