Langhorne Creek Region

Location
 Zone - Fleurieu Zone within Adelaide Super Zone
State - South Australia

Map Reference
 Latitude 35 degrees and 13 minutes South
Longitude 139 degrees and 05 minutes East

Elevation
 0 - 50 metres above sea level

Subregions
 Nil

Introduction
 Frank Potts acquired 130 hectares of land in 1850. Ten years later he planted over 12 hectares of Shiraz and Verdelho on both sides of the Bremer River, which was the beginning of Potts' Bleasdale winery and vineyards. Five generations later the Potts family still preside over Bleasdale.

In the mid 1990's Orlando invested $15 million in a purpose-designed state-of-the-art vineyard planted specifically to meet the needs of its world brand Jacobs Creek.

Wolf Blass uncovered the qualities of Langhorne Creek early on and also played a major role in developing the region.

While the major wineries and highly efficient farming of vines remain the powerhouse of Langhorne Creek, the quality of the wines coming from its small wineries leaves no doubt that this region is able of producing first-class wines.
Primary Grape Varieties
White
 Chardonnay 290 ha
Verdelho 55 ha
Semillon 35 ha
Riesling 30 ha
Other 35 ha
Total White 445 ha
Red
 Cabernet Sauvignon 1750 ha
Shiraz 1565 ha
Merlot 320 ha
Grenache 75 ha
Petit Verdot 50 ha
Pinot Noir 45 ha
Sangiovese 45 ha
Malbec 40 ha
Other 50 ha
Total Red 3940 ha
Primary Wine Styles

Verdelho
Though produced in somewhat small quantities, it is a regional specialty, particularly as a fortified wine in the style of Madeira, recently more often handled as a soft and early maturing table wine.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends
Less than ten per cent of the wine made from grapes grown in Langhorne Creek is sold as a single-region wine. There are the blended wines from the major companies in which the Langhorne Creek component makes an obvious contribution. Wolf Blass made much of his reputation in the 1970's and 1980's, producing immediately accessible, soft and fragrant Cabernet blends that integrate with American oak barrels in which the wines were matured. The flavours are in the red berry spectrum, often with some gently minty overtones.

Shiraz and Blends
Sometimes released as a single varietal, but often blended with all or any of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Malbec, again producing strikingly fruity wines with flavours and aromas of cherry and mint, finishing with that regional softness and a hint of spice.