Bethany Wines - Barossa Valley

Bethany Wines is one of the Barossa Valley's most historic and respected wineries, with a winemaking heritage spanning over 150 years. Established in 1866, Bethany has recently entered an exciting new chapter under the ownership of a distinguished South Australian syndicate, whilst continuing to produce premium Shiraz, Grenache, Riesling, and other classic varieties from some of the Barossa's oldest vineyards.

New Ownership - A South Australian Syndicate

In a landmark acquisition, the historic Bethany Wines has been purchased by a syndicate of prominent South Australians who share a passion for wine, the Barossa Valley, and preserving the estate's rich heritage. The new ownership group brings together diverse expertise from sport, media, business, and law, united by their commitment to maintaining Bethany's reputation for quality and authenticity.

The Ownership Group

Ryan Fitzgerald - National radio personality known for his work in Australian media and broadcasting, bringing marketing expertise and public profile to the venture.

Alex Carey - Australian cricketer and wicketkeeper for the national team, representing South Australia in domestic cricket. Carey's dedication to excellence in sport translates to his commitment to quality winemaking.

Izak Rankine - AFL star playing for the Adelaide Crows, known for his dynamic playing style and strong South Australian roots.

Brodie Smith - AFL player with the Adelaide Crows, a respected figure in South Australian football with a passion for the state's wine industry.

Graham Hobbs - Respected South Australian businessman with extensive experience in corporate leadership and strategic development.

Leigh Curyer - Accomplished businessman with a track record in building successful enterprises and understanding premium markets.

Garry Winter - Experienced business leader bringing commercial acumen and industry knowledge to the ownership group.

Dimitris Parhas - Businessman with expertise in operations and strategic growth, contributing to the syndicate's diverse skill set.

Brendon Roberts KC - King's Counsel and distinguished legal professional, providing governance expertise and strategic counsel.

Vision for Bethany

The new ownership group is committed to honouring Bethany's 150+ year heritage whilst positioning the winery for future growth and success. Their vision combines respect for traditional winemaking practices and the estate's historic vineyards with contemporary marketing, distribution, and brand development. The syndicate's diverse backgrounds bring fresh perspectives and networks that will help introduce Bethany wines to new audiences whilst maintaining the quality and authenticity that define the brand.

The History of Bethany Wines

The Bethany story is deeply intertwined with the history of the Barossa Valley itself, beginning in the mid-19th century when German Lutheran settlers established the region's viticultural foundations. In 1866, the Schrapel family planted their first vines on what would become the Bethany estate, making it one of the oldest continuously operating wineries in Australia.

The Schrapel Family Legacy

The Schrapel family arrived in South Australia as part of the wave of German immigration during the 1840s, seeking religious freedom and new opportunities. Like many German settlers in the Barossa, they brought with them viticultural knowledge and a strong work ethic that would shape the region's wine industry for generations.

The family established their property in the Bethany area, a small settlement northeast of Tanunda named after the biblical village near Jerusalem. The location proved ideal for viticulture, with ancient soils, moderate elevation, and a climate suited to both red and white grape varieties. The Schrapels planted Shiraz, Grenache, Riesling, and other varieties that would become synonymous with Barossa wine.

For over 150 years, the Schrapel family stewarded Bethany through six generations, surviving economic depressions, world wars, and the vine pull schemes of the 1980s. Their foresight in preserving ancient Grenache and Shiraz vines—when others were removing them—created the viticultural treasures that today produce some of the Barossa's most sought-after wines.

A New Chapter

The acquisition by the South Australian syndicate marks a new chapter in Bethany's long history. Whilst ownership has changed, the commitment to quality, respect for old vines, and dedication to authentic Barossa winemaking remains steadfast. The new owners recognise that Bethany's value lies in its heritage, historic vineyards, and reputation for producing wines of genuine character and provenance.

Barossa Valley Location & Terroir

Bethany Wines is located in the Bethany district, approximately 5 kilometres northeast of Tanunda in the heart of the Barossa Valley. The estate sits at an elevation of approximately 300 metres above sea level, benefiting from slightly cooler temperatures and good air drainage compared to the valley floor.

The Bethany District

The Bethany area is one of the Barossa's most historic wine districts, characterised by gently rolling hills, ancient soils, and a concentration of old vineyards planted by German settlers in the 19th century. The district's name reflects the strong Lutheran heritage of the region, with many locations bearing biblical names chosen by the devout German immigrants.

The area's slightly elevated position and diverse soil types create ideal conditions for both red and white varieties. The combination of warm days and cool nights during the growing season allows grapes to develop full flavour ripeness whilst retaining natural acidity and freshness.

