First planted in 1971 to dry-farmed Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, Hickinbotham Vineyard is situated on the high elevation hills of Clarendon, a subregion along the northern edge of McLaren Vale in South Australia. The vineyard historically produced fruit for many of Australia’s most iconic producers but was not bottled under its own label until 2012. Led by winemakers Christopher Carpenter and Peter Fraser and viticulturer Michael Lane, Hickinbotham Vineyard continues its nearly 50-year legacy.

The Hickinbotham Vineyard has a well-established pedigree, though prior to its change of ownership in 2012, fruit from its 85 hectares of vines was sold exclusively to a select group of renowned winemakers. Esteemed producers such as Penfolds, Clarendon Hills, and Hardys sourced grapes from the vineyard, contributing to iconic wines like Penfolds Grange and Eileen Hardy Shiraz. Of these, only Clarendon Hills released vineyard-designated wines that carried the “Hickinbotham” name.

The first four wines to bear the Hickinbotham Vineyard label were produced from the 2012 vintage: Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and a Cabernet Shiraz blend. Cabernet Sauvignon grows in ideal conditions on the Hickinbotham Vineyard thanks to the combined influence of elevation, aspect, prevailing winds, weather and ancient soils. The ability to consistently retain expressive and fragrant aromas and obtain deep tannin ripeness with concentrated fresh flavors makes Trueman one of the estate’s most highly regarded wines.

Tasting Notes

"Hand-picked, destemmed but whole berries, open fermented on skins 18 days, basket-pressed, only free-run juice, new and 1 year old Bordeaux barrels, aged 15 months. It's tempting to pour a glass immediately and savour it, for everything from the fruit, cedary oak, tannins to its acidity are in total balance." 96 Points - Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion (2021).