Raise a glass! Wirra Wirra, the family-owned winery, is toasting to a remarkable milestone—50 years since the first vintage of their iconic Church Block wine hit the shelves in 1972.
The visionary behind Church Block was Greg Trott, who breathed new life into Wirra Wirra back in 1969. He was known for his ambitious dreams, but even he couldn’t have predicted the global success of Church Block. Now exported to over 20 countries, it stands as Australia’s top-selling premium red blend, priced at $15 and above.
This unique blend, hailing from McLaren Vale, combines Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Merlot. It’s earned a reputation for being both approachable and well-balanced right from the bottle, while still possessing the structure and quality to age gracefully in the cellar, according to Wirra Wirra CEO and Master of Wine, Matthew Deller MW.
“I joined Wirra Wirra in 2022, but it’s a winery that I have long admired,” he shared. “Church Block has always been well-known in the wine trade globally because of its style and consistency, a fine wine without the price tag.”
Church Block’s journey began humbly as a blend of different grape varieties. Back in 1972, Greg Trott was putting the finishing touches on the Wirra Wirra winery, which he had purchased as a ruin just three years earlier. Together with his cousin Roger, they had lovingly restored the ironstone cellars to their former late-1800s glory. The Church Block Grenache Shiraz at that time was sourced from a vineyard neighbouring the winery, which was also home to a small Bethany Church.
It was the renowned winemaker, Brian Croser, who persuaded Trott to switch things up and embrace a Cabernet Sauvignon blend. Croser, who was contracted to make Wirra Wirra wines at the time, saw Cabernet Sauvignon as a grape variety with greater global appeal.
The daunting task of blending the 50th anniversary Church Block fell to Chief Winemaker Emma Wood. Emma joined Wirra Wirra in July 2022, bringing her expertise from her previous role as Senior Winemaker at Penfolds. With the support of long-term Wirra Wirra Winemaker Kelly Wellington, Emma’s approach to crafting the 2022 Church Block was to return to the fundamentals.
“I was excited by the challenge of making this significant release,” Emma remarked. “For us, the task was to be uncompromising in the parcel selection and leave out anything that didn’t enrich the blend or add the balance and style that Church Block is famous for.”
The result is an exceptional vintage of Church Block, showcasing the classic leafy aromas of Cabernet Sauvignon, along with a luxurious mid-palate and a lingering finish. It’s a fitting tribute to 50 years of winemaking excellence. Cheers to Wirra Wirra and the legacy of Church Block!