Barossa Valley Climate

The Barossa Valley experiences a warm, continental climate with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Summer temperatures regularly reach 30-35°C during January and February, providing ample warmth for ripening full-bodied red varieties like Shiraz and Grenache. Annual rainfall averages 500-650mm, with most precipitation falling during winter months, necessitating careful water management during the growing season.

The region's climate shares similarities with the Rhône Valley in France and parts of Spain, making it ideal for Mediterranean varieties. The extended ripening period allows grapes to achieve physiological maturity, developing ripe tannins, deep colour, and concentrated flavours that characterise Barossa wines.

Ancient Soils & Old Vines

Bethany's vineyards benefit from ancient soils formed over millions of years, including red-brown earths, sandy loams, and clay subsoils. These well-drained soils, combined with the estate's old vines—some planted over 100 years ago—produce fruit of exceptional quality and concentration.

The old vines, with their deep root systems and natural balance, yield small crops of intensely flavoured grapes that require minimal intervention in the winery. These gnarled, low-yielding plants are viticultural treasures, producing wines with complexity, depth, and character that young vines simply cannot match.

Bethany Wines Range

Shiraz

Bethany Shiraz is a classic expression of Barossa Valley's flagship variety, crafted from estate-grown fruit including parcels from vines planted in the early 20th century. The wine showcases the power and richness for which Barossa Shiraz is renowned, with dark berry fruits, chocolate, liquorice, and spice characters complemented by firm but ripe tannins and subtle oak influence.

The Shiraz is built for cellaring, with the structure and concentration to evolve gracefully over 15-25 years. As it ages, the wine develops savoury complexity, leather, tobacco, and earthy notes whilst maintaining its core of dark fruit. The style balances traditional Barossa power with elegance and drinkability.

Reserve Shiraz

The Reserve Shiraz represents Bethany's finest parcels of old-vine fruit, selected from the best blocks in exceptional vintages. This premium offering displays greater concentration, complexity, and ageing potential than the standard Shiraz, with layers of dark fruit, spice, earth, and oak seamlessly integrated. The wine is matured in French oak barrels with a higher proportion of new wood, adding structure and complexity without overwhelming the fruit.

Grenache

Bethany Grenache is crafted from ancient bush vines that survived the vine pull schemes of the 1980s, some planted in the 1920s and 1930s. These gnarled, dry-grown vines produce tiny yields of intensely flavoured fruit that creates wines of remarkable character and complexity.

The Grenache displays bright red berry fruits—cherry, raspberry, and strawberry—with white pepper, herbs, and floral aromatics. The wine's medium body, silky tannins, and vibrant acidity make it exceptionally food-friendly and more approachable than the powerful Shiraz. It demonstrates Grenache's ability to produce wines of elegance and sophistication, showcasing why the Barossa is one of the world's great regions for this variety.

GR8 Barossa

GR8 Barossa is Bethany's Grenache-Shiraz-Mourvèdre (GSM) blend, a modern interpretation of the classic Rhône-style blend that has become a Barossa signature. The wine combines the bright fruit and spice of Grenache, the structure and depth of Shiraz, and the earthy complexity of Mourvèdre (Mataro), creating a harmonious, complex red with excellent food versatility.

The blend proportions vary with each vintage to reflect the season's conditions, but typically feature Grenache as the dominant variety. The wine offers immediate appeal with its vibrant fruit and spice, whilst also rewarding cellaring for 5-10 years as the components integrate and develop savoury complexity.

Riesling

Bethany Riesling showcases the Barossa's ability to produce exceptional white wines alongside its famous reds. Whilst the Eden Valley (the elevated region adjoining the Barossa Valley) is more renowned for Riesling, Bethany's slightly elevated vineyards produce Riesling with classic citrus, lime, and floral characters balanced by crisp acidity and mineral undertones.

The wine is crafted in a dry style that emphasises purity and varietal expression. It's delicious in youth with its bright fruit and refreshing acidity, but also ages beautifully over 5-10 years, developing toast, honey, and petrol characters that define mature Riesling.

Semillon

Bethany Semillon is a classic Australian white wine style, crafted from estate-grown fruit and typically released young to showcase the variety's citrus, herb, and grassy characters. The wine is vinified in stainless steel to preserve freshness and varietal purity, with bright acidity and moderate alcohol making it an excellent food wine.

Like Riesling, Semillon rewards cellaring, developing toast, honey, and nutty complexity over 5-15 years whilst maintaining its core of citrus fruit and refreshing acidity.

