Clare Valley’s Jim Barry is a name known around the world – a byword for quality and wine expertise. A founding member of Australia’s First Families of Wine, the Barry family celebrated the 60th anniversary of its winery in 2020, the year it also scooped the title of Halliday’s ‘Winery of the Year’. Over three generations the Barry name has been famous throughout the wine world and synonymous with the Clare Valley. Jim Barry bought his first vineyard here in 1959, and even helped the Taylor family open their winery a decade later. Son Peter took over Jim Barry in 1985, and today brothers Tom and Sam, with sister Olivia, have raised the bar even higher.Their range includes flawless Riesling (think Florita), unique Assyrtiko – a Greek white grape Peter introduced to Australia in 2016 – and exciting reds, including the iconic $350+ Armagh Shiraz. Tom (Gourmet Traveller WINE’s Young Winemaker of the Year 2013) and the impressively bearded Sam continue to push boundaries in style and flavour. "Clare Valley Shiraz is about brightness of fruit. The Eastern Ranges vineyard is one of the Clare Valley’s highest Shiraz vineyards and produces medium bodied Shiraz with bright red and purple fruit and lots of energy and freshness" says winemaker Tom Barry.

Rowlee’s vineyard was planted over 20 years ago by Nik and Deonne Samodol in the high-elevation (950m) cool climate of Orange. Their daughter, Nicole Samodol, and her partner James Manny ‘combine European wine growing heritage with New World practices. This Chardonnay has subtle lemon and grapefruit citrus with underlying nougat and cashew notes.

Multi Trophy-winning Sam Trimboli must be one of the country's most in-demand winemakers. But after 30-odd years working for other wineries, he took the big step of setting up on his own in 2018 – and, being an old friend of ours, we backed him every step of the way. In return, Sam creates some excellent wines just for us, most have become bestsellers. We suspect this cracking Chardonnay will shortly join them.

Between Rhône and Provence, Ventoux takes its name from the imposing mountain which forms the backdrop to its ancient vineyards. Its footslopes provide ideal terroir for growing exceptional quality grapes, a fact first recognised by the Perrin family over 40 years ago when they discovered this sandy (safres) plot. As the Ventoux name implies, it's a windy region and, coupled with the height of vineyards, the area’s red wines have “a kind of mountain coolness and freshness” (Andrew Jefford). This is a terrific wine from the 5th-generation Perrin family, the leading organic producer of the southern Rhône. Using a classic blend of grapes, it's a vibrant red with scents of herbal fruit and tobacco. Ideal with lamb kebabs or roast squash pilaf.

Jeff and Vicky Dewar established Willow Bridge Estate after acquiring a spectacular 180ha hillside property in the Ferguson Valley. Under winemaker Kim Horton, "many of its wines offer exceptional value for money" (Halliday). This WA Shiraz from Geographe boasts aromas of black pepper, blueberry, and vanilla, with ripe blackberry circling underneath. Black plum and blackberry, showing presence on the palate, with dark olive, warming long tannin and flavoursome toasty oak in support.

Jeff and Vicky Dewar established Willow Bridge Estate after acquiring a spectacular 180ha hillside property in the Ferguson Valley. Under winemaker Kim Horton, many of its wines offer exceptional value for money. This Solana Tempranillo has loads of plum and raspberry fruits. A style that exudes vibrancy and complexity. Distinctive generosity of dark berry fruits with mouthwatering tannins which match perfectly to food. Aromatics of rose hip, licorice and black jube, blueberry fruits with dark plums. Powerful, long and lingering, loads of plum and raspberry fruit, spice and minerality, sitting neatly with savoury tannin and licks of vanilla.

There's always fun to be had when a member of the Pig family comes calling. This delicious 'cousin' is a succulent pink as good on the lips and tongue as it is on the eye. Lovely to look at, great aromas of ripe Summer fruits, and every bit as satisfying on the palate. Sip on its own, with fresh prawns or even a fresh fruit salad. It's delicious.

The winery takes its name from the family’s grand 1845 Corryton Park Homestead in Eden Valley, and the family name of siblings Trent and Amelia Burge – who along with highly celebrated Grant Burge are creating another chapter of winemaking glory for the Burge family name. This fine fresh, beautifully structured Cabernet Sauvignon uses fruit both from vineyards in the Valley and higher altitude ones around their Eden Valley homestead. Awarding it Double Gold the Gilbert & Gaillard judges noted its “Rich red colour with ruby reflections. Ripe black fruit on the nose, with hints of undergrowth and earth. The palate is deliciously fleshy, with invigorating, sweet tannins complementing the fruit admirably. A fine, solar vintage.”