Few wines have achieved the enduring prestige and global recognition of Penfolds Grange. As Penfolds celebrates the 75th anniversary of its flagship wine, the milestone marks not only the legacy of an iconic label but also three-quarters of a century of craftsmanship, innovation and uncompromising pursuit of excellence.
An Icon of Winemaking Excellence
First created in 1951 by Penfolds’ first Chief Winemaker, Max Schubert, Grange was born from an ambitious vision; to produce a full-bodied Australian red wine with the cellaring potential of the great wines of Europe. What began as an experimental vintage has since evolved into one of the world’s most collectable and consistently celebrated fine wines, establishing itself as the benchmark of Australian winemaking.
First created in 1951 by Penfolds’ first Chief Winemaker, Max Schubert, Grange was born from an ambitious vision; to produce a full-bodied Australian red wine with the cellaring potential of the great wines of Europe. What began as an experimental vintage has since evolved into one of the world’s most collectable and consistently celebrated fine wines, establishing itself as the benchmark of Australian winemaking.
For 75 years, Grange has remained true to the Penfolds House Style, distinguished by its philosophy of multi-regional sourcing and the art of blending. An unbroken line of vintages has ensured that each release reflects not only the character of the growing season but also the enduring principles that have defined Grange since its inception.
Today, that legacy continues under the stewardship of Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker and only the fourth custodian of Grange in the wine’s history. Having joined Penfolds in 1989 and appointed Chief Winemaker in 2002, Gago has played a pivotal role in maintaining the wine’s renowned quality while overseeing Penfolds’ broader international winemaking initiatives, including its Country of Origin endeavours in California and France.
Throughout its remarkable history, Grange has earned global recognition for its exceptional consistency and quality. The wine has received more than 37 perfect scores from leading international wine critics, reinforcing its standing among the world’s most celebrated fine wines.
Today, that legacy continues under the stewardship of Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker and only the fourth custodian of Grange in the wine’s history. Having joined Penfolds in 1989 and appointed Chief Winemaker in 2002, Gago has played a pivotal role in maintaining the wine’s renowned quality while overseeing Penfolds’ broader international winemaking initiatives, including its Country of Origin endeavours in California and France.
Throughout its remarkable history, Grange has earned global recognition for its exceptional consistency and quality. The wine has received more than 37 perfect scores from leading international wine critics, reinforcing its standing among the world’s most celebrated fine wines.
Among its many accolades, the 1990 Grange was named Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year, while the 2001 Grange received The Wall Street Journal’s Wine of the Year recognition. The 2008 Grange became the first Australian wine to receive perfect 100-point scores from both Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate. More recently, the 2012 vintage was awarded 100 points by Andrew Caillard MW, while the 2018 Grange has become one of the most highly decorated vintages, earning multiple perfect scores from wine critics around the world.
To commemorate this significant anniversary, Penfolds hosted exclusive celebratory wine and food pairing dinners in Kuala Lumpur, offering invited guests the opportunity to experience Grange through a carefully curated vertical tasting. Thoughtfully paired with a bespoke menu, the evening highlighted the wine’s remarkable structure, complexity and ageability, demonstrating how Grange continues to evolve gracefully across successive vintages.
Beyond the accolades, Grange represents a philosophy that has defined Penfolds for generations—one that embraces craftsmanship, precision and innovation while remaining faithful to its heritage. From Max Schubert’s pioneering vision in 1951 to the stewardship of Peter Gago today, Grange continues to exemplify the enduring pursuit of excellence that has shaped Penfolds into one of the world’s most respected names in fine wine.
As Penfolds celebrates 75 years of Grange, the anniversary serves as both a tribute to an extraordinary winemaking legacy and a reminder that true icons are defined not by a single vintage, but by their unwavering ability to inspire, evolve and set the benchmark for generations to come.