About the Wines
Flight
Entree
Flight 1 – Western Australia
- Frankland Estate – Isolation Ridge, Syrah 2019
- Leeuwin Estate – Art Series, Margaret River, Shiraz 2022
Flight 2 – Victoria
Flight 3
- Tyrells’s – Old Hillside Vineyard, Hunter Valley, Shiraz 2022
- Shaw + Smith – Adelaide Hills, Shiraz 2019
- d’Arenberg – The Laughing Magpie, Shiraz Viognier 2018
Flight 4 – Clare/Barossa Valley
- Jim Barry – The McRae Wood, Clare Valley, Shiraz 2021
- Torbreck – Woodcutter’s, Barossa Valley, Shiraz 2021
- Glaetzer – Bishop by Ben Glaetzer, Barossa Valley, Shiraz 2021
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Where to buy?
- De Bortoli ‘Woodfired’ Shiraz
- 2019 Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Shiraz
- 2022 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Shiraz
- 2021 Mount Langi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz
- 2023 Domenica Shiraz
- 2022 Tyrrell’s Old Hillside Vineyard Shiraz
- 2019 Shaw + Smith Shiraz
- 2018 d’Arenberg The Laughing Magpie Shiraz – Viognier
- 2021 Jim Barry The McRae Wood Shiraz
- 2021 Torbreck Woodcutter’s Shiraz
- 2021 Glaetzer Bishop Shiraz
About the Wineries
Tyrrell’s Wines (1858)
Tyrrell’s Wines is a renowned, family-owned Australian winery established in 1858 by Edward Tyrrell in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, with the legacy now spanning five generations. Celebrated for its pioneering achievements, such as producing Australia’s first commercial Chardonnay (Vat 47) and championing the region’s Semillon—most notably their Vat 1 Hunter Valley Semillon, the country’s most awarded white wine—the winery has played a key role in shaping the Australian wine industry. Under the current leadership of Bruce Tyrrell and his family, Tyrrell’s continues its commitment to innovative winemaking, vineyard sustainability, and producing acclaimed single-vineyard wines, cementing its status as a cornerstone of Australian wine heritage.
d’Arenberg (1912)
d’Arenberg is a celebrated, family-owned winery founded in 1912 in the McLaren Vale region of South Australia, now run by the fourth generation of the Osborn family with Chester Osborn as chief winemaker. Known for its distinctive quirky wine names, striking modern architecture (like the five-storey d’Arenberg Cube), and traditional winemaking techniques such as basket pressing and foot treading, d’Arenberg has grown to produce over 70 different wines from more than 30 grape varieties. As Australia’s largest certified biodynamic estate, d’Arenberg is also recognized for sustainable viticulture, minimal intervention, and a portfolio ranging from standout reds like The Dead Arm Shiraz to expressive whites. The winery combines a strong respect for history, consistent international accolades, and innovations in visitor experience, making it one of McLaren Vale’s most iconic wine destinations.
De Bortoli (1928)
De Bortoli Wines is a prominent, fourth-generation family-owned Australian wine company founded in 1928 by Italian immigrants Vittorio and Giuseppina De Bortoli in the Riverina region, now managed by their descendants, with Darren De Bortoli as managing director and Steve Webber leading winemaking at the Yarra Valley estate; the company operates four wineries across Riverina, Hunter Valley, Yarra Valley, and Rutherglen, is known internationally for its acclaimed Noble One botrytis Semillon dessert wine, and maintains a strong commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation in premium and diverse wine styles, making it one of Australia’s largest and most respected wine producers today.
