In an audacious stride that is reshaping the global wine landscape, Penfolds' chief winemaker, Peter Gago, has orchestrated a remarkable fusion: a pioneering blend marrying Australian Shiraz with French Syrah. This innovative creation, dubbed Grange La Chapelle, represents a bold departure from conventional winemaking, bringing together premium grape varietals from two distinct continents. Gago's vision extends beyond mere novelty; his objective is to amplify the global recognition of the Syrah/Shiraz grape, which he contends has been unfairly overshadowed by its counterpart, Cabernet Sauvignon. This daring endeavor not only challenges established norms but also underscores the transformative potential of cross-continental blending in enhancing the prestige of varietals that may have been previously underestimated.

The creation of Grange La Chapelle embodies a revolutionary spirit, pushing the boundaries of viticulture. Penfolds' commitment to innovation is evident in their willingness to embark on such an ambitious project, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach that could inspire new trends within the industry. By spotlighting the inherent quality and versatility of Shiraz/Syrah through this unique blend, Gago and Penfolds are making a powerful statement about the future of fine wine, suggesting that true excellence can emerge from unexpected collaborations across diverse terroirs.

A Transcontinental Viticultural Vision

Peter Gago's pioneering blend of Australian Shiraz and French Syrah, culminating in the esteemed Grange La Chapelle, signifies a monumental shift in the world of winemaking. This ambitious project, which combines the finest Shiraz from Australia—the very essence of Penfolds' iconic Grange—with Syrah from France's revered La Chapelle vineyard in the Northern Rhône, challenges geographical and traditional winemaking boundaries. The resulting 50:50 blend is a deliberate and provocative statement, first introduced with the 2021 vintage. The complex logistics involved in this venture are remarkable, with the precious French Syrah transported by air in temperature-controlled tanks to Penfolds’ facilities in Adelaide. Here, it is meticulously blended with the Australian Shiraz and undergoes further aging before bottling. This final stage must be completed in Australia due to stringent French regulations that prohibit the bottling of multinational blends within their borders. Gago's audacious pursuit is driven by a singular purpose: to elevate the global standing and prestige of the Syrah/Shiraz grape, a varietal he believes is often eclipsed by the more celebrated Cabernet Sauvignon, despite its immense potential for producing world-class wines.

Gago's vision for Grange La Chapelle extends beyond crafting an exceptional wine; it is a strategic maneuver to reposition Syrah/Shiraz within the pantheon of fine wines. He acknowledges that Cabernet Sauvignon, often hailed as the 'King of red grapes,' consistently garners significant attention and acclaim, dominating discussions and valuations in major wine regions such as Bordeaux and Napa, as well as emerging markets. In contrast, Syrah/Shiraz, despite being the backbone of Penfolds' own iconic Grange, experiences fluctuations in its perceived status, a 'ebb and flow' that Gago aims to stabilize and uplift. This disparity in recognition, he argues, is not a reflection of intrinsic quality—as evidenced by the consistently high quality of Shiraz wines—but rather a consequence of insufficient marketing and advocacy. Gago draws an analogy to major brands like Coca-Cola, which perpetually invest in advertising to maintain their relevance and desirability, regardless of their established market position. For him, Syrah/Shiraz demands similar, if not greater, attention and promotion to highlight its brilliance and secure its rightful place among the world's most distinguished varietals. The Grange La Chapelle blend, therefore, serves as a powerful testament to the grape's capabilities and a catalyst for renewed appreciation, demonstrating that when it comes to Syrah/Shiraz, 'you can never give it enough love.'

Elevating Shiraz's Global Prominence

Peter Gago's bold initiative to create Grange La Chapelle is intrinsically linked to his fervent desire to reposition the Syrah/Shiraz grape within the elite tier of global fine wines. He contends that this varietal, despite its inherent quality and historical significance, has been overshadowed by Cabernet Sauvignon, which consistently receives widespread adoration and recognition across premier wine regions globally. Gago points out that while Penfolds' own revered Grange is predominantly Shiraz, the grape itself often lacks the sustained appreciation afforded to Cabernet Sauvignon, which is perceived to hold a constant high-level status. This discrepancy, Gago believes, is not due to any deficiency in the grape's ability to produce outstanding wines, but rather a marketing challenge. He suggests that the wine industry, and indeed consumers, need to be continually reminded of Shiraz's potential for excellence, much like major consumer brands never cease promoting their products. By showcasing Shiraz in an unprecedented transcontinental blend, Gago aims to generate significant conversation and re-establish the grape's image as a leading varietal capable of producing world-class wines with profound complexity and character.

The historical context further illuminates Gago's motivation. He recalls earlier times when Shiraz/Syrah was unequivocally recognized for its fine wine status, citing instances where major Master of Wine tastings prominently featured Grange and La Chapelle together as benchmarks for red wine quality worldwide. This historical appreciation, however, appears to have waned over time, leading to the current perceived decline in the grape's image despite continued improvements in the quality of wines produced from it. Gago's analogy to Coca-Cola, a universally recognized brand that never ceases its marketing efforts, powerfully underscores his belief that constant advocacy is crucial for even the most established products or varietals. The Grange La Chapelle project is Penfolds' decisive response to this challenge, a strategic move not only to create a unique and highly prized wine but, more importantly, to reignite the discourse around the fine wine potential of Syrah/Shiraz. By demonstrating that exceptional blends can transcend regional and national boundaries, and that the sum of parts can indeed be greater than the individual components, Gago and Penfolds are making a compelling case for a renewed appreciation and a higher status for this noble grape, proving that it deserves endless 'love' and recognition in the global wine arena.