Johann, winemaker & his wife Angela, Henschke ambassador

Johann is a sixth-generation member of the Henschke family, the eldest of Stephen and Prue’s three children. Johann graduated as a winemaker from the University of Adelaide in 2005, then gained extensive experience in his field throughout the winemaking world. His travels have taken him to Leeuwin Estate in Margaret River, Australia (2005), Felton Road in Central Otago, New Zealand (2006), Isole e Olena in Tuscany, Italy (2006), and Arietta in the Napa Valley, USA (2007).

In 2012 Johann completed his Masters in Viticulture and Oenology in Geisenheim in Germany, a year of which was spent studying there, a year in Montpellier in France and six months in Madrid in Spain.

It was in Spain where he met his now wife, Angela, who also comes from a family of long and significant winemaking tradition in Ribera del Duero, Torremilanos. Angela pursued her own career however, and went on to become a Dentist, based in Madrid. After Angela and Johann met, in 2013 the couple decided to move to Australia. Although she remains in the pursuit of a return to her Dental profession, she draws upon her inherent wine knowledge to assist the Henschke family through her work as an ambassador for Henschke.

Johann is now based in South Australia at the family winery, working as winemaker and viticulturist, as the fifth and sixth-generations transition through this important period of the transfer of knowledge, skills, and traditions.

With many of the challenges for the next generation already well-documented, Johann expects that innovation and careful strategic planning will be crucial tools for him and his peers to utilise. Above all, continuing on the traditional winemaking techniques which the Henschke family have used for generations, and ensuring that the Henschke continues to be nurtured in the same prudent way that it has always been, will allow it to be passed on to successive generations and to be held in the same high regard as it is today.

Johann recommends the adelaide hills merlot and cabernet sauvignon blend, ABBOTTS PRAYER for cellaring. “THE SOILS AND CONTINENTALITY OF THE REGION GIVE THESE VARIETIES THE ABILITY TO BUILD STRUCTURE, COMPLEXITY AND TEXTURE WITH AGE.”

Justine, marketing & public relations manager

Sixth-generation Justine manages all Henschke brand activity, including marketing, public relations, digital media, direct sales and events. Working for her family’s historic winery since she was young, Justine has fond memories of picking grapes, foot-stomping ferments and pouring tastings for guests.
Justine has a strong background in wine and also in the arts and communications fields, further developed through work, travel and study. After joining the small winemaking team at Henschke in vintages 2007 and 2008, and having completed an Advanced Diploma in Arts (Acting) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing), Justine put her skills into practice at the Australian Radio Network, wine retailer Wheeler Cellars in the United Kingdom, luxury fashion house Chanel in New York and PR firm The Cru Media + Communications in Sydney.
Returning to the family business in 2015 when she took on the role of Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Justine has continued to expand her wine knowledge with accreditations including the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits and The Australian Wine Research Institute Wine Assessment Course Institute (AWAC).
Justine’s wine judging credentials include the 2015/16 and 2018/19 Hot 100 Wines of South Australia, the 2019 Royal Melbourne Wine Awards and 2021 Drink Easy Awards. Justine manages the family’s involvement as a founding member of Australia’s First Families of Wine, is a board member of Wine Communicators of Australia and travels regularly as a Henschke brand ambassador.

Justine’s pick of the whites is the crisp and mineral
Julius Riesling. “it has great purity of fruit and ages beautifully.”

Andreas, Henschke ambassador

Sixth-generation Andreas is the youngest child of Stephen and Prue Henschke. He grew up surrounded by a passion for great winemaking on the family’s 100 hectare property in the Barossa’s Eden Valley and spent his school holidays helping his parents in the vineyards to train, prune and net vines, and pick grapes during vintage time.

In 2013, Andreas completed a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Adelaide and worked in various positions interstate and in New Zealand. The following year he joined South Australia’s water and wastewater utility, SA Water, in the role of Mechanical Engineer. He currently works as a Mechanical Engineer at WSP in Melbourne, a leading engineering professional services consulting firm.

Andreas is involved in many industry groups where he combines his passion for science and helping others. In particular, his role as Corporate Representative for Engineers Without Borders (SA) sees him coordinate learning programs for engineering professionals around Australia relating to humanitarian and aid programs.

Andreas’ experience with pumping systems, water supply and treatment, means he is well placed to develop alternative and ecologically friendly water solutions for the family business. With a keen interest in emerging water technologies, Andreas provides expert advice to support Henschke’s overarching approach to sustainable water management for its vineyards. Andreas’ involvement with the family business sees him travelling across Australia to promote Henschke though wine tastings and sharing stories about his family heritage and love for wine.

Andreas enjoys the textural and balanced GILES PINOT NOIR. “It has both purity of fruit and savoury tannins.”