Before setting out for South Australia, the Penfold family secured a number of grenache vine cuttings from the Southern Rhône Valley in France. Carefully nurtured through the long sea voyage, Christopher and Mary used these cuttings to establish their first vineyard at The Grange homestead in Magill.

Aided by the warm and dry Mediterranean-style climate, grenache thrived in its new home and the regions surrounding Adelaide. It was recognised early by Mary Penfold as a reliable varietal that could deliver both high yields and high quality. 

As demand for her wines increased, Mary began to seek out quality fruit beyond Magill Estate. For grenache, she principally set her eyes to the Barossa Valley – a region that continues to be one of our most important and remains the heartland of Australia’s finest expressions today.

Bin 21 saw its inaugural release under The Penfolds Collection 2023, earning its stripes after many years of grenache trials and exploration within our Cellar Reserve program. The 2022 vintage of Bin 21 was sourced from low yielding old vines in the Barossa Valley, some planted as far back as the 1930s. It is a full circle wine, that retains an important link to Penfolds early days, while ardently striding into the future. 

Its Bin number was selected in respect to our first Cellar Reserve Barossa Valley Grenache – a wine that was made in 2002 and is still keenly sought by collectors today. As the first release marks 21 years since that remarkable wine, “21” was appointed its Bin number.

"Our first Bin 21 Grenache signifies an important milestone in our quest to master this beguiling varietal."

- Shavaughn Wells, Penfolds Winemaker