Sumptious Magazine, October 2009

Naturally produced wines with outstanding drinkability!

Highbank's vines are grown without the use of chemical herbicides or insecticides, and have been farmed according to biodynamic principles for over 25 years.

The family vineyards are located only on the the highest banks of terra rossa soil, overlaying the cigar shaped limestone ridge of the renowned Coonawarra wine region.

Owners Dennis and Bonnie Vice believe, as custodians of the land, that it is their responsibility to farm it carefully, harvesting the fruit gently and nurturing the wines, with as little intervention as possible through a very natural wine making process.

"We believe that great wines begin in the vineyard," says Dennis. "For us, wine growing is a partnership wtih nature, a balance between our passion for excellence and out trust in the natural expression of soil, climate and vine, our unique terroir."

Highbank's holistic approach to wine making is reflected in the labelling of their wine. The bottom of the label depicts the Limestone Coast coastline, representing the geographical zone within South Australia, and the rose represents the use of companion plants to manage vineyard health.

Highbank's premium handcrafted wine is certainly gaining attention from wine enthusiasts and are regularly sighted on the wine lists of Australia's top restaurants. Wine critic Robert Parker recently described Highbank Coonawarra Proprietary Red as "a very impressive wine. Full-bodied, with outstanding richness, a cherry, multi-layered texture, admirable purity, and superb equilibrium and palate presence, this is a beautifully knit, restrained yet intensely-flavoured Cabernet Sauvignon based wine that is only hinting at its ultimate potential."

Highbank wines has also been compared to Leoville Las Cases from Bordeaux, the price of which can be up to four times the price of Highbank.

If you want to get a taste of the Highbank wines, you need to phone in advance as the cellar door is only open by appointment. And plan to stay a while and soak up the experience at Highbank's romantic vineyard accommodation.