Heathvale Vineyard's "The Encounter" is an estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon from the elevated Eden Valley sub-region of the Barossa in South Australia. The winery's origins trace back to 1865, when William Heath first cultivated this land; today the property is stewarded by Trevor March, who re-established the vineyards in 1987. The name reflects the winery's philosophy: "An unexpected moment of significance that becomes a record of truth and promise."

The wine is crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon vines planted in sandy loam over scattered pockets of red clay, grown using cane pruning for renewed one-year-old wood each growing season. Winemaking is low-intervention: cold-soaked, fermented with wild yeast and co-inoculated with mlf yeast, then basket-pressed to French oak (30% new) with no fining. The result is a wine of deep structure and precision. On the nose, pippy blackcurrant purity and freshness lead, supported by savoury notes of fennel, wet gravel stones, and damp earth. The palate is full-bodied but fine-boned, with dark blackcurrant and tapenade fruit at its core. The 2019 vintage received 95 points and a Gold Medal from the James Halliday Wine Companion.

Enjoy with roast lamb seasoned with rosemary, thyme, and garlic, or serve alongside aged hard cheeses and charcuterie. Alcohol: 14.5%. Sealed with a screw cap for optimal freshness.