Handpicked, single vineyard Clare Valley Riesling from the AB&D crew – this is their newest iteration that was first inspired by a ‘very special’ riesling from the ‘70s that changed Australia’s attitude towards wine forever. This year, it's dry in style. The prestige of Clare Valley shining through, a fresh and lively wine driven by lemon and white blossom.

There’s sunshine in these bottles. It has all the zesty acidity and juicy pear freshness that a Chenin Blanc promises. Crisp Granny Smith apples and an air of summer grass and sea spray. A lot of texture, a little ray of sunshine. Endlessly refreshing for a fleetingly delectable time.

From our friends at Barossa’s Palmetto Wine Co. comes a Pinot Noir that absolutely nails the brief. Vegan friendly and friendly on the wallet too, rejoice in a relaxed mix of fresh red cherry and black pepper, soft tannin and lifted acidity. A solid all-rounder fit to gain approval from all the friendship group’s palates.

Quiet by name, not by nature. This little Grenache Noir comes in bright and breezy, with raspberry, strawberry and cranberry doing most of the talking before peppery spice and dried herbs join the conversation. Soft tannins keep things easy, while a bright acidity weaves its way through all that juicy red fruit. Fresh, frisky and firing on all cylinders.

First crop from Breakneck Creek, a block on the eastern escarpment of McLaren Vale regenerated in 2023, tucked into the foothills above the Gulf. The Tinto is Shiraz made the way the name suggests — Spanish for red, and all the joy that implies. Nouveau-ish in style, slurpy and dark-fruited. Elderflower, purple fruit, cocoa, herbs and pepper keeping it honest. Fine tannin underneath, not a bruiser. Chill it slightly, don’t overthink it.

This rosé is kinda a snapshot of all that’s good about Unico Zelo, taking an experimental route to get here. Worth the wait? Of course. Clare Valley clarity by way of Polish Hill River Sangiovese. Depth of flavour and enough fruit to keep it interesting. Fresh, vibrant and dry. A classic already.    

Here’s a cruisey little red-fruited ripper, ready for your next get together. A cohesive collision of Malbec, Montepulciano, Sangiovese and a subtle splash of Merlot. This relaxed blend is aged in older oak and stainless steel lacing it with cherries, raspberries, and moreish acidity. So versatile, so glou-gable. 

Montepulciano is a central Italian’s idea of a big night out — deep colour, robust tannins, that ferrous, bloody edge that makes you want something substantial in front of you. The Leasks planted it on Sand Road because the warm maritime climate of the Vale fits like a glove. First 100% varietal release from the property. Blackberry tart, iodine, rosemary, dark chocolate. Grainy tannins with real grip, bright acidity keeping it from going heavy. Not a shy wine. Doesn’t pretend to be.

This Prosecco from the crew at Alpha Box & Dice positively glows in almost every way. Taking inspiration from the The Sun Card from the Tarot deck, in the glass it is gently bubbly, with a swirling bouquet of apple, blossom and pear. A dry style AKA how a Prosecco is supposed to be. It’s perfect on its own, or in a Spritz. 

A smashing little Pinot Noir from Unico Zelo in the affordable Tropo lineup, the wine for everyone. If you’re looking for a pure and light iteration of the variety at this price point, it’s a no-brainer. Apple and cherries on top with smoke and earth in support. Blueberries with fresh tannins, no oak just them easy-drinking vibes. Hard to go past. 

This hand crafted drop from Langhorne Creek fruit puts a new spin on a timeless style. Its velvety texture with a blackberry and cherry backbone complemented by soft spice elements, like cinnamon and clove, make for a very smooth and bright glass - time after time. Food wine, couch wine, beach wine, bonfire wine. You do you.

Pinot Grigio can be a bit of a wallflower. Not this one. Made in the crisp Italian style from South Australian fruit, it’s tight and zesty with pear, crunchy apple and grapefruit, plus white flowers, minerality and a little spice creeping in. There’s a salty edge to the acidity and surprising depth from a long, slow season. Bright, fragrant and more than just a pretty face.

Alpha Box & Dice newest iteration of the ever favoured Tarot Rosé has hand-picked Grenache sitting very pretty. Everything we want in a rosé, a gentle pressing on this McLaren Flat fruit has wondrous notes at play. Delicate fruit notes, fine boned acidity and a little mineral flare on the dry finish. Dare we even say a little savoury lean? Crunchy red apples, fresh strawberries, soft blossoms and salinity. Slurpability is high.

Falanghina wasn't on anyone's radar for McLaren Vale — until it was. The Leask brothers didn't chase the trend, they just planted what suited the sand.

Second-generation growers, first carbon-neutral certified winery in the state, running on a grass-to-glass ethos rather than certifications for show.

There's a perky undertow and yet there's plenty of flesh and softness to the wine. Washy texture, pleasant lithe flavours of lemon curd and lime juice with light honeycomb notes and some waxy pear.

Accidental trendsetter.

An ode to the Dad wines of the past. The classic McLaren Vale Shiraz has been pulled into the 21st century, preserving velvety tannins, black pepper and a hint of smoke with the addition of modern bright fruit. So fill your glass ’til its high tide- it is very very special after all. 

A blonde bombshell returns. Stout of bottle and of heart, the ToZzo Vermentino packs sundrenched fruit from the Riverland's fruitbowl, Berri's Santalum Grove Vineyard, and the Henosh Vineyard of the Adelaide Plains, to bring you a wild fermented dreamboat. Round and ready, with a subtly creamy mouthfeel and a bold citrus-led palate. Crisp, fresh, utterly drinkable Vermentino.

Combining Semillon and friends, this wine is named for a delightfully wicked feline friend named Lulu, a regular at Darlinghurst’s Darlo Bar. Made fabulously fresh, this is a playfully easy-going skinsy wine designed for knocking back with mates — wherever you decide your ‘bar’ is today. Yours or mine?

Get ready for a very special Cabernet Sauvignon. With its deep, rich colour and complex aroma, this wine is a nod to the classic Cabernet of the past with a modern twist. Bold notes of blue fruits, dried herbs and perfectly structured tannins for a silky smooth mouthfeel. Why settle for ordinary when you can experience something very special?

One thing that gladdens our hearts, is the great Italian varieties flowing forth from great growers in the Riverland…. Such a good thing. Here those fine folk at Unico Zelo, grab some of that mighty delicious Riverland Fiano from the ace Ricca Terra vineyards and weave their magic. Zesty and vivid with flavours of citrus, green apples and pear fruits with hints of ginger, almonds and white flowers. Walks the tightrope between texture and acidity with aplomb and it’s damn-delicious, lip-smacking drinking for summer.  

Forever relevant thanks to its neverending flexibility, Blush Ramato by Italian Plastic is powered by Pinot Grigio, fermented on skins for three weeks to draw out soft peach, watermelon and pear with a hint of pepper. Sandy loam over schist bedrock soils set up an elegant structure - cellar this one happily for up to ten years.

A sessionable little Sang from the crew in the Vale. Made for sharing and low tannin slurping, it’s an easy drinker that’s seen more stainless steel than oak, letting cherries and rhubarb run wild, with a little black pepper kick. Chill it down at midday, get stuck in while the sun’s still high in the sky and savour its refreshing acidity. 

"An imaginary state of absurd over-optimism"—that's Cloud Cuckoo Land, and once upon a time, you'd have had to live there full-time to think Riverland-grown Mediterranean varieties could yield as refined and textural a drop as this. Low intervention, high quality, and as irresistible a blend of Greco and Zibibbo as you can envision. Almond blossom, quince and ripe pears, cut through with citrus pith to balance. A joy to drink, optimism optional.