The Barossa Valley was originally settled in 1842 by German migrants who fled religious persecution.

Early settlers tried many crops including corn, wheat, tobacco and cattle.

Fortunately wine grapes emerged as the most successful crop and the rest is history.

The Barossa Valley is a small valley surrounded by low lying hills. It lies approximately north/south. The climate in the floor of the valley is ideal for the production of red table wines, while the elevated land on the surrounding hills is ideal for cooler loving varieties such a Riesling. The high hills to the east and the proximity to Gulf St Vincent to the west results in some cooling most nights. This is essential for the production of high quality grapes.

In general the climate is Mediterranean, with cool winters and hot, dry summers.

The valley receives about 550 millimetres of rain each year, most of it falling in the winter months.

The grapes are grown in sandy soil which sits upon a clay base.

Heidenreich Vineyards introduces a minimal amount of irrigation water to offset the effects of low rainfall. As a result, the crop is intentionally reduced resulting in very intense flavours in the fruit.