Credited with launching Australian wine’s undeniable presence on the international fine wine landscape, Penfolds has become the country’s premier red wine producer and something of a celebrity in the fine wine industry. Earning kudos from critics across the world, the estate is now a fixture on the secondary market, and an influence on the Australian economy at large. With vintages such as its 2008 receiving perfect 100-point scores from both Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate, eclectic Penfolds, with its multiple, iconic holdings throughout South Australia, is indeed a member of a very exclusive club. Penfolds’ signature wine is its Grange, which features strength and richness from its characteristic concentration of fruit. Periodically presenting as 100% Shiraz but more often a blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, the fruit is traditionally sourced from multiple regions including Barossa, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra and the Magill Estate located at the base of the Adelaide Hills. But Penfolds doesn’t rest on its Grange laurels: on the contrary, the producer holds a diverse and extensive portfolio of wines including many, such as Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Henri and RWT Shiraz wines, Bin 389 Cabernet – Shiraz and Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon, often making an appearance at important auctions. In a complete digression from its focus on reds, Penfolds took a turn and introduced its first Chardonnay in 1995. Penfolds was founded in 1844 by Dr. Christopher Rawson Penfold who came to Australia from his native England. With his family in tow, he purchased 200 hectares of land for £1200, and immediately planted cuttings from France that he intended to cultivate and use for medicinal wine. Instead, he set the course for an eventual estate which, less than sixty years later, was the origin of over 50% of the country’s wine sales. Ambitious, assertive, and as independent as its homeland, Penfolds is synonymous with strong, creative wines, and prides itself on having something for everyone.