Few wines have shaped the identity of Australian winemaking quite like Penfolds Grange. As the iconic label marks its 75th anniversary, the milestone is less about commemorating a single vintage than celebrating seven decades of innovation, resilience, and craftsmanship that have helped define Australia’s place on the global fine wine stage.
The Penfolds Grange 75th anniversary story begins in 1950, when Penfolds’ first Chief Winemaker, Max Schubert, travelled to Europe to study traditional winemaking. Inspired by the great wines of Bordeaux, he returned to Australia determined to create a red wine capable of ageing with the same elegance and longevity. That vision led to the first experimental vintage of Grange Hermitage in 1951, named after Grange Cottage, the original home of Penfolds founders Dr Christopher and Mary Penfold.
Grange’s path to recognition, however, was far from straightforward. Following a disappointing tasting in 1957, Schubert was instructed to abandon the project. Instead, he quietly continued producing Grange in secret, crafting three hidden vintages before the wine’s potential was finally recognised by Penfolds’ directors in 1960. That decision would prove pivotal, laying the foundation for what would become one of Australia’s most celebrated wines.
Over the decades, Grange has remained remarkably consistent in style. Built primarily around Shiraz, occasionally complemented by small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine is known for its rich fruit character, mature tannins, and distinctive influence of American oak. Multi-regional fruit sourcing from South Australia’s finest vineyards has also become a defining part of its identity, allowing Penfolds to preserve its signature House Style regardless of vintage conditions.
That consistency has earned Grange worldwide recognition. Across its 75-year history, the wine has received more than 37 perfect scores from leading international wine critics, while numerous vintages have been named Wine of the Year or recognised among the world’s finest Shiraz wines. Auction records further reinforce its collectability, with a complete Grange collection selling for AUD 430,000 and a single bottle of the inaugural 1951 Grange achieving around AUD 157,000.
Today, Grange continues to represent the pinnacle of Penfolds’ House Style while remaining true to the philosophy that inspired Max Schubert more than seven decades ago. Every vintage is created by a winemaking team that balances innovation with tradition, ensuring the wine evolves without losing the character that has made it an icon of Australian fine wine.
While the Penfolds Grange 75th Anniversary anniversary is being marked around the world, the milestone was also celebrated in Jakarta through an exclusive media wine pairing lunch at Bel Étage, The St. Regis Jakarta. Hosted by Josh Yim, Penfolds Brand Ambassador for Southeast Asia, the intimate luncheon paired a specially curated menu with three landmark Grange vintages—1999, 2009, and 2018—offering guests a rare opportunity to experience how the wine evolves across different decades. Throughout the lunch, Yim guided guests through the story of Grange, tracing its origins from Max Schubert’s bold experiment in 1951 to its position today as Australia’s most celebrated fine wine. A Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers and holder of WSET Levels 2 and 3 with distinction, Yim also shared insights into Penfolds’ House Style and the characteristics that have made Grange one of the world’s most collectible wines.
As Penfolds celebrates 75 years of Grange, the anniversary serves as a reminder that great wines are not defined by age alone. They are shaped by vision, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to quality – qualities that continue to place Grange among the world’s most respected collectible wines.
For more information, visit penfolds.com.
