Rich and ripe, blueberry and chocolate flavours, tempered by savoury tannins and well balanced acidity. Pikes Wines is a beautiful location at Polish Hill River, near Sevenhill in the wonderful Clare Valley. With a history dating back to 1878, the Pike family has a past rooted in winemaking. Current custodians, Neil & Andrew form a formidable partnership creating wines that express terroir magnificently. Neil Pike grew up amongst his father, Edgars vineyards in Langhorne Creek and Padthaway . After doing a vintage in 1978 at Wynns Coonawarra he decided to study wine production and marketing at Roseworthy College. After he graduated in 1981, Neil worked as a winemaker making wine for several Clare Valley wineries before starting Pikes with brother Andrew in 1984. He has now completed 38 vintages in the Clare Valley. Andrew was introduced to the wine industry through his father Edgars vineyards in Langhorne Creek and Padthaway. Andrew attended Roseworthy Agricultural College, graduating in 1976 with a Diploma in Agriculture, and immediately joined Wynns Coonawarra Estate. After almost 4 years at Coonawarra, he joined Penfolds Wines in 1979 where he established a new vineyard project in the Clare Valley. The seeds for Pikes Wines were immediately sown, as he quickly realised Clares potential. Andrew become General Manger Vineyard Operations for the Southcorp Wine Group where he was responsible for over 6000 ha of corporate vineyard and all grape supply on a global basis. During this time he was also involved in the establishment of Pikes Wines in the Polish Hill River Valley sub region of Clare. In 1998 Andrew resigned his position at Southcorp to assist his brother Neil in the running of the Pikes family business.

Flor de Pingus is produced by the visionary Danish winemaker Peter Sisseck. Truffle-tobacco nose with sour cherry and fruitnnut tree aromatics, theres gamey beast-hide, and a purple storm raining minerals. Fine and radiant, with cool blue fruits - powder-tannined, nutty-inky-and-mineral in the mouth, this Tempranillo is Ribera del Duero from on high.

Upon much deliberation, our overall masked winner revealed a style and character that provided us with a fairly clear cut insight into the modern day advances of a region etched in history and tradition. Cosme Palacio consistently produces one of our favourite Riojas that always offers incredible value for money. Produced predominantly from Tempranillo grown in cool, relatively high altitude sites, this is modern Rioja that's bright and ready to go thanks to a touch of bottle age. It's medium bodied with fine tannins and juicy in the mouth. Black fruits dominate the flavour profile with some delicate cedar and earthy notes adding complexity to a delicious example from this much loved region.

Offering a range with a unique touch, featuringa different dog breed and personality on each wine. Toby's Shiraz Tempranillo feautres a French Bulldog and is a delightful mix of cherry and blueberry flavours, good oak and a savoury finish. Available in the very useful half bottle size.

This wine is a celebration of youth with vibrant aromas of violets and red summer berries while generous dark cherry, pomegranate and blackcurrant flavours enliven the palate.

Tempranillo blossoms in the Vale. Medium bodied style, approachable with attractive aromatics, dark cherries & spice, with hints of blackcurrant & blueberries and finishes with soft elegant tannins. Vegan friendly.McLaren Vale, “The Vale” is home to sustainable winegrowing in Australia with the highest number of certified organic and biodynamic vineyards in the country. David Paxton’s history of grape-growing in the Vale started in 1979 and today Paxton is a fully certified organic and biodynamic wine company who embrace sustainable practises in their vineyards and winery. Vale Organics honours McLaren Vale and the organic pioneers of this wonderfully innovative and sustainable wine growing region.

Tintara Tempranillo has an inviting nose of rich fruits and subtle hints of spice. A balanced harmonious palate follows, with initial primary fruit flavours of raspberry, sour cherry and plum followed by savoury and spice characteristics. This expressive medium bodied wine is complemented by a fine tannin structure and subtle texture, giving notable structure and length.

Deep cherry red, young and vibrant with bluish tones that denote its youth. Red and black fruit in the nose with resinous notes and hints of spice. Fruity and rounded with great balance on the palate.