Winery Overview
Two Hands Wines was founded in early 1999 by Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz. The original aim shared by Michael and Richard was to make the best possible Shiraz-based wines from prized Shiraz growing regions throughout Australia. Their intention was, and still is, to showcase the diversity of Australian Shiraz by highlighting regional characteristics and allowing the fruit to be the primary feature of the wines. Two Hands refers to the very personable approach taken with each parcel of grapes, no matter how big or small. The wines are carefully guided through the viticulture and winemaking process by Michael Twelftree and winemaker, Matt Wenk. Two Hands’ first vintage was in 2000, starting with just 17 tonnes of fruit. In 2004 a state-of-the-art winery was built in the picturesque Barossa Valley in South Australia, specifically designed for small batch handling. To maximize the individual regional and varietal characteristics and to allow for greater quality control, every parcel of fruit, no matter how small, is handled separately from crushing through to fermentation and oak maturation. Premium fruit is now sourced from six of the finest Shiraz growing regions in Australia, and Two Hands works closely with their own vineyards and band of growers to ensure the full potential of each vineyard is reached. From the outset, Two Hands set out to be unique. This approach is reflected in everything from the names of the wines through to innovative packaging and, not least, the wines themselves. Two Hands has grown to be a clear market leader and now exports wines to over 24 countries around the world. From small beginnings, the winery has been able to manage its growth organically whilst maintaining an absolute quality focus. ‘Quality without compromise’ is a core value that drives all Two Hands decisions so, not surprisingly, the wines have received international acclaim from respected wine critics, with Robert Parker proclaiming Two Hands as ‘…the finest negociant operation south of the equator…’ and in November 2011, Two Hands was named in the Wine Spectator’s annual Top 100 for the 9th consecutive year, an achievement that has never been met by any other winery in the world.