Mount Langi Ghiran (1969)
Mount Langi Ghiran is an acclaimed Australian winery established in 1969 in the Grampians region of Victoria, celebrated for producing one of the country’s most iconic cool climate wines, particularly its Langi Shiraz, from distinctive old vines rooted in granite and loamy red soils beneath the dramatic backdrop of the Great Dividing Range. With a site that’s isolated and strongly reflective of its terroir, the estate’s early history involved the Fratin family replanting the vineyard, and later stewardship by renowned winemakers such as Trevor Mast and, currently, Adam Louder. The estate, now under the Rathbone family ownership, cultivates around 70 hectares, focusing not only on Shiraz but also planting Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, and several other varieties, firmly establishing itself through sustainable practices as a benchmark for cool climate Australian wines
Leeuwin Estate (1973)
Leeuwin Estate is one of the founding wineries of Western Australia’s Margaret River region, established in 1973 by Denis and Tricia Horgan after early mentorship from Robert Mondavi, and remains family owned and operated today. The winery is internationally acclaimed, best known for its “Art Series” Chardonnay—which gained global attention in the early 1980s and is now considered among Australia’s premier wines—and produces wines noted for their purity, clarity, and site expression. Leeuwin Estate is also recognized for its beautiful setting, award-winning restaurant, art gallery, and commitment to sustainable viticulture, with a continued focus on quality and the celebration of wine, food, and the arts
Frankland Estate (1988)
Frankland Estate is a renowned, family-owned and ecologically sensitive winery located in the Frankland River region of Western Australia, established in 1988 by Barrie Smith and Judi Cullam and now run by second-generation siblings Hunter and Elizabeth Smith, with Brian Kent as winemaker. The estate is known for its organic-certified Isolation Ridge vineyard, producing distinctive cool-climate wines—especially Riesling, Shiraz, Cabernet Franc, and Chardonnay—with a focus on expressing the land’s unique coffee rock soils and pristine environment. Frankland Estate consistently receives high acclaim for its sustainably farmed, elegant, and authentic wines that reflect both the rugged remoteness and natural beauty of Australia’s southwest.
Shaw + Smith (1989)
Shaw + Smith is a highly regarded winery founded in 1989 by cousins Michael Hill Smith MW and Martin Shaw in the Adelaide Hills of South Australia, specializing in cool-climate varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Shiraz produced from their own vineyards in Balhannah and Lenswood. Known for meticulous vineyard management and innovative winemaking led by a talented team including Adam Wadewitz, the estate is celebrated for wines that reflect the region’s unique terroir and seasonal expression, with a commitment to sustainability and minimal intervention. Their Sauvignon Blanc in particular has become a benchmark in Australia, and the winery’s tasting room offers immersive experiences that showcase Shaw + Smith’s commitment to site-specific quality and modern craftsmanship.
Torbreck Vintners (1994)
Torbreck Vintners is a renowned Australian winery in the Barossa Valley, founded in 1994 by Dave Powell with a vision to honor and rejuvenate the region’s extraordinary old vineyards, particularly focusing on Rhone varietals such as Shiraz, Grenache, and Mataró. Named after a Scottish forest connected to Powell’s heritage, Torbreck has become a global benchmark for Barossa Shiraz, producing both celebrated reds—like its flagship RunRig—and acclaimed whites from varieties including Viognier and Marsanne. The estate is committed to minimal intervention winemaking, sustainable vineyard practices, and partnerships with multi-generational growers to maintain access to fruit from some of the world’s oldest vines. Now led by proprietor Pete Kight, Torbreck remains dedicated to expressing Barossa terroir, combining deep-rooted tradition with innovation, and welcoming visitors at its celebrated cellar door
Glaetzer Wines (1995)
Glaetzer Wines is a family-owned boutique winery in the Barossa Valley, South Australia, established in 1995 by Colin Glaetzer after three decades of winemaking experience. The Glaetzer family’s viticultural roots in the region date back to their German ancestors settling in Barossa in the late 19th century, making them some of the earliest recorded winegrowers in both the Barossa and Clare Valleys. Today, Colin’s son Ben Glaetzer leads the winery, sourcing fruit from the northern Barossa sub-region Ebenezer, renowned for ancient dry-grown vineyards, including ultra-low-yielding, non-grafted bush vines aged up to 110 years. Glaetzer Wines specializes in super-premium, site-specific reds—especially Shiraz, Grenache, and Shiraz/Cabernet blends like Amon-Ra and Anaperenna—that showcase concentrated fruit, elegance, and a distinctly Barossan character
Domenica Wines (2012)
Domenica Wines is a boutique estate in Beechworth, Victoria, Australia, established in 2012 by Peter Graham after taking over from the previous joint venture with Rick Kinzbrunner and Michel Chapoutier; the 4–5 hectare vineyard sits atop a granite ridge at 460 meters and is planted mainly to Chardonnay, Nebbiolo, Shiraz, and Gamay. The winemaking ethos is rooted in tradition, with grapes farmed organically (uncertified), wild ferments, and gentle handling to highlight the granitic terroir’s mineral texture and expressive character. Peter Graham, known for his experience at iconic Giaconda, meticulously crafts cellar-worthy wines—especially Chardonnay, Shiraz, and Nebbiolo—that are celebrated for their refinement, texture, and Old World inspiration.
