A Symphony of Old World Soul and Barossa Heart
History
Torbreck Vintners was founded in the early 1990s in the Barossa Valley, South Australia, by David Powell, a passionate winemaker inspired by the Rhône Valley wines of France. Powell named the winery after his family’s Clydesdale stallion “Torbreck,” symbolising stature and strength. From the outset, Torbreck set out to champion Rhône varieties particularly Grenache, Shiraz (Syrah), and Mataro (Mourvèdre) grown on some of the oldest, head trained bush vines in the Barossa.
The winery quickly distinguished itself by sourcing fruit from vineyards planted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, some ungrafted on phylloxera, and vinifying in small batches to preserve purity and vineyard expression. Over the decades, through expansion and new vineyard acquisitions, Torbreck maintained a close relationship with growers, often working with biodynamic and organic plots.
Winemaking Philosophy & Process
Torbreck’s winemaking approach is rooted in gentle extraction, minimal intervention, and respect for vine age. Grapes are hand harvested, sorted, and often undergone whole bunch or foot treading fermentations in traditional open top vats. Fermentation takes place with ambient yeasts, followed by aging in French oak barrels, ranging from seasoned puncheons to small new barriques depending on the wine’s style and vintage.
Torbreck typically uses around 30–50% new oak for its flagship wines, balancing concentration with elegance. Malo lactic fermentation occurs naturally in barrel, and wines are racked once or twice before bottling, often unfiltered to preserve texture and aromatics. The result is full bodied Rhône-style wines that combine Barossa power with Old World finesse and spice.
Key Wines and Ranges - (due to current limitations on availability of these wines, our Torbreck portfolio will be boosted as the wines become available)
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The Laird: Their luxury flagship Shiraz, often sourced from the Barossa’s exceptional Eden Valley and Moppa patches. Renowned for depth and aging potential.
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RunRig: A blockbuster GSM blend (Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro) from some of the oldest bush vines—exciting, dense, layered.
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Les Amis: Pure Grenache from substantial bush‑vine plantings—bright, lifted, spicy.
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Vintners Myriad: A six variety blend reflecting the Barossa’s classical field blend spirit (Grenache, Mataro, Shiraz, Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne).
Lower tier expressions like The Descendant (Shiraz–Viognier) and Barossa Vines offer more approachable vintage bottlings.
Torbreck is known for a portfolio that reads like a love letter to Barossa's heritage. The flagship RunRig remains a powerhouse shiraz with a whisper of viognier, rich, layered and built to age. The Laird, sourced from Marananga, is a showstopper that rivals the worlds finest reds. Then ther's the Steading, a grenache led blend that sshowcases the elegance and complexity of old vine fruit. Even their whites, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier have earned critical acclaim for their texture and aromatic finesse.
The Winemaker
Ian Hongell is the embodiment of the Barossa Valley deeply connected to its soil, history, and enduring winemaking traditions. As Chief Winemaker at Torbreck Vintners, one of the region’s most prestigious wineries, he crafts powerful, age worthy wines from some of the world’s oldest vines.
A Barossa native with grape growing in his blood his father was a local vigneron Ian always knew his path would lead to the winery. After graduating with a winemaking degree in the 1990s, he began building a distinguished career that would take him across continents. His global experience shaped his perspective, but his heart never strayed from the Barossa. “I’ve worked in three different countries,” he says, “and when I come back, I know I’m in the place I want to be.”
Ian spent nearly 20 years at Peter Lehmann Wines, rising to the position of Chief Winemaker and honing his skill in crafting wines of structure and soul. In 2017, he joined Torbreck Vintners, where he now stewards ancient vine fruit into expressive wines that speak unmistakably of place. His approach in the winery is hands on and deliberate using traditional techniques, the finest oak barrels, and a minimalist philosophy that lets the vineyard shine. With the comforting hum of a cricket match on the radio, Ian works with quiet intensity to coax elegance and power from every vintage.
“To take fruit from vineyards planted in the 1850s—it’s a privilege,” he says. “These old vines give us something utterly unique. They offer depth, texture, and complexity you can’t find anywhere else in the world.”
Awards & Accolades
Torbreck's wines have racked up accolades like frequent flyer points. They have been names among the world's top 100 wine estates by Robert Parker, and their top cuvees regularly score in the high 90's from international critics. But perhaps more importantly they have earned the loyalty of wine lovers who appreciate authenticity, craftsmanship and a bit of daring.
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The Laird has frequently earned 98–100 points in top vintages, often named one of Australia’s greatest wines.
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RunRig and Les Amis consistently score 95+ points, and have been ranked among the best GSM/style blends globally.
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Les Amis secured multiple Top 100 Wines of the Year listings.
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Torbreck regularly wins awards for Best Rhône Style Wine, Best Shiraz, and has been featured in Hall of Fame lists at prestigious Australian wine shows.
Critics praise Torbreck for achieving intensity that still breathes, structure that refines over time, and depth that expresses place. Their older vintages demonstrate remarkable longevity and evolutionary complexity.
Legacy and Influence
Torbreck is widely credited with redefining international expectations for Barossa beyond “jammy Shiraz.” Its focus on bush vines, Rhône heritage varieties, and restrained winemaking has influenced many newer Barossa producers and helped spark a global trend toward ancient vine, Rhône style wines from Australia. The brand’s success in high-end export markets (Europe, North America, Asia) also opened doors for high-quality boutique Barossa wines internationally.
Sustainability & Vineyard Stewardship
In recent years, Torbreck has increased emphasis on regenerative agriculture, biodiversity, and low impact practices reflecting a commitment to the long term health of century old vines. Some vineyards receive minimal tillage, dry farming, and cover cropping, enhancing both vine resilience and soil vitality.
