How St Hugo Selects Its Fine and Rare Collection

The acclaimed local winemaker offers a back catalogue collection of its most important cabernet vintages.

By Terry Christodoulou 30/03/2020

When St Hugo started producing wine in 1980 it focused solely on its Coonawarra cabernet sauvignon. To chief winemaker Peter Munro, it remains the spirit of St Hugo.

“It was the first wine St Hugo created, and for the first 30 years it was the only wine we made,” explains Munro. “The Coonawarra cabernet is by far and away our most important wine in the portfolio”

Expansion has come over what’s now been 40 years, St Hugo today producing chardonnay and riesling alongside a number of shiraz and grenache varietals that showcase the outfit’s enviable Barossa Valley location.

Still, in releasing its Fine and Rare collection, the label has focused on its roots – this a back-issue catalogue of the best in Coonawarra cabernets, ones hidden in carefully monitored conditions to be released on maturity, offering a chance to indulge the wine’s full potential.

“We built these wines to be drunk at around 10-15 years of age and it’s nice to be able to show our customer what our vision was back when we were creating it.”

Featuring as part of the Fine and Rare collection are the 1998, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 vintage Coonawarra cabernets.

Previously only available to purchase at the winery, the collection is now available through select wine merchants and the St Hugo Wine club.

St Hugo