Two Hands Wines
South Australia's benchmark negociant, sourcing elite fruit from six regions to craft terroir-driven Shiraz expressions that earned Robert Parker's highest praise.
Two Hands Wines is Australia's most celebrated negociant producer, founded in 1999 and sourcing premium fruit across six regions. Robert Parker named it the finest negociant operation south of the equator. Wine Spectator included Two Hands in its Top 100 for ten consecutive years, from 2003 through 2012.
- Founded September 1999 by Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz; first vintage released in 2000 with just $30,000 investment
- Negociant model: approximately 95% of fruit sourced from other growers rather than estate vineyards
- Sources fruit from six Australian regions: Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley, Eden Valley, Langhorne Creek, and Heathcote (Victoria)
- Wines organized into four tiers: Flagship Series, Single Vineyard Series, Garden Series, and Picture Series
- Flagship wine Ares Shiraz is aged 24 months in new and one-year-old French oak
- Exports to over 24 countries globally
- State-of-the-art winery built in Marananga, Barossa Valley in 2004
Origins and History
Two Hands Wines began at a friend's engagement party in September 1999, when Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz decided to launch a wine venture. The first vintage followed in 2000, built on 17 tonnes of fruit and a $30,000 investment. A dedicated winery was constructed in Marananga in the Barossa Valley in 2004, and Holy Grail Vineyard planting commenced in 2016, marking the producer's gradual move toward growing some of its own fruit.
- Founded September 1999 at a friend's engagement party by Twelftree and Mintz
- First vintage in 2000: 17 tonnes of fruit, $30,000 startup capital
- Barossa Valley winery built in Marananga in 2004
- Holy Grail Vineyard planting began in 2016
Sourcing and the Negociant Model
Two Hands operates primarily as a negociant, purchasing roughly 95% of its fruit from growers rather than relying on estate vineyards. This model allows the winery to draw on premium parcels from six distinct Australian regions: Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley, Eden Valley, Langhorne Creek, and Heathcote in Victoria. The approach centers on expressing regional terroir through each wine, with Shiraz as the dominant focus alongside Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mataro, Roussanne, Semillon, and Sauvignon Blanc.
- 95% of fruit purchased from other growers across six Australian regions
- Key regions: Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley, Eden Valley, Langhorne Creek, Heathcote
- Shiraz is the primary focus, with Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Mataro also featured
- Winemaking is minimal intervention: no fining, minimal filtration
Wine Tiers and Key Labels
Two Hands organizes its range into four tiers. The Flagship Series represents the top 1 to 2 percent of barrels, selected through a rigorous blind tasting conducted six months after vintage. Below this sits the Single Vineyard Series, then the Garden Series launched in 2003, which includes Bella's Garden (Barossa), Lily's Garden (McLaren Vale), and Charlie's Garden (Eden Valley). The entry-level Picture Series features approachable wines including Angels' Share Shiraz, Gnarly Dudes, and Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon. The flagship wine, Ares Shiraz, is aged for 24 months in a combination of new and one-year-old French oak.
- Flagship Series: top 1-2% of barrels, selected blind six months post-vintage
- Garden Series (launched 2003): Bella's Garden (Barossa), Lily's Garden (McLaren Vale), Charlie's Garden (Eden Valley)
- Picture Series: Angels' Share Shiraz, Gnarly Dudes, Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon
- Ares Shiraz aged 24 months in new and one-year-old French oak
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Open in the app →Recognition and Legacy
Two Hands earned Wine Spectator Top 100 recognition for ten consecutive years from 2003 through 2012, a record that cemented its international reputation. Robert Parker described the producer as the finest negociant operation south of the equator. The winery now exports to over 24 countries, making it one of Australia's most widely distributed premium producers.
- Wine Spectator Top 100 for ten consecutive years: 2003 to 2012
- Robert Parker: 'the finest negociant operation south of the equator'
- Exports to over 24 countries worldwide
Two Hands Shiraz typically shows rich dark fruit, blackberry, plum, and dark chocolate with firm but polished tannins. French oak aging adds spice, cedar, and vanilla complexity. Garden Series wines reflect regional character, from the full-bodied warmth of Barossa to the more savory, earthy tones of Eden Valley.
- Two Hands Angels' Share Shiraz$18-22Entry-level Picture Series Shiraz delivering Two Hands approachability and Barossa fruit character.Find →
- Two Hands Bella's Garden Barossa Valley Shiraz$30-40Garden Series Barossa expression showcasing regional terroir with classic full-bodied structure.Find →
- Two Hands Lily's Garden McLaren Vale Shiraz$30-40Garden Series wine from McLaren Vale, offering savory depth alongside rich dark fruit.Find →
- Two Hands Ares Barossa Valley Shiraz$130-160Flagship wine from top 1-2% of barrels; aged 24 months in new and one-year-old French oak.Find →
- Two Hands is classified as a negociant-style producer; approximately 95% of fruit is purchased from growers across six regions
- Four wine tiers from top to entry: Flagship Series (top 1-2% of barrels), Single Vineyard Series, Garden Series, Picture Series
- Barrel selection uses blind tasting six months post-vintage; winemaking is no-fining, minimal filtration
- Ares Shiraz (flagship) aged 24 months in new and one-year-old French oak
- Founded 1999; Wine Spectator Top 100 for ten consecutive years (2003-2012); Robert Parker called it the finest negociant south of the equator