Pressings

Pressings is Bethany's unique offering—a wine made from the press fraction of Shiraz, typically discarded or blended away by most producers. The press wine, extracted after free-run juice is drained, contains higher tannin levels, deeper colour, and more concentrated flavours. Bethany bottles this separately, creating a powerful, structured red with intense dark fruit, firm tannins, and excellent ageing potential.

This wine appeals to enthusiasts who appreciate bold, full-bodied reds and demonstrates Bethany's willingness to explore unconventional wine styles.

Winemaking Philosophy

Bethany's winemaking approach balances respect for tradition with modern techniques, aiming to produce wines that express the unique character of the estate's old vineyards and the Barossa terroir. The philosophy emphasises minimal intervention, allowing the quality of the fruit to shine through without excessive manipulation.

Vineyard-Focused

The foundation of Bethany wines is the estate's old vineyards, meticulously tended using sustainable practices that promote vine health and fruit quality. Low yields are maintained through careful pruning and crop management, concentrating flavour and ensuring physiological ripeness. Hand-harvesting preserves fruit integrity, whilst selective picking ensures only the best fruit enters the winery.

Traditional Techniques

In the winery, traditional methods prevail. Red wines are fermented in open-top fermenters with gentle extraction techniques including hand plunging and pump-overs. Maturation occurs in French and American oak barrels, with new oak levels carefully calibrated to complement rather than dominate the fruit. The wines are bottled with minimal filtration to preserve texture and complexity.

Cellar Door & Visitor Experience

Bethany operates a welcoming cellar door at the historic estate, offering visitors the opportunity to taste the full range of wines in a relaxed, authentic setting. The cellar door is housed in original stone buildings that date back to the 19th century, providing a tangible connection to the estate's long history.

Visitors can enjoy guided tastings, learn about the estate's history and winemaking practices, and purchase wines directly from the source. The cellar door also offers picnic facilities, allowing guests to enjoy Bethany wines alongside local produce whilst taking in views of the surrounding vineyards and Barossa landscape.

Awards & Recognition

Bethany Wines has earned consistent recognition from critics and competitions, with the estate's Shiraz, Grenache, and Riesling receiving particular acclaim. The wines regularly earn gold medals at major Australian wine shows and high scores from leading critics including James Halliday, who has awarded Bethany a 5-star winery rating in his Wine Companion.

The estate's old-vine Grenache has been especially celebrated, recognised as one of the Barossa's finest examples of this variety and helping to establish Grenache's reputation as a serious, age-worthy wine rather than a simple blending component.

Sustainability & Stewardship

As custodians of vineyards that have been producing wine for over 150 years, the new ownership group takes seriously their responsibility to preserve these viticultural treasures for future generations. Sustainable farming practices, water conservation, and soil health are priorities, ensuring the long-term productivity and health of the estate's precious old vines.

The syndicate's commitment extends beyond the vineyards to supporting the broader Barossa community and preserving the region's unique character and heritage. This stewardship mentality honours the values of the original German settlers who established the Barossa wine industry and the Schrapel family who nurtured Bethany for six generations.

Food & Wine Pairing

Bethany wines are exceptionally food-friendly, with their balance and structure making them versatile pairing partners. The Shiraz complements rich, flavourful dishes including braised beef, lamb shanks, game, and aged cheeses. The Grenache pairs beautifully with roasted chicken, duck, mushroom dishes, and charcuterie, whilst the GR8 Barossa suits barbecued meats and Mediterranean cuisine.

The Riesling matches seafood, Asian cuisine, and spicy dishes, whilst the Semillon complements lighter fare including grilled fish, salads, and soft cheeses. The wines' natural acidity and moderate alcohol levels make them excellent table wines that enhance rather than overwhelm food.

Why Choose Bethany Wines

Wine Sellers Direct offers great value across the Bethany range, delivering historic Barossa Valley wines direct to your door with Australia-wide delivery. With over 150 years of winemaking heritage and access to some of the region's oldest vineyards, Bethany produces wines of authenticity, character, and exceptional quality.

Under new ownership by a passionate South Australian syndicate, Bethany enters an exciting new era whilst maintaining the traditions and quality that have defined the estate since 1866. Discover wines crafted from vines planted over a century ago, made using traditional methods that honour the Barossa's rich heritage. From powerful old-vine Shiraz to elegant Grenache and age-worthy Riesling, Bethany wines offer genuine provenance and the depth of character that only old vines and dedicated stewardship can deliver. Experience the taste of Barossa history in every bottle.