Wine Region	Barossa Valley, SA
Wine Maker	David Powell
Torbreck Vintners was founded by David Powell in 1994. The roots go back to 1992 when Dave, who was then working at Rockford, began to discover and clean up a few sections of dry-grown old vines. Near lifeless, he nurtured them back to health and was rewarded with small parcels of fruit that he made into wine. Dave was able to secure a contract for the supply of grapes from a run-down but ancient Shiraz vineyard. He managed to raise enough money to share-farm the vineyard, a practice which involves paying the owner a percentage of the market rate for his grapes in return for totally managing the vineyard. This share-farming principle has enabled Torbreck to use fruit from the very best vineyards in the Barossa Valley, which is home to some of the most precious old vines in the world.
The Torbreck endeavour is based around the classic Barossa Valley varietals of Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro, and a love for the wines of France's Rhone Valley. Dave loves the intense, rich, Rhone-like flavors’ that come from old-vines and the fact that Shiraz and Grenache are the mainstay red grapes of the Northern and Southern Rhone often draws comparison. Torbreck doesn't only make red wines though, we have Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne planted on our winery block which we have blended to make a white wine for the last few years.
In 1995 Dave crushed three tonnes of grapes and fermented them into wine in a shed on his 12-hectare Marananga property. He named his wine 'Torbreck' after a forest in Scotland where he worked as a lumberjack. In July 2002 the historic Hillside property was acquired by Torbreck. Situated in Lyndoch, it is one of the original Barossa properties. Vast and picturesque it contains some magnificent old and ancient vineyards that will further our source of premium quality fruit. The Hillside property contains a wonderful native ecosystem that supports a myriad of flora and fauna. Dave hopes to turn it into a nature reserve in the future that will be open to visits. In June 2003 at the finish of vintage, we opened our cellar-door for sales. An original settlers hut, it has been lovingly restored and provides a personal touch and some Barossa warmth whilst you taste our wines. It is open daily and we welcome any visits. In the middle of 2008 a long term vision of Dave Powell's will reach completion. A new winery and administration facility will have been completed on land acquired from a next door neighbour. This will enable our grapes to be made into wine using the best available equipment and then bottled 'on the estate' using our own bottling line.
What the critics have to say!
“All of the Barossa Valley wineries to grab the headlines in the US, with demand pulling prices up to undreamt levels, Torbreck stands supreme. David Powell has not let success go to his head, or subvert the individuality and sheer quality of his wines, all created around very old, dry-grown, bush-pruned vineyards. The top trio arte led by the RunRig (Shiraz/Viognier); then The Factor (shiraz) and The Descendant (Shiraz/Viognier); next The Struie (Shiraz) and The Steadings (Shiraz/Grenache/Mataro). Not withstanding the depth and richness of the wines, they have a remarkable degree of finesse.” Winery Rating; 5 Star   James Halliday – Australian Wine Companion - 2010
Torbreck wines “have been revelations as examples of modern-styled Australian reds and whites that capture the greatest of the old vine vineyards in the Barossa with sensitivity towards fruit purity and overall balance. The spectacular current and up coming releases are among the most exciting wines being made on planet earth – “that’s how good this guy is!”   Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Oct 2002
“The wines are from old dry farmed vines, hand harvested in single vineyards, fermented in open top fermenters, basket pressed and carefully racked to avoid the needs for filtration. The results are astounding. These are brilliant vineyard wines with a personal touch.”   Stephen Spurrier, Decanter Magazine August 2003
Low yielding, old and dry grown Barossa Valley vineyards are the cornerstone of Torbreck Vintners where traditional, manual winemaking methods and minimal intervention are combined to produce a variety of wines each year. The growers we work with have been selected for their unique vineyard sites and spartan approach to viticulture - Torbreck wines are concentrated in the vineyards, not in the winery. Our website enables you to discover all of our wines and the vineyards that give them life. 'Dave Powell, unquestionably one of the world's finest wine producers, has an uncanny ability to discover old vine Barossa vineyards, and then secure long term contracts for their fruit.'     The Wine Advocate Issue #161 (October 2005) Robert Parker
“Torbreck declared amongst the top 100 non-French wineries in the world” La Revue de vin, France April 2004
“In a time when so many South Australian wine makers appear entirely content to replicate the efforts of others, Powell is a genuine creative force. His Juveniles-blend, with Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro (Mourvedre), has defined the concept of light bodied Australian wine. Jeremy Oliver, Wine Australia Magazine, April 2004