Two Hands Coach House Block Single Vineyard Shiraz 2020

Region and Vineyards

Greenock, a distinguished sub-region in the Barossa Valley, is known for producing full-bodied and deeply structured Shiraz wines. With an altitude of 256 meters, this area benefits from slightly cooler temperatures than other parts of the Barossa, allowing for slow, even ripening. The extended growing season helps maintain freshness and acidity while developing intense, layered fruit flavors. Warm days encourage ripeness, while cool nights preserve the vibrancy that defines high-quality Shiraz.

The Coach House Block vineyard, originally part of the Branson Coach House estate, was acquired by Two Hands Wines in 2001. It features deep grey-red loam soils, interspersed with coarse quartz and ironstone gravel over clay, which provide excellent drainage while stressing the vines just enough to produce concentrated fruit. With an average annual rainfall of 450mm, the vineyard benefits from natural water retention in the clay subsoil, ensuring a balanced vine growth cycle and optimal fruit quality. This terroir-driven Shiraz showcases Greenock’s signature richness, complexity, and age-worthy structure.

Winemaking

This vintage was meticulously crafted using several small parcels from the Coach House Block vineyard, each vinified separately to capture the unique characteristics of the site. The hand-harvested grapes were crushed and de-stemmed into open-top fermenters, where they spent an average of 10 days on skins, allowing for optimal extraction of color, tannins, and aromatics.

Following fermentation, the wine was pressed, and both free-run juice and pressings were blended to enhance depth and complexity. The wine then underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel, adding to its textural richness. Aged for 18 months in French oak hogsheads, with 20% new oak, the wine developed an added layer of spice and elegance. Bottled unfiltered, this approach preserves the wine’s full intensity and structure, ensuring its ability to age gracefully.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep, opaque black with a vibrant purple hue at the rim.
• Aroma: A captivating nose of liquorice, dark chocolate, baked blueberries, toffee apple, and fig paste, accented by hints of warm oil and crushed stone.
• Palate: A bold and opulent entry leads into layers of blackberry, dark plum, and cocoa, supported by robust tannins that add structure and depth. The palate remains rich and concentrated, with an exceptionally long, dry finish marked by lingering spice and mineral complexity.

Did you know?

The Coach House Block was once part of Branson Coach House, a vineyard long revered for its ability to produce exceptionally structured and expressive Shiraz. Recognizing its potential, Two Hands Wines secured the vineyard in 2001, incorporating it into their Single Vineyard Series—a collection dedicated to capturing Barossa’s most distinctive terroirs. Unlike the broader Garden Series, which explores regional expression, the Single Vineyard wines focus on micro-terroir variations, highlighting individual site characteristics in their purest form.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Grilled Wagyu Ribeye – The rich marbling and umami depth of Wagyu complement the wine’s concentrated dark fruit and robust tannins.
• Slow-Braised Lamb Shoulder – The wine’s intense aromatics and bold structure stand up to the deep, savory flavors of slow-cooked lamb, creating a harmonious balance.
• Aged Manchego or Comté Cheese – The salty, nutty complexity of these cheeses highlights the wine’s dark fruit and spice-driven undertones.
• Dark Chocolate & Cherry Tart – The cocoa and black fruit notes in the wine complement the richness of dark chocolate while echoing the tart’s cherry intensity.

History of Two Hands Wines

The story of Two Hands began in 1999, when Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz set out with a clear vision: to produce the best possible Shiraz from different regions of Australia. Their approach differed from the traditional model, as they sought to highlight regional differences rather than blending fruit from multiple areas.

The first vintage in 2000 consisted of just 17 tons of fruit, sourced from McLaren Vale and Padthaway, with an initial investment of $30,000. Early success quickly propelled the winery forward, leading to the launch of the full Garden Series by 2003.

In 2004, Two Hands built its own winery in Marananga, Barossa Valley, allowing them to maintain complete control over the winemaking process while continuing to produce wines in small, carefully handled batches.

Over the years, Two Hands has received global acclaim, earning a place in Wine Spectator’s annual Top 100 for ten consecutive years—a rare achievement for an Australian winery. Today, they remain committed to crafting expressive, terroir-driven Shiraz that showcases the unique characteristics of Australia’s greatest wine regions.

Region and Vineyards

Two Hands Wines follows a regional-first philosophy, sourcing grapes from six of Australia’s premier Shiraz-growing regions:

• Barossa Valley – Known for rich, opulent Shiraz with dark fruit intensity.
• McLaren Vale – Produces bold yet elegant Shiraz with fine tannins and coastal influence.
• Clare Valley – Offers a more restrained, high-altitude style with natural acidity.
• Langhorne Creek – Known for supple, approachable Shiraz with soft tannins.
• Padthaway – Produces vibrant, fruit-driven Shiraz with excellent balance.
• Heathcote – A cool-climate region producing structured Shiraz with great depth.

The winery does not own vineyards, instead working closely with dedicated growers to ensure that each vineyard’s unique terroir is preserved in the final wine. All grapes are handled identically in the winery, allowing the regional differences to shine through in the finished wines.

Wine Range of Two Hands Wines

Two Hands produces a diverse portfolio of wines, structured into distinct ranges:

• Garden Series – The flagship range, featuring single-region Shiraz from Australia’s top terroirs, each named after a family member (e.g., Bella’s Garden – Barossa Valley, Lily’s Garden – McLaren Vale).
• Single Vineyard Series – Exclusive wines that showcase the unique identity of individual vineyard sites, such as Yacca Block (Eden Valley) and Waterfall Block (Adelaide Hills).
• Picture Series – A collection of expressive, regionally blended wines, known for vibrant fruit and playful labels, including Gnarly Dudes (Barossa Shiraz) and Angel’s Share (McLaren Vale Shiraz).
• Flagship Series – The pinnacle of Two Hands winemaking, featuring limited-production wines made from the best barrels of the vintage, such as Ares Shiraz and My Hands Shiraz.

Did You Know?

Two Hands Wines was named "Winery of the Year" by Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate in 2012, solidifying its place among Australia’s most prestigious producers. The winery’s unique barrel classification system ensures that only the top 3% of barrels are selected for the highest-tier wines.