Hatten Wines, who are carving a niche for Bali on the global wine-production stage, has announced the re-release of its inaugural limited-edition Syrah 2018, marking another chapter in its success story.
The Hatten Reserve Syrah 2018 is the result of Hatten Wines’ unwavering commitment to producing premium red wines in Bali. The journey began in 2014 when the Founder of Hatten Wines, Pak Ida Bagus Rai Budarsa (Pak Gus Rai), brought fifty Syrah cuttings from the renowned Barossa Valley in South Australia to Bali. This marked the beginning of Bali’s first Syrah wine, a journey filled with passion, experimentation, and determination.
Revolutionising Wine Cultivation in Bali
Hatten Wines set out not only to redefine red wine quality in Bali but also to revolutionise wine cultivation practices in the region. The vineyard team, led by Pak Gus Rai, Hatten Wines’ winemaker James Kalleske and his team, extensively researched equatorial wine production techniques across Southeast Asia.
To further enhance their approach, a consultation on the installation of weather stations and soil analysis was conducted and consulted with leading viticulture experts Dr Richard Smart and Wolfgang Schaefer, the founder of Tropical Viticulture Consultants, Germany.
Innovation in Winemaking: From Vine to Bottle
The Shiraz clone SA1654, chosen for its intense crimson colour, chocolate, spice, and black pepper flavours, was planted on a VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioning) fence—a first in Bali. This method, coupled with meticulous vineyard management and a modern drip-irrigation system, resulted in the successful cultivation of 4500 Shiraz grapevines in the three-hectare block known as SL1 (in Sanggalangit, the vineyard owned by Hatten Wines at Singaraja, North Bali).
In October 2018, the first harvest took place, symbolically overseen by Pak Gus Rai. The grapes, hand-sorted for quality, underwent gentle fermentation to preserve the tropical vineyard flavours. The wine was then aged for twenty-four months in French oak barrels, resulting in a medium-bodied and complex expression of warm climate, equatorial winemaking.
Tasting Notes: A True Expression of Balinese Terroir
The Hatten Reserve Syrah 2018 is a medium-bodied, elegantly fragranced wine with layers of complex berry fruits, structured grape skin tannins, and a distinctive black pepper character. This unique Syrah, differentiated by name from Shiraz, showcases the terroir of Bali and reflects a more old-world Syrah style.
The Vintage Syrah 2018: Bali’s First Syrah – Now Available for Purchase
With only 580 bottles initially produced, the Hatten Reserve Syrah 2018 quickly became a collector’s item. Now, Hatten Wines has announced that it is re-releasing the limited edition vintage wine, and it is available for purchase exclusively at the Hatten Wines Cellardoor in Sanur, Bali. It will be an opportunity for wine enthusiasts to acquire a rare gem and experience the magic of Bali’s terroir in every sip.
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