Halliday Wine Companion
Halliday Wine Companion is the leading authority on Australian wine, originally founded by critic James Halliday in 1986 and now encompassing an annual guidebook, digital platform, quarterly magazine, wine education academy, and subscription wine club. Its team of expert critics reviews thousands of Australian wines each year, providing detailed tasting notes, star ratings, regional insights, and cellar recommendations, making it the most comprehensive database of tasting notes and winery profiles in Australia. The companion is highly valued for its annual awards, which spotlight the nation’s best wines, wineries, winemakers, and viticulturists, and is a trusted reference both for casual drinkers and serious collectors seeking guidance on quality and value.
| Winery | Location | Ha | Dozens |
| d’Arenberg | South | McLaren Vale | 205 | 220.000 |
| Tyrrell’s Wines | NSW | Hunter Valley | 141 | 140.000 |
| Torbreck Vintners | South | Barossa Valley | 112 | 70.000 |
| Leeuwin Estate | Western | Margaret River | 160 | 50.000 |
| Mount Langi Ghiran | Victoria | Grampians | 70 | 45.000 |
| Shaw + Smith | South | Adelaide Hills | 62 | |
| Glaetzer Wines | South | Barossa Valley | 20 | 15.000 |
| Frankland Estate | Western | Frankland River | 32 | 17.000 |
| De Bortoli (Hunter Valley) | NSW | Hunter Valley | 36 | 10.000 |
| Domenica Wines | Victoria | Beechworth | 5 | 1500 |
Wine Searcher
Wine-Searcher is a global vertical search engine and price comparison platform for wine, spirits, and beer, enabling users to find real-time prices and availability from thousands of merchants and producers worldwide, while offering tools like label recognition, critic scores, encyclopedia content, and marketplace services for both consumers and the wine industry.
- Mount Langi Ghiran [shiraz 86%)
- Glaetzer Wines (61%)
- Torbreck Vintners (41%)
- Tyrrell’s Wines (35%)
- d’Arenberg (32%)
- Shaw + Smith Wine (30%)
- De Bortoli Wines (13%)
- Leeuwin Estate (16%)
- Frankland Estate
- Domenica Wines
Wikipedia
- De Bortoli Wines
- Frankland Estate
- Leeuwin Estate
- Mount Langi Ghiran
- Tyrrell’s Wines
- Shaw + Smith
- d’Arenberg
- Torbreck Vintners
- @darenbergwine (31.4K followers)
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- @glaetzerwines (2.3K)
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Shiraz
Generally fahionable alternative to Cabernet Sauvignon with a complex and surprising family background – Wine Grapes
Syrah’s most famous and historic home is the vineyards of the northern Rhône, such as Hermitage and Côte Rôtie.
Cross between Mondeuse Blanche (Savoie) and Dureza (Ardèche), related to Viognier.
Documentary
Australian Wine
Shiraz has been in Australia longer than many other varieties and today it’s made in almost every wine region and loved around the world. Shiraz wines are known for their bold flavours and diversity of styles.
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Shiraz is so important to Australian viticulture that it is the most planted grape variety in the majority of the country’s vineyards. It has become virtually synonymous with the country’s main wine regions, and in particular the Barossa Valley.
Australia’s history with the grape dates back well to the mid 19th Century. A number of these pioneering wine properties remain, and in Barossa in particular many parcels of vines of well over 100 years of age are still farmed today. No other region, including Hermitage and Côte Rôtie, has such a concentration of very old vines.
Regionality
Regional Styles and Tasting Profile
- Barossa Valley Shiraz is famous for its power, rich blackberry and chocolate notes, and age-worthy tannins.
- Clare and Eden Valleys yield wines with blackberry, licorice, sage, and pepper nuances.
- McLaren Vale’s proximity to the sea produces plush, chocolate-laced, blueberry-rich Shiraz.
- Hunter Valley Shiraz offers red fruit, savory cues, and is often more medium-bodied.
- Heathcote and Adelaide Hills show minerality, spice, and fresher fruit in cooler climates.
Old Vine
- Australia’s largest wine companies by total revenue
- Australia’s largest wine companies by total wine production
McLaren Vale
McLaren Vale is one of the most geologically complex wine regions in the world.
Books
- The Australian Ark, Andrew Caillard MW 2023
- How to Drink Australian: An Essential Modern Wine Book, Jane Lopes, Jonathan Ross 2023
- The Wines of Australia, Mark Davidson, 2024
- Wine Atlas of Australia, James Hallidays, 2014