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Amrita is an ancient Indian word meaning “Nectar of the Gods” , a drink that bestowed immortality.

The spotlight this month is on one of our newest wineries, Golden Amrita, a family owned company owned by the Liu family that for many generations has produced the finest quality aged Pu’er vintage teas in Yunnan province in Southern China

The Liu family reside in both Adelaide and Yunnan Province, and this interest in high quality products led them to the purchase in 2017 of a small estate vineyard situated in the Greenock sub-region of the Barossa Valley.

Being considered one of the finest tea producers from the Yunnan province, the Liu family understand the importance on quality in all aspects of production, and aim to build from the bottom up, a quality brand from the highest quality grapes, reputation and provenance.  Pu’er tea is a very distinctive, richly flavoured tea and the family see synergies with this in the richer style of Barossa Shiraz.

The vineyard is expertly managed for Golden Amrita by a sixth generation family of Barossa vignerons, the Kalleske family.  Nathan Kalleske and his sons were managing the vineyard when the Liu family purchased it from the previous owners. With the new focus on quality over volume, yields have been reduced, foliage wire added, and no herbicides are now used for weed control, only mechanical tilling. In 2019 Nathan’s brother Shawn Kalleske (a highly experienced Barossa winemaker who owns Laughing Jack Winery) met the family and agreed to take over their winemaking.

In mid- 2020 the family approached renowned Barossa winemaker Kym Milne (MW) about working with the Kalleske family to oversee the project, assisting with blending and general wine advice. After meeting with the family, visiting the vineyard and tasting the wines Kym was so impressed by the Liu family’s dedication and aspirations, he agreed to join the project.

The result is a magnificent Single Estate Shiraz from the best 20 year old Australian Shiraz vines on a single vineyard estate.