John Duval was appointed Chief Winemaker at Penfolds in 1986, overseeing one of the most dynamic periods of change in the Australian wine industry. Duval was born a winemaker, his family had operated a world famous sheep stud farm and quality vineyards south of Adelaide for many years, coincidentally supplying Shiraz grapes and vine cuttings to Penfolds, some formed the backbone of the mighty Grange Hermitage. Entity Shiraz is vinified under submerged cap in traditional open fermenters. Some batches complete their course in new oak. The finished wine is treated to fifteen months in a high selection of new 300 litres fine grain French oak hogsheads.