The Grant Burge story begins in 1978 when a youthful Grant joined forces with business partner Ian Wilson to acquire the Krondorf winery from Dalgety Wine Estates. Dalgety was one of a number of international business with no knowledge of wine that came to Australia to invest in it. It smacked of the gold rush years of the 1850s-1880s when a few became rich, and most learnt that it was a quick way to lose whatever money a digger arrived with.
Burge, a fifth generation Barossa Valley vine grower, and Wilson were very different, building a deep understanding of the money game, and working hard. Wilson died suddenly, leaving Burge and wife Helen in a position to meet Dalgety’s desire to exit at all costs. So the price was right, and by 1983 Krondorf was able to join the Stock Exchange, having built its business in copy book style, with Grant and Helen controlling shareholders.
Three years later Ray King, CEO of Mildara Wines, found Krondorf an irresistible target, and made a successful takeover offer. At that time conventional business models called for the immediate sale of vineyard assets, and Grant Burge was happy to oblige (in 1986). It might seem that the Game of Thrones had run its course. But on 17 December 2000 Grant Burge announced it had repurchased the Krondorf Winery from Mildara Blass, and renamed it Barossa Vines Winery, Mildara Blass retaining the Krondorf brand.
The key to all the manoeuvring was (and is) the 1986 purchase by the Burge family of the 356ha of Barossa vineyards. Running parallel was the role of Craig Stansborough who joined the winemaking team in 1993 as cellar manager, rising to chief winemaker in four short years. A period of calm followed until February 2015, when Accolade Wines announced it had acquired the Grant Burge brand and the Krondorf Winery. The family-owned vineyards remained outside the acquisition, and continue to supply quality grapes to Accolade.
The slash and burn of employees that is normally part of the game hasn’t impacted on Stansborough. Instead, he rose to Group Premium Winemaker in 2019, and is surely a key to the future of Accolade.
2021 Grant Burge Filsell 100th Anniversary Limited Edition Barossa Valley Shiraz
This is a ravishingly beautiful wine, with a perfumed red and blue fruit bouquet promising a glorious palate that reflects all the decisions at every point along the way have been exactly chosen, and deliver a wine that airily floats across the journey from vine to glass.
98 points, drink to 2043, 14.5% alc, Screwcap, $99
2021 Grant Burge Balthasar Eden Valley Shiraz
There were no tricks in the vinification of the wine. The complex bouquet offers red and black cherry and berry fruit. The palate adding texture and structure built on neatly structured and weighted tannins. The aftertaste is lively and fresh, and grows each time you sip it.
96 points, drink to 2038, 14.5% alc, Screwcap, $48
2021 Grant Burge The Holy Trinity Barossa Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre
A 40/40/20% blend, the grenache hand-picked from 80yo vines. From this point on the only thing in common is the used French oak in various sizes and for various periods of time. It’s sophisticated, and achieves elegance, balance and freshness.
95 points, drink to 2035, 14.5% alc, Screwcap, $48
