Pinot Noir is said to tell stories of place; and what a tale this one tells. Crisp air and rolling vineyards, ancient soils, and vine vigour. Summer berries and undergrowth, lifted perfume and flickering fine tannins. Warming peppery spice, the most delicate crushed herbs and lithe gamey notes. So much to love here, almost impossible to believe these are early days. A wine that will leave you dreaming of distant hillsides.

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.

G.C.M. Grenache, Cinsault, Mataro. Light, vital, full of youthful exuberance we'd love to borrow. Whole-bunch fermentation, for a thirst-slaking, surprisingly refreshing red. Plums and cranberries, amaro and some form of far-flung spice blend. Maybe meatiness? Definitely deliciousness.

Oh yeah. Here's your bold, confident Barossa Shiraz, a generous, vibrant wine to be shared with friends and strangers alike. The quality is outstanding, blending a number of parcels across the valley. Wild-fermented and matured in seasoned French oak, this dark fruited elixir hits all the spots: a plush, spiced treat with a savoury finish. Silken with dark chocolatey character and blackberries. Unmistakably Barossa.

Truly transporting rosé; fit for fairyland, or at least one heck of a garden party. Mouthwateringly crisp, crunching with bright acidity. There's a spritz of red apple, white strawberry and blooming blossom on the nose, and an indulgently creamy mouthfeel to finish. Quality Grenache fruit, pressed off skins direct to stainless. A few months on lees, and there's not much else to it; just patience and a little bit of magic.

It's rare they make a bad McLaren Vale Grenache, but when you find a goodie, it's bloody good. Like this here quality quaffer by Bandit; super easy on the approach, all bright red strawberries and rhubarb compote. Candied fruit on the palate, with a great earthy base. Strong, tense and tannic, empties rapidly.

Richard and Malcolm Leask have been farming McLaren Vale for over forty years, but the Breakneck Creek Chenin is brand new — first crop from a block regenerated in 2023, on the eastern escarpment of the Vale tucked into the foothills above the Gulf. Whole-bunch pressed, long cold ferment in tank, 20% in old oak. Apple, guava, salted lime, ginger, beeswax. Crisp and fleshy, briny and chalky underneath. Chenin finding its feet in a new postcode. Exciting times.

Small-batch, minimal intervention Gamay from the Adelaide Hills, packing in juicy raspberry notes and silken texture. Lightweight and supple, with persistence and crisp acid. Brimming with bright red fruits and spice. Really quite delightful to drink—not a bottle to hold and hoard, but to whip out at the drop of a hat. Whenever, wherever. (shoutout Shakira)

Hats off to Yelland & Papps— you've got to give points for consistency, and the wines they put out from their Barossa based operation never miss. This textural Roussanne led white blend is no exception, with fruit from the Materne vineyard in Greenock. There's a lovely custardy smoothness to this wine, but bright fruit chirps through the creaminess; fleshy stone fruit, lemon, apples. Would cellar stunningly, but the acid balance is tip-top, now.

All berries, no stems. Splitting the pack, half is left on skins for a week, half is pressed immediately. Both elements added back to the blend for a textural, mostly white, ever-so-slightly orange wine with notes of tropical fruit and a beautiful acid drive. Super refreshing finish, like a dive into the ocean at Long Beach.

Pucker up– this lighter, fresher Cab Sauv is macerated on skins just two days, creating a fresh expression of the variety that drinks gorgeously at room temp, or brings surprising refreshment factor when chilled ten minutes. Sour cherries and slight bitterness are rounded by nuttier, savoury notes for a lip-smacking swift sipper.

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.

Mencía is Iberian by birth, Galician to be precise — the grape behind Bierzo and Ribeira Sacra, built for granite soils and Atlantic air. Richard Leask planted it on Sand Road in 2021 because it suits the Vale’s warmth and barely drinks any water. Smart farming and good instincts in equal measure. Twelve days gentle extraction, eight months in neutral oak, nothing heavy-handed. The result is floral and pulpy — raspberry pastille, a little spice, pomegranate and cherry cola, pithy tannins with a fine seam of acid keeping it honest.

Escape to the bottom of your glass with Thistledown’s latest and greatest. This McLaren masterpiece brings the best of clean citrus, creamy lemon curd and a little warming oak for a lusciously long, contemporary take on a captivating classic. 

This is not a club sandwich, but it’s got layers. Bitter herbs, perfumed Bergamot, and a crisp splash of Prosecco—stacked up like your taste buds ordered the deluxe. "I like my spritzes with a slice of citrus and lemon verbena" "So do I!" Well, let's form a club then. You’ve had a club sandwich, now try a Club Spritz. No crusts, all flavour.

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.

Chris Coulter spends his days making wine for one of the big South Australian players, then comes home and makes Perihelion — Adelaide Hills fruit from sustainably farmed vineyards, honest winemaking, no fuss. This Pinot has real substance. Red cherry, sour plum, forest floor, a dusting of kitchen spice, whole bunch character giving it shape and lift. Genuinely serious drinking.

A blend we can't get enough of: Adelaide Hills grown Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer. Absolute texture-topia. Nice structure and bright aromas. Gewürz always brings a little spice, and Pinot Gris lends itself well to a ripe, juicy fruit expression. Together they're Sonny and Cher, Frodo and Sam. It's a ripper pairing, ok.

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?

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.

A Pétillant Naturel made from the only planting of Bianco d’Alessano in Australia, grown just outside of Loxton in the Riverland. At only 9.5% alcohol, this is a wine for any time of day – or night – the perfect splash to add a little fun. Given its mix of perfumed citrus, tropical fruits, and pastry aromas, it sure sounds like a breakfast wine to us...